Concrete driveways are a very popular choice among Minnesota homeowners due to the durability the surface offers in hot summer months as well as harsh winter conditions. Not only can concrete driveways last 3-4x longer than asphalt and gravel driveways, but they also require less maintenance making the long-term cost of ownership cheaper.
We are proud to handle every project in-house with our team of experienced concrete professionals, never handing off the work to cheaper subcontractors. When you work with us, you can trust that we will be with you every step of the way. Enter your text here…
Concrete driveways offer ultimate flexibility when it comes to style and aesthetics. From exposed aggregate and stamped patterns to integral colors and textures, you can design your concrete surface to match the style of your home.
A traditional broom finish offers a uniform brushed texture to your concrete surface. This is a great option for homeowners who are looking for a slightly rough finish with some extra traction.
Color your concrete driveway to match your home’s aesthetic. Our integral color add-on is a fairly simple process where we add pigment to the concrete mixture, allowing us to adjust the final color of your concrete driveway. With a wide variety of colors to choose from, you can easily match the color scheme of your home.
Concrete texture stamps are an excellent way to add unique, large format textures to your driveway. Stamps are often combined with integral colors to create a beautiful surface that resembles large slabs of slate or other decorative stone surfaces.
Texture patterns are best for creating complex, small format patterns resembling brick, pavers, or cobblestone. These patterns are commonly combined with colored pigments to create a high end finish at a fraction of the cost.
Exposed aggregate offers a unique, glossy finish that accentuates the small rocks of the concrete. This unique style is achieved by spraying a retarding agent on the surface after its poured, then covering it with a sheet of polyurethane. Once it is cured, we clean the surface with an acid wash to expose the aggregate. Once the surface is clean, we apply a high-gloss sealer to achieve the final glossy look and extend the life of the surface.
The cost of a concrete driveway primarily depends on the size, style, and shape of the surface. A large circular driveway with integral color stamps will be significantly more expensive than a standard straight concrete driveway with no modifications to the color or surface texture.
To learn more about how much your concrete driveway will cost, contact our team today for a free consultation.
Concrete driveways require minimal maintenance but there are a few things you should keep in mind to maximize the life of your new driveway.
In the winter, it’s important to avoid using harsh chemicals and de-icing agents. When you shovel your driveway, we recommend using a plastic shovel or plow to prevent any chipping of the edges. While these are the same general rules for most driveway surfaces, we want to give you the best advice to maximize the life of your driveway.
The only maintenance task that is unique to concrete driveways is to apply a concrete sealer every 2-3 years to protect against moisture intrusion and reduce the chance of cracking during freeze-thaw cycles. Reapplying sealing is a little more important if you select a stamped, textured, or colored concrete surface.
Your concrete driveway should last 20-30 years with the proper maintenance. Minnesota’s harsh winters and hot summers can take a toll on concrete surfaces, but this goes for virtually all common driveway materials. The key to maximizing the lifespan of your concrete driveway is to take care of cracks early. Letting a small crack go untouched through a Minnesota winter will almost certainly result in a significantly larger crack in the spring. Taking the time to apply a sealer over the cracks will ensure your concrete driveway reaches its full lifespan.
The curing time of your concrete driveway can vary due to size and composition differences of each surface, but in general you can walk on it within 48 hours and drive on it with standard vehicles after 7 days. Please refer to the chart for a complete breakdown of concrete driveway curing times.
0-24 Hours | 24-48 Hours | 7 Days | 30 Days | |
Light Foot Traffic | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Drivable with Light Vehicles | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Fully Cured and Ready for Use | No | No | No | Yes |