Concrete Driveways in Boston, MA
Durable Driveways Built for Boston's Climate
At Boston Concrete Works, our focus is on producing solid, visually pleasing concrete driveways that enhance the beauty of your home from the street and increase the value of your home. Our team has extensive knowledge of this region and uses state-of-the-art techniques and methods to create driveways that are durable and can withstand all types of weather conditions common to the Boston area. We also strive to produce driveways with an aesthetic appeal as well as structural integrity, so that you may enjoy years of curb appeal and ultimately a great long-term investment that will complement your home’s architecture.
Our installers have experience with installing driveways in one of the most extreme climate zones in North America and therefore utilize specific reinforcement and high-quality sealants to keep the driveway free from cracks and scaling due to winter freeze/thaw cycles and excessive application of de-icing salts. Additionally, we take pride in every detail of our installation process, which begins with excavation and base preparation and continues through to the finished coat of protection to ensure that your driveway will remain functional and aesthetically pleasing for generations.
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What is a Concrete Driveway?
A concrete driveway represents a long-term and cost-effective option for homeowners who want a safe and attractive entryway to their property and a space to park their vehicles. A concrete driveway is also a durable alternative to other types of driveways (i.e., asphalt or gravel) because it provides a hard and stable surface that will not shift or crack when driven upon by heavier vehicles. The driveway is one of the most important functional elements of an exterior area of a house and provides a connection between the garage and street, and adds great value to the overall appearance of the property (also known as curb appeal).
The primary advantage of a concrete driveway is that it can be built to last for decades, if maintained properly. With proper installation (a solid base and adequate thickness), a concrete driveway can withstand the test of time and be used for 30 years or longer with very little maintenance required. Additionally, homeowners have several options available to them when it comes to the finish of their driveway. For example, homeowners can select a simple, textured finish that has good traction, or they can choose a decorative finish that incorporates various stamp designs that reflect the architectural style of their home and/or surrounding landscaping.
Why Choose a Concrete Driveway?
- Long Lasting Durability:
- Concrete has been engineered to handle extremely high volumes of heavy traffic (from personal vehicles to large semi-trucks) without damage to its structure.
- Concrete is able to perform well in Boston’s extreme freeze-thaw conditions, since it is rigid and resistant to shifting and heaving that occurs in cold climates.
- Research from installation projects throughout the area indicates that the durability of concrete continues to hold up to the elements over time, allowing for a smooth and durable finish for years to come.
- Minimal Maintenance:
- Studies have shown that typical maintenance needs consist of an occasional power wash and seal coat application every few years.
- This type of maintenance plan results in significant savings in the long run due to the elimination of the need for frequent resurfacing of the driveway and the manual removal of weeds that grow between each paver stone.
- Customization:
- Concrete can be finished in a variety of ways, allowing owners to choose the best color and texture option for their home and landscape.
- In addition to the traditional gray finish, modern techniques now allow for a range of textured finishes, including broom, salt, and exposed aggregate finishes.
- These finishing options ensure that the homeowner will be able to create a unique and personalized appearance for their concrete driveway.
- Durable and Long Lasting:
- With the right maintenance, a properly installed and reinforced concrete driveway will last for more than 30 years.
- Due to the durability of the material, when properly maintained, concrete outlives many other types of pavement by decades.
- Therefore, a concrete driveway is one of the longest-lasting and least expensive exterior investments a property owner can make, as the need for replacement is much less frequently required compared to an asphalt driveway.
- Aesthetic Appeal Increases Value:
- As part of the overall aesthetic of your property, a well-maintained concrete driveway will increase your property value and improve the overall visual appeal of your property, increasing the likelihood of attracting potential buyers if you decide to sell your home.
- According to current real estate trends, an attractive, well-kept concrete driveway is typically considered one of the first and most important features that potential buyers see when viewing properties for sale.
Our Concrete Driveway Installation Process
We take pride in the way we construct each driveway. We use a systematic approach, breaking down the construction process into several phases.
- Evaluation of a Site: We assess your site to evaluate the slope, drainage characteristics, and soil types so we can recommend the best base thickness, whether additional reinforcement is required, and what kind of drainage would work best for the Boston area.
- Preparation of the Excavated Area: Based on the soil conditions at your site, we typically dig your site to 8-12 inches deep and lay a gravel base to create a solid base for your slab and to help direct the flow of water around your house and garage to avoid frost heave.
- Setting Forms and Grading: The forms are placed to create the right dimensions and edges. We also grade the area so that water flows off of your property and away from your house and garage, as is critical in Boston with its many rainy days and large amounts of snow that melt.
- Installation of Reinforcement: We will follow the engineers’ recommendations for installing reinforcing steel (rebar) or wire mesh into the base of the slab, to help mitigate cracking due to settling soils and the wide range of temperatures found in Massachusetts.
- Pouring Concrete: We will use the strongest rating of concrete available to us, including air entrainment, to increase the freeze/thaw durability of the concrete to withstand the extreme cold of Boston’s winters. When pouring the concrete, we will also make sure to add enough vibration to eliminate any voids in the slab.
- Finishing: Our finishing crew will produce the desired texture of the slab while still ensuring that there is a free-flow of water across the finished surface. Additionally, if desired, we can stain the concrete or expose the aggregate for a decorative look that fits in with the local architecture.
- Installing Control Joints: Strategically located control joints are designed to tell us exactly where the cracks in the slab will occur and to keep them as straight as possible to minimize the visual impact of the damage caused by the shifting of the ground.
- Curing and Sealing: Proper curing of the concrete will allow it to achieve its maximum strength. We will then apply a quality sealer to protect the concrete from damage caused by excessive moisture, heavy de-icing salts, and stains that are common in urban areas.
Our Concrete Driveway Services
Standard Concrete Driveway
A simple and sleek option that offers a clean, modern look and is a great option for most home styles. The standard concrete driveway offers a durable and low-maintenance surface that is a timeless option for the homeowner who wants a reliable and functional driveway.
Stamped Concrete Driveway
A stamped concrete driveway offers an attractive and functional option that incorporates visual interest. Stamping patterns are available to mimic the look of brick, cobblestone, or even natural stone. The stamped concrete driveway delivers the aesthetic of premium materials at a fraction of the cost while offering the same long-term strength and durability as a traditional concrete driveway.
Colored Concrete Driveway
With many different color options available, you can integrate your driveway with your landscaping by using our colored concrete options. We add pigment to the mix of the concrete to create a rich, fade-resistant color that will enhance the overall color palette and architectural character of your property.
Exposed Aggregate Driveway
Create a unique, textured finish that offers excellent traction in wet conditions with an aggregate-exposed driveway. The stones in the concrete are visible, which creates a beautiful, rugged, and slip-resistant surface that holds up to heavy traffic.
Permeable Concrete Driveway
Permeable concrete driveways allow water to drain through them, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly option that reduces runoff and supports the city’s “green” initiative. These specialized porous designs help to manage stormwater on-site and protect your property’s foundation and the local community from excess drainage issues.
Why Choose Boston Concrete Works for Your Driveway?
- Expertise Local to Boston: Our company is well-versed in Boston’s soils and local environmental and climate factors. Our local knowledge enables our company to anticipate potential problems with water drainage and soil instability associated with this geographic region.
- Materials of Quality: We utilize high-quality, mixed designs of concrete specifically formulated for the weather of New England. By carefully selecting the aggregate and additives used in the mix designs, we enable each driveway installation to withstand the extreme pressures from heavy snow equipment and the extensive application of road salt during the winter months.
- Highly Skilled Craftsmanship: Our staff members have many years of experience working together in the installation of concrete driveways. Every member of each crew has developed a high level of skill and expertise to bring to the jobsite; thus, every driveway installation will be poured, leveled, and finished to the highest levels of craftsmanship possible.
- Personalized Options: We offer a variety of design options to meet the aesthetic characteristics of your home. Whether you desire a classic historical appearance similar to cobblestone or a modern, sleek appearance, we can provide the necessary color and texture combinations to achieve your desired design.
- Long-Term Durability: Our driveways are engineered to last through both the extreme colds of winter and the extreme heat of summer. Our engineering process considers all temperature ranges in the state of Massachusetts, resulting in a durable driveway surface that will resist cracking and surface scaling throughout the entire year.
- Prompt Project Completion: We recognize the importance of your time and will adhere to the scheduled completion date(s) as outlined in your agreement with our company. In order to minimize the disruption to your day-to-day activities and to complete your driveway installation according to the schedule, we employ an effective project management system.
Maintenance Tips for Your Concrete Driveway
- Re-seal Your Driveway Every 2 – 3 Years: To protect the driveway through the best means available to extend its lifespan. Maintenance evidence has demonstrated that periodic sealing will create a protective barrier against water penetration and UV damage and significantly lengthen the life expectancy of the driveway surface. A high-quality, breathable driveway sealer prevents water from entering the pores of the driveway, and is the leading cause of deterioration (from inside out) of concrete driveways.
- Clean All Spills Immediately: Studies have shown that taking immediate action to clean up spills can make a huge difference in the longevity of the driveway, especially for oil, gas, and other auto fluids. If left to sit, these liquids can seep into the concrete and break down the bond between the aggregate (gravel) and cement, causing permanent staining of the driveway.
- Use De-icer Sparingly: De-icers are very effective at melting snow and ice, but will also damage the concrete and promote the freeze-thaw cycle. Sand is a great alternative for providing traction on slippery surfaces during cold weather and is safer for the driveway material over the long term because sand provides traction without damaging the finish.
- Fix Small Cracks Promptly: Before they grow into large ones. Research indicates that if you catch small cracks early enough in their development, you may be able to avoid bigger problems further down the road. For example, small cracks allow water to penetrate the base and eventually erode it, or allow the base to shift. Using a professional-grade filler to seal small cracks as soon as they occur will help keep the structural integrity of the driveway slab intact and delay the need for expensive replacement.
Ready for a Driveway That Impresses?
An uneven or cracked driveway has the potential to be an eyesore for your entire property. You don’t want anything like that to be the very first thing people see when they come to your house. That is where Boston Concrete Works comes into play. We will build a new driveway to increase the value of your property. A great driveway will create a lasting first impression.
We would love to provide you with a free consultation and quote today. Let us help pave the way to a better driveway for your home in Boston.
Phone: (617) 958-2158
Email: [email protected]
Boston Concrete Works – Driving Home Quality, One Driveway at a Time.
FAQs About Concrete Driveways in Boston, MA
Typically, the process takes 3-5 days:
- 1-2 days for removal of old driveway and site preparation
- 1 day for concrete pouring and initial finishing
- 1-2 days for curing before foot traffic
- 7 days before allowing vehicle traffic
While we can pour concrete year-round, winter installations in Boston require special techniques:
- Using heated enclosures to maintain proper curing temperatures
- Adding accelerants to the concrete mix
- Careful planning around weather forecasts We typically recommend scheduling driveway installations from spring to fall for optimal results.
- Seal the driveway every 2-3 years to protect against moisture and salt damage
- Use a snowblower or plastic shovel to remove snow; avoid metal shovels
- Apply sand instead of salt for traction in icy conditions
- Clean the surface regularly, especially in spring to remove winter debris
- Address any cracks promptly to prevent water infiltration and further damage from freeze-thaw cycles
Remember, a well-maintained concrete driveway can last for decades, even in Boston’s challenging climate. Trust Boston Concrete Works for a driveway that’s built to endure.