Call us today! (931) 627 - 6540
Call us today! (931) 627 - 6540
In terms of paving materials, concrete isn’t the only choice. Asphalt is a popular construction material alternative especially for applications like driveways, sidewalks, parking spaces, etc. When compared, the materials have strengths and weaknesses. It’s up to the builder to decide which suits the project best. Some important considerations when selecting between these materials are appearance, cost, and maintenance factors.
Concrete wins hands down. There’s not much visual variety to asphalt, which is limited to gray or black, and virtually no finishing options to speak of. Concrete flatwork is the complete opposite, offering a multitude of finish, color, texture, and pattern options that make it stand out from any paved surface.
Installing asphalt is generally cheaper than concrete, averaging $4.00 to $5.00 per square foot. In comparison, concrete costs about $4.00 to $6.00 per square foot without finishes and detailing. When service life is considered, however, concrete is more cost-efficient in the long-run than asphalt, which the following section explores.
Asphalt’s material composition requires constant maintenance (like sealing) every two years to maximize its average 20-year service life. Concrete doesn’t need constant sealing and can last for 30+ years.
Most of the world’s ubiquitous and recognizable man-made structures — highways, skyscrapers, bridges, houses — are testaments to the versatility of the most commonly used construction material on Earth: concrete.
What makes concrete such a popular construction material is its dynamic composition. When newly mixed, concrete can be transported and applied, or poured, easily, but when it hardens it becomes the strong, durable material we know so well.
People have discovered and developed numerous applications for concrete. One of its more notable uses is as the material for concrete flatwork. As the name implies, this type of construction job entails pouring concrete on a horizontal plane, creating a perfectly flat and smooth surface.
Concrete flatwork installations are popular with property owners due to the material’s strength and decorative options. Much like any concrete application, however, there’s more to flatwork than just pouring and finishing: with structural integrity as one of its selling points, using premium quality concrete should always be standard. The precise mixture of aggregates, proper curing, and careful application techniques ensure that the concrete isn’t damaged even after going through different finishing methods.
Various finishing methods produce different effects, depending on the purpose of the flatwork job. For example, smoother finishes work best for indoor flatwork, while brush-textured concrete is ideal for exterior flatwork (smooth finishes make concrete slippery when wet).
Concrete flatwork’s durability and finishing options provide an excellent base for its decorative possibilities and other paving alternatives like asphalt. Decorative flatwork techniques give much-needed cosmetic enhancements to what is otherwise just bland, gray concrete. Home builders use a variety of methods to apply texture, color, stamping, etc. on flatwork to mimic the look of other, often more expensive, surface materials.
Thanks to concrete’s workability, designers can make ordinary flatwork look like brick, flagstone, hardwood, marble, cobblestone and more. These aesthetic options help complement both interior designs and liven up facades (forming patterns with stamped concrete).
Builders have found plenty of uses for a material as versatile as concrete in flatwork projects for residential and commercial purposes. Driveways, courtyards, patios, pool decks, walkways, and garage floors are just some of the residential applications of concrete flatwork, mostly due to its inventive visual appeal.
Commercial and industrial property owners, meanwhile, recognize the material’s durability by installing concrete flatwork on their parking lots, warehouse floors, loading docks, access ramps, curbs, and sidewalks.
Concrete flatwork is installed in slabs, which is partly responsible for its trademark strength — it also makes concrete much harder to repair if it is damaged. Unless the problem is surface-level, concrete repairs can prove costlier. With proper care and maintenance, however, property owners can avoid bogging down their budget with undue repair jobs.
As mentioned before, concrete flatwork comes in slabs which are prone to floating during flood situations. Hire a reputable contractor to install a drainage system that covers any flatwork area (porches, driveways, sidewalks, etc.). Good drainage prevents excess water from carrying concrete slabs away from foundational walls.
Sudden shifts in temperature can damage the surface bond on concrete. This can happen, for example, when spraying cold water on a hot concrete driveway or garage floor. Ditch the hose and sweep the surface instead.
Concrete shrinkage occurs over time, which can cause cracks or gaps to appear next to expansion joints. If you want to address the problem immediately, fill in the cracks with gray silicone sealant (available at any hardware store). If you feel you aren’t up to the task, contact a professional to do it.
This is particularly advisable for outdoor flatwork, as they are constantly exposed to corrosive materials like acids and salts. Use a film-forming sealant with solvent-based acrylic to let moisture escape easily and ensure lasting protection for the concrete surface.
We specialize in: courtyards, fire pits, basement additions, sidewalks, stamping texture, stain concrete, walkways, warehouse floors, access ramps, loading docks, house and barn slabs, & retaining walls. Concrete can be added anywhere and any shape.
Want more info? Please call us today!
We can increase the value of your property. If you need to redesign or repair your driveway, pool deck, walkway or steps let us help you beautify your property. Our employees are trained to provide you with unmatched quality, work, and satisfaction.
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