Concrete Driveways in Somerville, MA
Expert Concrete Driveway Installation That Lasts
At Somerville Concrete Masters, we are committed to providing you with an accurate description of what makes up a concrete driveway that will perform well for many years. Every concrete driveway we construct is built to stand up to the extreme New England weather conditions, high volumes of traffic from heavy vehicles, and the daily wear and tear of being a driveway that does not crack prematurely or settle over time.
The amount of stress your driveway endures is much higher than any other concrete area of your property. The freeze/thaw cycle. Exposure to salt. The weight of the vehicles driving on it. Extremes in temperature. We design every concrete driveway to be able to withstand all of the above.
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What Makes Our Concrete Driveways Different
We are a concrete driveway contractor based out of Somerville, MA; we concentrate on three main areas to create long-lasting driveways: the initial base preparation, pouring the concrete driveway at an adequate thickness to support your vehicle’s weight, and including reinforcing materials into each pour to prevent cracking. If you fail to complete one of these areas properly, you may need repairs within five years. By completing all of these areas properly, you can expect your concrete driveway to last 30+ years.
We begin our process by excavating and preparing the base under where your new concrete driveway will sit. This base will be compacted gravel, which allows water to drain through and keeps the ground from settling, creating unevenness. We then proceed to pour the concrete driveway slabs at the required thickness, depending upon your vehicle’s weight (4″ for standard vehicles, 6″ for those who park their trucks or RVs). All of our pours include wire mesh or rebar as reinforcing material.
Concrete Driveway Design Ideas and Options
We offer multiple concrete driveway designs to match your home’s style and your budget:
Broom Finish: This is a classic type of texture that gives traction and helps hide some minor flaws. The broom finish is also the least expensive type of driveway we install using concrete.
Exposed Aggregate: Exposed aggregate finishes show the stones that are contained within the concrete to give it a decorative and textured look. Exposed aggregate concrete driveway designs can give you a lot of visual appeal, but still maintain the strength and durability needed for a driveway.
Colored Concrete: Using integral coloring through the entire concrete or applying stain to the top of the concrete allows you to create colors that match your home perfectly.
Stamped Patterns: These patterns replicate the appearance of various materials, including tile, brick, and stone. For additional ideas on how to create your stamped concrete driveway, see our stamped concrete page.
The Concrete Driveway Installation Process
Here’s exactly what happens when we install your concrete driveway:
Site Prep: We remove the appropriate amount of soil to create the hole for the new concrete driveway. All old materials and organics that would settle are removed as well to help prevent settling of the new driveway.
Base Prep: The gravel base is installed, which will allow for drainage under the driveway slab to be properly laid on top of it to provide a solid base for the concrete driveway.
Forming: Forms are put in place to create the proper dimensions (width x length) and slope to allow for good water runoff from the concrete driveway.
Reinforcing: Rebar or wire mesh is added to the concrete to help prevent cracking and add extra strength to the concrete.
Concrete Laying & Finishing/Curing: Concrete is poured and spread to the proper thickness to ensure a uniform finish. After the concrete has been placed, it is finished with the surface texture you want, then it is cured to develop its full strength.
Concrete Driveway Overlay: Refresh Without Replacement
A concrete driveway overlay is an excellent alternative if you have a structurally sound driveway, with only the aesthetic appeal being damaged; rather than tear it all down and replace it entirely, we will put a new layer of special concrete on top of your old driveway. The result will be the same as having a completely new driveway – it will look beautiful, have a smooth surface, be durable for years to come, and be much less expensive and time-consuming than removing the entire driveway and starting from scratch.
We recommend a driveway overlay when the structural integrity of the driveway under the concrete is good, and the only damage is superficial (minor cracks, stains, etc.); therefore, no costly repair is necessary. We take the time to properly prepare the surface to ensure good adhesion between the new and old surfaces and complete a perfect finish that will hold up for many years and endure varying weather conditions. A driveway overlay offers a functional method to restore the beauty and/or curb appeal of your home with minimal disruption to the original driveway.
Concrete Driveway Installation Cost Factors
Concrete driveway quotes depend on several variables:
The size and required thickness of your concrete driveway affect how much concrete will be needed to complete your project. The design of your concrete driveway (i.e., whether it is a simple finished surface or an exposed aggregate surface, or a stamped pattern) will directly impact the time that our laborers need to spend working on your project. Excavation, site preparation, and accessibility to your project area, etc., may require additional equipment to be used during the completion of your project. We will generate a detailed quote for your concrete driveway project that itemizes each expense involved in completing your project so you can see exactly where your money is being spent.
We compete fairly as local concrete driveway contractors, yet maintain high-quality standards at competitive prices. You will receive open and honest pricing with no hidden charges or expenses.
