Written by David E. and published on https://www.finehomesandliving.com/
A professionally designed concrete driveway brings out the beauty of a home and enhances convenience. However, your driveway is likely to crack and wear out after some years.
For instance, driveways have a lifetime of 30 years, but longevity depends on many factors. Some of these include the concrete mix used, quality of installation, weather elements and the quality of maintenance. If your driveway is already showing signs of wearing out, you need to renovate it before the problem worsens. Here are a few factors you need to consider when renovating your driveway.
Effective Tips and Guidelines for Driveway Renovations
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Are the driveway and outdoor area of your property becoming drab and boring? Your driveway is the first thing your guests see when they come over, and it’s also what your neighbors notice all the time. Therefore, keeping it attractive and orderly is essential to boost your home’s appeal. Maintaining your outdoor area also makes it easier for you to decorate during festive seasons when it’s common to host parties.
If you’re looking for ways to update and beautify your driveway, then look no more. Below, we’ll enumerate several renovation tips to help you get started on your driveway improvement project.
One word: Clean
No amount of décor can mask a disorganized and untidy driveway. Before you can start adding aesthetically appealing elements, you must give it a thorough cleaning. Scrub away oil and chemical stains and remove nasty weeds that grow alongside or in the cracks of the concrete. Lastly, set your cleaner at high pressure and hose your driveway down completely to eliminate any remnants of debris, dirt, and dust.
Upgrade Your Gates
If your gates are damaged, scratched, have peeling paint, or worse, rusting, then it’s high time for a replacement. There are various types of driveway gates that you can install in your property. Simply be sure that the design and material you choose will suit the layout of your driveway and architectural style of your facade.
A few common types are slide gates, swing gates, vertical lift gates, and vertical pivot gates. As for the material, aluminum estate gates are quite a popular choice due to its sturdy and modern appearance. There are also other materials available such as vinyl, PVC, wrought iron, wood, and even bamboo.
Enhance the Lighting
Lighting helps improve any space. For example, it can highlight the silhouettes of plants and trees in your garden. Moreover, adding some fancy light fixtures like chandeliers can transform your dining room from dull to lavish. The same applies to your driveway. Try lining it with decorative lights for that burst of color. There are plenty of options available for outdoor lightings, such as energy-saving sensor lights, post lights, and battery-powered lanterns.
Go for Green
Adding some greenery can make your estate look more lively, welcoming, and visually pleasing. Kelly Roberson of Better Homes and Gardens suggests planting a low hedge of shrubs or dwarf flowering plants as these can soften the look of your driveway. You may also opt for evergreen shrubs if you want a crisp, manicured appearance. An elevated bed or border of colorful perennials is also a great idea.
When selecting plants, always consider their potential growth size (make sure that they don’t grow beyond mid-height) as well as their drought tolerance as outdoor areas are highly exposed to sunlight and heat.
Get Creative and Accessorize
As previously stated, during festive seasons, it’s common to decorate driveways to add fancy features. However, why wait for the holidays? You can make your driveway look wonderful all year round by investing in accessories like a water feature, wall murals, or pebbles and stones of different colors and textures.
Renovations can revamp your estate’s outdoor space. However, do take note that beautifying an area by incorporating decorative items is not enough to make up for damages. If your driveway needs repair, such as replacing aggregate or smoothing cracked surfaces, consult a professional and have it fixed first before dressing it up.
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