Concrete is a very popular material for walkways for multiple reasons. It’s very durable, can work in most settings, and is rather affordable. However, it does have a few drawbacks. As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to look at different materials and determine their benefits and disadvantages. You also have to consider things like your climate, budget, and how much work you’re ready to put into maintaining your walkways, among others. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of concrete walkways to help you in your decision.
Pro – Durability
The main reason why so many people go over concrete is because of how durable it is. Concrete will look great for years even in high traffic areas and doesn’t require much maintenance. If you treat it properly, concrete will last for more than 20 years.
Con – Repairs Can be Difficult
One thing with concrete, however, is that repairs are a bit more complex than with other materials. If you use brick or pavers for your walkways, for instance, you’ll only need to replace a few pavers or bricks when performing repairs. With concrete, the whole section will have to be removed and replaced. Know that concrete rarely requires repairs, but this depends on many factors like the level of foot traffic, your climate, and how it was installed, among others.
If your concrete driveway was installed by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, you might have to deal with cracks, which can be expensive. A good contractor, on the other hand, will choose the right materials for your walkway, use the right depth for the foundation, and do everything to code, which will reduce the chances of cracks to a minimum.
This is why we would suggest that you only hire an experienced team like Rock Solid Exteriors for concrete walkways. A team that specializes in these types of walkways will be able to do a great job and make sure that your walkways will look great for years to come. They will be ready to back the quality of their work as well.
Pro – Appearance
Concrete is one of the most gorgeous materials you can find and it’s extremely versatile. You can get regular concrete, or you can get it in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and finishes. You can stamp concrete to make it look like brick or pavers, which will make it look much more luxurious. Concrete has a nice polished and professional look to it, which makes it the perfect material to instantly up your house’s curb appeal without spending too much.
Con – Staining
One thing you have to know with concrete, however, is that it is prone to staining. So, if you love to do some heavy work around the house, you’ll have to be careful when using your walkways as they may start changing color over time.
Concrete could be a great walkway material for some and horrible for others. This is why you need to learn about different materials and speak with an expert who will educate you on your options.
