Concrete Driveways

Why Choose Concrete for Your Driveway

Your driveway is one of the first things people see when they visit your home. A well-built concrete driveway does more than just look good. It handles heavy vehicles, resists weather damage, and requires almost no maintenance for years.

Here in Lancaster, we see everything from hot summer days to freezing winters. Concrete stands up to all of it. Unlike asphalt, which softens in heat and cracks in cold, concrete stays solid and level. You will not need to reseal it every few years or worry about potholes forming after a hard winter.

When we install a concrete driveway in Lancaster, we start with proper ground preparation. The base needs to be compacted correctly, and drainage has to flow away from your home. These details make the difference between a driveway that lasts 30 years and one that cracks in five.

What Makes a Quality Concrete Driveway

Not all concrete driveways are built the same. The quality of your driveway depends on three main factors: the base, the concrete mix, and the finishing technique.

The Foundation Matters Most

We remove any unstable soil and replace it with compacted gravel. This base layer prevents settling and keeps water from pooling under your concrete. Many contractors skip this step to save time, but it always causes problems later.

Concrete Mix and Thickness

Standard driveways need at least 4 inches of concrete, but we recommend 6 inches if you park heavy trucks or RVs. The concrete mix includes the right ratio of cement, aggregate, and water. Too much water weakens the concrete. Too little makes it hard to work with and can cause surface defects.

We also add control joints every 10 feet. These are deliberate weak points that guide where cracks form. Instead of random cracks zigzagging across your driveway, any settling happens along clean, straight lines that are barely noticeable.

Finishing Touches

After we pour and level the concrete, we apply the right finish. A broom finish gives you traction in wet weather. A smooth trowel finish looks cleaner but can be slippery. We help you pick what works best for your needs. Some homeowners also choose stamped decorative concrete to add texture and color.

The Installation Process

Most concrete driveways take 3 to 5 days from start to finish. Here is what you can expect when we work on your property.

• •Day 1: We excavate the area, haul away old material if needed, and grade the site for proper drainage.
• •Day 2: We install the gravel base, compact it in layers, and set up the forms that shape your driveway.
• •Day 3: We pour the concrete, smooth it to the right grade, and apply your chosen finish.
• •Days 4-5: The concrete cures under protective covering. We cut control joints and clean up the site.

You can walk on your new driveway after about 24 hours, but you should wait a full week before driving on it. Full strength develops over 28 days, though it will be plenty strong for normal use well before that.

Weather affects the timeline. We do not pour concrete when temperatures drop below 40 degrees or when heavy rain is forecast. Proper curing conditions ensure your driveway reaches full strength. If you need other work done at the same time, we also handle concrete patios and walkways.

Common Questions About Concrete Driveways

Here are answers to questions we hear most often from homeowners in Lancaster and surrounding areas.