Decorative Driveways in Los Angeles - Make Your Driveway Pop

Most homeowners have a driveway. We all have driveways. But why settle for a drab grey slab when you could have a drive that is fab? You would be amazed how a few decorative flourishes in your concrete and transform your driveway and your home.

What is decorative concrete?

Concrete doesn’t have to be plain, grey, and boring. With a few elements, it can be a beautiful decorative embellishment to your home! What can you do with concrete? With stamping, polishing, overlays, acid-staining and other coloring methods, you can make your driveway mimic the look and feel of brick, wood, slate, and almost any other material you can think of.

Stamped Concrete for porches, driveways, and walkways

Stamped concrete is just what it sounds like -- freshly poured concrete is imprinted with decorations. Stamped concrete mimics the look of slate, flagstone, file, brick and even wood. Not only does the stamped concrete copy the look and feel of these materials, but it’s also more durable, easy to take care of, and cost-effective than these other materials. It can e ued on patios, porches, walkways, driveways and almost every surface you want convered with concrete. 

• Patterns: The most popular types of patterns with stamped concrete are natural stone such as slate and flagstone. Brick and wood patterns also are popular. You don’t have to stop there. You can incorporate a mix of different patterns to create a one-of-a-kind look for your driveway. Also, because the stamps are seamless, there are no joint patterns. 

• Colors: Why stop at just stamping the impression of slate or flagstone? You can also color the concrete to more closely mirror the look and feel of real stone, brick or wood.

• Cost:  Expect your stamped concrete driveway to cost between $8-$18 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the job.

• Maintenance: To keep your stamped concrete driveway looking like new, you should clean and reseal it every 2-3 years. You should remove any oil, grease or other spills as soon as possible, however.

Acid-stained and Colored Concrete for porches, driveways, and walkways

Not only can you stamp concrete, but you can add color to it to really give it a rich, natural look.

Concrete is colored one of two ways: either acid-stained or through a water-based color. 

Acid stains use acid to penetrate the surface of the concrete, creating a chemical reaction. Once the acid permeates, it becomes part of the concrete, meaning it can’t chip off or peel away.This kind of staining creates a richness that can’t be achieved by any other coloring method. The results can mimic everything from polished marble to natural stone or even stained wood. One thing to consider with acid stain is that it does have a limited palette, with acid stains usually limited to earthy tones, such as tans, browns, terra cottas and soft blue-greens.

Looking for a broader color palette? Consider water-based color. There are dozens of standard colors, even black, white and metallic tints. LIke acid stains, water-based stains penetrate the concrete to produce permanent color. 

Like wood stains, concrete stains are semi-transparent and meant to enhance the look of the concrete, instead of disguising the surface. They won’t hide any flaws or cracks on the surface and should not be applied over anything that can inhibit permeation, such as grease, oil, glue, sealers, coatings, or curing membranes.

Polished Concrete for porches, driveways, and walkways in Los Angeles

Looking for a driveway that really shines? Try polished concrete. Just like sanding wood, concrete can be sanded and polished to create a high-gloss finish. You’ve probably seen these in car dealerships or grocery stores.

Why polish your concrete? Because it’s:

• Easy to clean

• Available in a wide variety of colors and designs

• Cost effective because it doesn’t need to be replaced as often as other materials

• Easier to take care of as polished floors are not as vulnerable to damage as other materials

Concrete Overlays for porches, driveways, and walkways in Los Angeles

Already have a concrete slab and are just looking for a way to spruce it up? Consider concrete overlays. Using concrete overlays gives almost any concrete surface a complete face-lift and at a much lower cost than removal and replacement.

You can create almost any look with a concrete overlay -- from ultra-smooth to heavily textured. Overlays also can be stamped and colored, to give your driveway a unique, high-end look at a fraction of the cost of natural stone, bricks or slate. 

Not only does it look great, but concrete overlays perform! When currently applied and protected by a sealer or coating, an overlay should last indefinitely, even under heavy vehicle and foot traffic. The key is to reply sealer when overlays begin to show wear.

Best of all, you don’t have to demolish your current driveway to achieve a new look. Simply have any cracks addressed and repaired, then resurface your driveway the way you want. Voila! You’ll have a new, durable, low-maintenance and high-end looking driveway. 

Can I DIY my concrete driveway in Los Angeles?

As with any concrete project, there is a fair amount of planning, preparation and pacing needed to correctly install your new driveway. And, as with all concrete projects, there is only one chance to pour. There is no second-chance or going back to repair this kind of project. So, whether you install a grass strip driveway, extend your driveway, or repair your driveway apron, we suggest you hire a professional contractor.

The contractors at Concrete Decor Contractors have decades of experience. They will work with you to ensure that your new driveway not only looks fantastic, but is done correctly the first time. Call us at 818-722-8124 to find out how to take your driveway from drab to fab!