Concrete Driveway Vs. Exposed Aggregate Driveway: Which One Is Better?

To know the difference between a concrete driveway and an exposed aggregate driveway, first you have to know what is concrete and what is exposed aggregate. Concrete is a mixture that contains cement, whereas aggregate is a mixture of sand and stones. When the mixture is done, it smoothens out to give it the texture you need it to be, when the exposed aggregate driveway is concerned, it is made up of a much similar concrete mixture but after it gets solid the top layer gets removed to unveil the aggregate surface underneath. In case you want to get a driveway done in front of your apartment or your office, you need to learn the basic difference between these two variants so that you can make a better choice. You can also take help from your nearest professional pavement service retailers to help you out in choosing the right fit for you. Now, let's look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of driveways.

Concrete Driveways

Advantages of Concrete Driveways

• One of the main advantages of concrete driveway is that it requires nearly zero maintenance in comparison to exposed aggregate driveways.
• With a very little amount of care, it can last you up to almost 30 years, which is way more than any other driveways.
• When compared to other types of driveways, concrete driveways has better withstand against extreme weather conditions. It also requires very rare repairs compared to the exposed aggregate driveway.
• Most importantly when it comes to cost-effectiveness, concrete driveways are less expensive than the exposed aggregate driveways. It costs nearly about $7-$9 per square foot, which is nearly half of what exposed aggregate driveways needs. So if money is your main concern you should blindly go for concrete driveways.

Disadvantages of Concrete Driveways

Now let's look at some of the disadvantages of concrete driveways:

• In case your main concern is the looks, then concrete driveways might not be the best option for you.
• Concrete driveways can get tinted and stained if something drops on them, and that stain or tint is not removable.
• It is not as much decorative as other high-end driveways like the exposed aggregate driveway.

Advantages of Exposed Aggregate Driveways

This exposed aggregate driveway is much more expensive than simple concrete driveways, but it has a lot more to offer than the other types as well, so let's look at some of its advantages below,

Exposed Aggregate Driveways

• As these are available in several different colors, textures, and designs, it can be suitable for any type of houses. No matter what the color of your house is if you want to match it with the driveways you can surely do that.
• As far as grip matters, you can make your exposed aggregate driveway to skid-free by choosing the rigged texture for the surface.
• These types of driveways are extremely durable and also weather-resistant, which makes it even more attractive.

Disadvantages of Exposed Aggregate Driveway

• It is extremely prone to damage than the usual types of concrete driveways. That's why it needs to be sealed quite often depending on its usage.
• The topmost layer, which is the decorative layer of the exposed aggregate driveway, it is more likely to catch dirt and dust, and are quite tricky to clean as well.
• Unlike concrete driveways, this one needs more care and attention in general and even while cleaning.

These basic advantages and disadvantages of concrete and exposed aggregate driveways will surely help you in choosing the right option.