My blacktop driveway is in terrible shape, and needs to be replaced. I'm seriously considering replacing it with stamped concrete.

Has anyone here had any experience they want to share with stamped concrete?

 

I have friends who are in that business FP. It's really just a normal concrete driveway. Just before the concrete starts to setup, they apply these large square stamps, which can be of different looks, to brick, cobble stone, and they can dye the concrete to whatever color you would prefer...they can put borders in, and have a combination of the two. I like the cobblestone, and will do that in our next build if I ever get this place sold...good luck, make sure whomever you hire, they show you their work.

 

I have seen some that looked great new but cracked and pitted over time. You might also consider brick pavers. They adjust with movement of the soil thus never crack.

 

When I was younger I crashed on my bicycle on a stamped concrete driveway..... it hurt like he!!.

 

My daughter had it done in her back and side yards. Looks almost like slate. However, not sure I would do the drive. As posted earlier, just like concrete, it could crack over time. Not sure on the cost of pavers, but that is probably the way I would go for the driveway.

 

It's about 1/2 the price of pavers.

 

The pavers are much more labor intensive to install. But once installed, will virtually never change (maybe some darkening from dirt). The finish on the concrete will decline over time.

I guess it boils down to how much longer you plan to live in your home.

 

Yeah, I have pavers in my front walkway and patio, and I love them, but am concerned about how well they will wear on the driveway.

 

Installed properly, they will last the longest of any material. They need to compact the base well before installing the pavers. If there is a soft spot in the base, the pavers will sink a little. But that's easy to fix by removing the pavers, packing the base, and put the pavers back.

 

I have a concrete drive that has a couple cracks in it. My plan is to cover my drive with pebbles and epoxy.

 

Keep in mind that the topping can only be as strong as the base it's adhered to. So if your concrete is cracking, it will eventually crack the pebbles/epoxy topping.

 

Just make sure they use rebar and not just the wire mesh. My parents had their driveway done in concrete a few years back and it was done with rebar. They drive a F250 with trailer and a focus on it every day with no signs of cracking and/or wear. Like someone else already said. if it is done right there will be no problems.

 

In the northern states it is a pain during the winter, smooth is far easier to keep clean of ice and snow.

Maybe get it heated.

Looks nice though.

 

Just about all concrete will crack, it is the nature of concrete and is why contractors put in joints to allow it to crack in a straight line.

FP... this is a good read to help you make an informed decision. The truth about stamped concrete and the benefits of brick pavers

Deb

 

Thanks, the pebble and epoxy are an easy fix, I plan on filling the concrete crack with epoxy first.

 

Can not agree more . First house had the wire mesh and it cracked. This house I told the contractor that I wanted rebar. He asked what would be parked - told him the Ram 2500 and explorer . Reply Use Rebar backed up with the wire mesh and the black stuff [ can't remember the name] that they use to divide up the slabs of concrete.
15 years later not a single crack- still looks good - and my son has parked the dump truck from his work on it .

 

Experienced pavers in Germany for a number of years and there were some smaller towns that paved their streets that way. They will hold up IMO, and if one does break, it is a lot easier to replace that one than a section of the stamped molded parts of stamped concrete.

If you have the money, go with the paved drive, if not and you go with the stamped, make sure you seal it well; just like any concrete drive. However, sealing won't help you when the ground shifts.

 

I have paver's on my driveway and they have been in 19 years, I can see where the wheels go as they have made pronounced dips in in four places. The paver's have no marks on them and after I clean them they look like new, they do get dirty, especially under trees, a power wash makes them look new again. I should treat them with a sealant so they are easier to clean. Oil stains are a bit of a pain (not the Xfire) but they wash out reasonably with cleaners and then the traces just fade away. I have lifted and then relayed some bricks to even out the surface a bit, its easy to do.
Incidentally, the township decided to lay new curbs down the street and cut through driveway surfaces, they just lifted my bricks and when relayed it was like it always was, others had a new asphalt strip a foot wide that stuck out a mile away.

Concrete is popular around here as well, the secret is a good base that keeps the water from being trapped under the concrete. On clay soil this may be a problem as the base will get water logged if it cannot drain, so underground drains of some form each side are a must. We have sand around here, so we have no problem with drainage, far from it in fact. Concrete must expand freely and the movement must be allowed for in expansion joints or nasty cracks can occur. Just be sure you get a good contractor and look at his previous work, too many of these guys do business for one year and then start a new company the next. If you have any trouble they are gone as far as you are concerned.

 

It is very difficult to paint stamp contcrete. If you ever want to change the color you might run into some problems... just thought i add that in there since im in the coatings industry

 

You certainly have had lots of advice and opinions, but remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.