When it comes to selecting a surface for your driveway, you may be torn between concrete and asphalt – the two most popular driveway options. But nothing beats the look, feel, value and durability of concrete. Here a few reasons you should choose concrete for your driveway.

Curb appeal, right to the curb

A concrete driveway makes the right first impression. It’s literally the first thing guests walk or drive up when they come to your house. Concrete’s clean look is always attractive. Concrete will also bounce any available light when it’s dark out, making it more visible at night, especially when compared to asphalt. Prospective homebuyers will always pick concrete over asphalt too, making your house more attractive if you ever choose to sell.

Clean and comfortable

If you’ve ever walked barefoot on asphalt on an August afternoon in Saskatchewan, you already know how scorching hot it can get. It can also get tacky in high heat and you risk tracking oily asphalt sealer into your house and other parts of your yard. Concrete keeps you and your feet cool, clean and comfortable in any weather. It doesn’t trap heat like asphalt and is easy to sweep. Concrete’s non-skid surface also makes it safer to walk and drive on, especially in wet or winter weather.

Built to last

Concrete is one of the most durable driveway materials out there. While it may cost a bit more than materials like asphalt, you will save money in the long term. Concrete usually lasts close to three times as long as asphalt, which equals less repair and replacement costs. It also takes less maintenance than asphalt, which requires reapplication of oily, smelly and messy asphalt coating every few years.

A concrete driveway is an investment in long-term beauty for your house that’s easy to care for. Contact our team today to discuss the perfect driveway option for your home.

The post Concrete Reasons For the Best Driveway Possible appeared first on Textured Terrain.

There’s a few things to consider when keeping your driveway and walkways free from snow and ice this winter.

Shovelling. Scraping. Chipping. Snowblowing. It’s a rite of passage for every Saskatchewan homeowner from November to (hopefully) February. And while it’s not on anyone’s list of favourite winter activities, there are things you can do to make snow removal a little easier, and ensure you’re not damaging your driveway.

The right tool for the job

Winters in Saskatchewan can throw more than one thing at you, so you should have more than one snow removal tool to deal with it. If you’re shovelling, have a smaller, ergonomic shovel to save your back when scooping and throwing snow, a larger snow pushing shovel to plow through and move deep snow, and pointed shovel to chip through ice and packed snow. And be sure to move small, manageable loads of snow and take frequent breaks if there is a lot of snow– the combination of physical exertion and cold weather can cause cardiac arrest or heart attacks, especially in middle-aged people, those with a more sedentary lifestyle or anyone who is at high risk for a heart attack.

If you get a snowblower, get the right one for your situation. You don’t need a heavy-duty beast of a machine if you have a small driveway, and a small, underpowered machine will leave you frustrated if you have a long, winding driveway.

Say no to cracks

Cracks in driveways that occur during the winter usually happen as snow melts into water, seeps into the concrete or asphalt, then refreezes and expands. Keeping your driveway and walkways as clear as possible will help this, as well as shovelling snow to a place that angles away from your property, so any melting snow does not run back onto the area you cleared.

The de-icer you choose can also cause cracks. Rock salt, while being the cheapest de-icing option, can seep into cracks or pores in your concrete and actually attract water, causing cracks or making existing cracks worse. And because it only works at a higher temperature it can cause more frequent thaw and freeze cycles, which can cause more cracks. Calcium chloride is a much better option as it has a lower freezing point and will cause less damage. However chloride can be toxic to pets, so be cautious or be sure to buy a clearly marked “pet-friendly” alternative. Cutting your de-icer with sand will also improve grip on ice and make you de-icer last longer.

If you are experiencing cracks or driveway damage we can help – the team at Textured Terrains are experts at driveway removal and replacement. Check out our driveways page to see some of our recent projects and contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss your project.

Happy shovelling!

The post Keep your driveway clean and crack-free this winter appeared first on Textured Terrain.

Did you know that Textured Terrain now offers all inclusive garage packages built just for you! Right from the concrete pad right up to shingles! We can build you a garage that meets your exact specifications.

So whether you want to upgrade your home, add to your property value or protect your expensive auto investment Textured Terrain can help.

Call us today for a free estimate – 306-533-8251.

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