Concrete pavements offer several advantages, including their durability and resistance to heavy loads, harsh weather conditions, regular wear and tear and less maintenance requirements than other paving materials.
These pavers, with their undulating edges and timeworn look, make an eye-catching feature in a country garden. Choose a grout color that either complements or contrasts for maximum effect.
Aesthetics
Concrete slabs Melbourne pavements are often chosen due to their strength, durability and long life cycle value; however, their visual appeal has also become an attractive selling point. Colored, textured or patterned concrete can take on virtually any look desired by designers; pavers even allow designers to mimic brick, stone work or boardwalk appearances!
Pavers can flex with changing soil conditions to avoid cracking or splitting, as well as being easy to repair if an individual paver becomes damaged or dislodged.
Civic leaders and people responsible for designing our communities increasingly prioritize creating concrete that appears natural and connected with nature. This practice, known as biophilic design, fulfills human need for natural materials and free-flowing patterns while increasing civic pride by giving life back into roads, parking lots and sidewalks.
Durability
Concrete is an extremely resilient material, offering great protection from both traffic and weather conditions. A concrete road is less susceptible to dips and rutting than its asphalt counterpart, ensuring its surface stays in good condition with reduced repairs costs.
Concrete pavements tend to last two or four times longer than asphalt ones and typically require less maintenance owing to less likely pothole formation, thus decreasing road closures and disruptive maintenance operations.
Paving can also be more environmentally-friendly than resurfacing an existing surface, as concrete is manufactured off-site in professional production plants instead of being constructed using slipform methods on site. Furthermore, many projects use prestressed concrete which helps minimize cracking by compressing it under compression reducing risk for cracks due to tensile stresses and therefore cracking. Furthermore, the process is quieter when compared with resurfacing an existing surface which uses loud machinery.
Maintenance
Concrete pavements offer unparalleled strength and durability, leading to low maintenance costs. Unfortunately, however, concrete is susceptible to damage if it’s not regularly maintained and repaired; small interventions can extend its lifespan and improve performance.
Maintaining paver paving requires clearing away weeds and disturbances to the ground surface, such as weed killer. Joints must remain free of obstruction to avoid trip hazards. Conversely, concrete needs more comprehensive maintenance that includes regular cleaning and resealing programs.
Concrete pavement is typically constructed with joints to accommodate for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, providing relief against expansion and contraction caused by temperature swings. These joints may be formed during the paving process or saw-cut after. Once the paved surface has reached its required strength, it is often textured for optimal skid resistance using burlap, artificial turf drag, wire brooming or even by rolling or combing plastic concrete with steel tines.
Budget
Concrete paving can be more cost-effective than natural stone while still looking swish and chic. Available in an array of shapes, sizes, colors and textures to meet modern properties as well as more rustic settings, it also works well to create timeworn looks perfect for cottage gardens.
Quality paved surfaces reduce slipperiness and provide higher returns than other forms of hardscape, adding value and helping preserve soil structure beneath them.
Materials used to make concrete can have an impact on its price, as will its size and scope. For instance, tree removal costs could increase your bill significantly before installation; similarly any site preparation work needed must also be considered when factoring the final bill in. Obtaining multiple quotes can help avoid additional expenses associated with installation work.