Tips For Painting Your Concrete Driveway
Gone are the days of gravel; concrete driveways are here to stay. But concrete— especially the usual grey concrete—can be boring, so you’ve decided to have it painted to make it look less dreary. The thing is there are some factors you need to consider before you give it a colourful makeover. And it’s not as easy as it sounds. Here are some tips for painting your concrete driveway according to our team of concreters on the Gold Coast.
Is the concrete slab still workable?
The first thing you must consider when painting your driveway is whether the slabs are still workable or not. Are they cracked or do they have holes in them? If they do have some cracks or holes, maybe it’s better to have them retouched first before you have them repainted. The same goes for slabs that have become uneven. Sometimes, you might even need to replace your driveway altogether if the damage is too severe.
How much does it cost?
The total cost of painting your driveway will largely depend on how large your driveway is, as well as the quantity and the quality of the material you’re going to use. If you’re going the DIY route, then it’s going to be cheaper because you’re only going to pay for the can of paint and the tools.
DIY or call a professional?
If you want to scrimp or your budget is pretty tight, then DIY is probably the way to go. But we recommend that you hire professionals, such as Concreters Gold Coast, as many things can go wrong when you do it on your own. Plus, we have expertise in stencilling and stamping driveways if you want something out of the ordinary.
What colour suits your driveway?
One of the most important questions is what colour suits your driveway. That largely depends on your home’s paint colour. If your home is painted white, then most of the colours available will look good in your driveway. White on white is always a good idea, resulting in a cleaner, brighter look for your property. A darker grey or even charcoal brings a touch of sophistication to your home, while colours like terra cotta and other browns can make your property look a little rustic and earthy.
A patterned driveway?
Yes, that’s entirely possible thanks to driveway stencilling. If you don’t like one solid colour for your driveway, then talk to our concreters on the Gold Coast to see which one’s perfect for you.
Is there any difference between painting a driveway and painting a house?
The process of painting the walls of your house and your concrete driveway is almost the same, but there’s a little bit of difference. Painting a house is pretty straightforward. First, you need to prep the walls and apply paint using a brush or a roller.
With a driveway (especially an old one), our team needs to get rid of oil stains, skid marks, and dirt first using a pressure washer. Once the surface is fully dry, we’ll get right to painting the concrete with a paint that is meant only for areas with high foot or vehicle traffic. The paint is applied using a roller for greater coverage in less time, while the edges are painted using a regular paintbrush. The paint is left to dry overnight before it is given a second coat.