Driveway Finish Ideas

Textured Finishes

• Mixing river rock or colored pebbles into the concrete to finish your driveway with a textured appearance can result in an stunning appearance. Another way to add color to your driveway is to mix rock glass to the mix. Rock glass comes in an array of colors, including yellow, green, red and blue. It has a smooth, glass-like appearance but is not as prone to breaking as glass. Crushed glass can be used as well, with a seal over the top of the driveway to ensure the glass is embedded in the concrete and won't puncture tires.

Colored Concrete

• Colored concrete is a nice change from ordinary gray. Colored concrete is created through the process of acid staining or dyeing. In most cases, dyeing the concrete before it is put down provides a more uniform color than acid staining and requires less work. Coloring your driveway to match the landscaping of your yard or the colors in your home can intensify the color scheme, making colored concrete an ideal driveway finish.

Concrete Stamping

• Concrete stamping adds patterned or other graphic elements to the finish of your driveway, giving it an artistic appeal. Many contractors offer these services. Stamping include tile patterns, animals and geometric shapes, allowing you to customize the appearance to suit your interests or intention. Stamping is often used to create decorative borders on each side of the driveway in conjunction with a textured finish.

Bricks, Cobblestone and Bluestone

• Bricks, cobblestone and bluestone offer the opportunity to create beautiful driveway finishes, but they can be expensive to purchase and difficult to maintain. The inherent separation between the stones, even with the tightest positioning, allows weeds to grow through them. Brick can be expensive. Another option for those who want to have some brick in the finish is to use it as a decorative element, combining it with traditional concrete and adding brick decorative elements set into the concrete.

Pebble and Gravel

• Pebble and gravel driveways are simple and less expensive. Some people prefer the simplicity of this type of driveway, which can vary in appearance depending upon the type of gravel or pebbles you use. River rock and colored pebbles can be attractive, but without something to hold them in place, your driveway is less permanent and subject to washing out when it rains.