New concrete driveway concern

[C2 Turbo]

Just had the concrete poured a week ago and don't like the way it looks. Thought about doing a colored concrete or the one that has the pebbley look but since total would be close to 10,000 sq/ft, decided to just do the plain concrete

Would this color die down a little bit or would I need to do something to make it less noticeable.

Thanks

 

[Chris705]

Within a year or two the color will become "dirty"...not sure that is the look you want but the rain will bring the dirt down onto the concrete and as long as it isn't sealed real well it will discolor. Takes time...

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

It will lighten as time goes on.
You could acid stain and seal it if you want to go bold.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Lots of garage doors. Do you have pictures of the inside of garages posted in another thread? If so, please give us a link. If not ... get some pictures up.

I had concrete pours in late October of 2014 and it looked and still looks pretty much the same. I suppose with the dark house/garage you wanted it a little darker.

These aren't very good pictures and the new concrete is pretty much covered with snow and ice right now. My building is a lighter color and I never thought too much about a darker color.

What we can see of your house and garage looks very nice.

 

[APEowner]

I'm doing a random dark mottled pattern on mine. I like to think it's trendy. My wife thinks I should fix the oil leak in the truck.

Seriously, I think you should wait a bit and see how you feel about it after the landscaping is done and you've had a while to get accustomed to it. I think it'll blend into the scenery once the new wears off.

 

[kwoody51]

Looks like a nice clean install! I had a new driveway poured about 1.5 years ago and it's still pretty "bright" like your. We have so much asphalt around here that I didn't recall how light new concrete is.

With it being a new house I'd focus on all the other things you likely get to tend to. Moving in, landscaping, etc. After you're done with those you might not notice the concrete as much or... you might just not care as much

I still want to seal my driveway but not sure if that will make the list for this summer or not...

PS - killer garage setup!!!!

 

[C2 Turbo]

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

Yes I agree, once the house is occupied and landscaped, may be it's not as noticeable and even if it did, may be I can seal/stain it.

Having said that, the concrete people did put a penetrating sealer in the concrete mix as they have always done for years.

No I have not started any thread about the house yet but I suppose I can.

Anyway, here's the front of the house, still working on the canopy (getting the inside stucco)

Not much done to the inside of the garages yet. Will post details witht he pictures tomorrow.

 

[kwoody51]

Might be different for your pour but for mine they also did a penetrating sealant but it was more to help control the curing, i.e. prevent it from drying out too quickly. This sealant lasted about a year and now most of my drive is normal porous concrete, albeit still a bright grayish white. A few spots up by the house that see little sun or rain I can still see the sealant.

Beautiful home! Remember to take lots of pics, especially before the drywall is up so you can see where all your wiring runs, plumbing and HVAC lines. Lot easier to know exactly where they are than try and guess!

 

[joes169]

I'm not sure I understand, is the driveway too light or too dark for your liking?

Lightening is tough, going darker is easier, but ideally, the selaer will need to wear off first.

 

[C2 Turbo]

Yes it is too light. So what are my options as to making it darker for a DIY'er?

 

[jhelrey]

Yes it is too light. So what are my options as to making it darker for a DIY'er?

I'll trade you homes! Then you don't have to worry about the driveway being too light in color...

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

All brick?

For 30 years I've wondered why so many houses in Indiana and Kentucky are all brick. In Wisconsin we have some brick houses (both new construction and existing), but they aren't as prolific as in Indiana and Kentucky. At one time I thought maybe the brick was made in Indiana and/or Kentucky and the transportation cost to Wisconsin was high, but then I thought in the grand scheme of things it wasn't material.

So ... any insight into why so many brick houses in your area?

 

[C2 Turbo]

Seriously, I think you should wait a bit and see how you feel about it after the landscaping is done and you've had a while to get accustomed to it. I think it'll blend into the scenery once the new wears off.

Agree but getting bit restless though lol

Looks like a nice clean install!
With it being a new house I'd focus on all the other things you likely get to tend to. Moving in, landscaping, etc. After you're done with those you might not notice the concrete as much or... you might just not care as much


PS - killer garage setup!!!!

Thanks..

All brick?


So ... any insight into why so many brick houses in your area?

Yes all brick and no have no clue as to why so many brick houses though

Here is one picture from the 3 garage side. The middle bay is ready to get a 2 post lift (14' celing) and the closet far right corner is where I will have the compressor.

The closet needs to be closed but the 9' doors are too dang expensive so I am just going to wait for now.

 

[Kevin54]

Once you get your grass in, it will help the driveway blend in. Plus like others have stated, it will lighten up some, and it will be dirty over time. And a few years from now, you'll probably powerwash the drive then stand back and admire how good it looks.

 

[dubber]

Can't help with the concrete colour but i'm Uber jelly of that garage, from the outside at least You sir should start up a thread, as there would likely be a lot of interest.