30m² brushed concrete driveway laid alongside a parked car in Woodhouse, Sheffield

Brushed and Slab Concrete

Concrete Driveways Sheffield

Durable concrete driveways for Sheffield homes and commercial properties on a properly prepared, steel-reinforced base.

  • Rated 4.8 on Google
  • 50+ five-star reviews
  • £2m+ in projects delivered
  • Fully insured
  • Free quotes
  • Built for heavy use Ideal for vans, trucks, caravans and trailers
  • Steel-reinforced A rebar grid goes down before the concrete is poured
  • 30+ years If you keep on top of any issues

Strong and Low Maintenance

Concrete Driveway

A concrete driveway provides a very strong, durable, low-maintenance option, ideal for driveways which are likely to see a lot of heavy-duty activities.

Our team of groundwork experts can help you plan the ideal concrete driveway, understand what expansion joints may be required, where water can run off to and how best to edge and border your concrete driveway.

If you are looking to widen the entrance to your driveway, you may want to increase the width of your dropped kerb as well. We can carry that out for you too, along with building a new front garden wall if you need one.

Brushed concrete driveway newly laid in Wincobank, Sheffield
Brushed concrete driveway, Wincobank

How We Lay It

Concrete Driveway Contractors

Before installing the concrete finish, a suitable sub-base needs to be formed with gravel, and an edge, typically wooden planks, laid to contain the concrete. Since concrete on its own has low tensile strength, a grid of metal rebar is typically laid in a criss-cross manner in the area before a high-quality concrete is poured over it.

  1. Mini digger and dug-out ground ready for a new concrete driveway in Sheffield
    1 Dig out

    The ground is dug out and prepared for the new drive.

  2. Levelled sub-base laid ready for the concrete on a Sheffield driveway
    2 Sub-base

    The sub-base is formed and levelled, with an edge to hold the concrete.

  3. Steel rebar mesh laid across the sub-base before the concrete pour in Sheffield
    3 Rebar

    A criss-cross grid of metal rebar is laid for strength.

  4. Concrete being spread across a driveway in front of a semi-detached house in Sheffield
    4 Pour

    High-quality concrete is poured and spread over the area.

  5. Finished brushed concrete driveway in Wincobank, Sheffield
    5 Finish

    The surface is finished, with joints where the drive needs them.

Depending on the nature of your driveway, expansion joints between concrete sections may need to be included. The inclusion of good quality mastic in these joints should retard the growth of weeds. Our driveway gallery has more concrete driveways.

Is It Right for You?

Why Choose a Concrete Driveway?

The main reason for choosing concrete or concrete slabs will be down to its strength and durability, along with the low maintenance requirements. If you are likely to be using your driveway for parking a works van or truck, parking a heavy caravan or trailer, or carrying out maintenance work, then a concrete driveway is likely to be a good choice.

Curing and sealing

Please be aware, though, that during the concrete curing process it would be best not to park vehicles on it for the first week, and ideally keep really heavy vehicles off the driveway for a few more weeks. Then a month or two after curing we’d come back to seal the concrete.

Whilst not all companies seal concrete, it is good practice to do this and to repeat it every 2–5 years to maintain the protection from water ingress, which will help the longevity of your concrete drive.

Long concrete driveway beside a caravan in Attercliffe, Sheffield
Room for the caravan, Attercliffe

Costs

Cost of a Concrete Driveway

Guide price

Around £70

per m² as an initial start point, with each driveway priced on its own considerations

As a driveway option, concrete is more expensive than asphalt to lay, but as mentioned its longevity does make it cost-effective long term, and it is less expensive than paving or stone options.

However, the aspect which may not be so appealing is the aesthetics, where standard grey can be viewed as quite dull, unless you decide to upgrade to a patterned concrete alternative.

Again, each individual driveway will have its unique set of considerations, but a ballpark figure for concrete of around £70 per m² provides an initial start point.

  • Size of the driveway
  • Ground condition and slope
  • Access to the driveway
  • Expansion joints and drainage

Aftercare

Concrete Driveway Maintenance

As mentioned, a poured concrete driveway is one of the most hard-wearing driveway choices you can make. As with any driveway, its lifespan will be dependent on usage and how well it is, or isn’t, looked after.

If damage does occur, repair work should be carried out as soon as possible to prevent the damage from increasing. Typically, once a surface layer is broken, the cracked area is prone to capture debris, seeds and weeds in the summer, and if water gets into a crack and freezes, the expansion of the ice is likely to make any damage far worse.

If you keep on top of any issues, you should expect your concrete driveway to last well past 30 years. Regular driveway sealing helps too.

Our team levelling fresh concrete on a driveway in Sheffield
Levelling a fresh pour

Other Surfaces

Compare Other Driveway Options

Herringbone block paving driveway with charcoal block edging in Sheffield

Block Paving

Another strong surface, where a damaged block is simply replaced.

Block paving driveway part way through a jet wash, showing the cleaned and uncleaned sections

Driveway Cleaning

Lift dirt and staining from an existing drive before it’s resealed.

Where We Work

Concrete Driveways Across Sheffield

We lay concrete driveways throughout Sheffield and South Yorkshire, including Woodhouse, where we laid the 30m² brushed concrete driveway pictured at the top of this page.

Finished brushed concrete driveway in Wincobank, Sheffield

Free Quotes

Local Concrete Driveway Contractors

Contact Driveways Sheffield, your local concrete driveway contractors, any time through our contact form, or call 0114 551 7111.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Concrete Driveway Questions

What are the benefits of having a concrete driveway?

Having a concrete driveway offers several benefits. First and foremost, concrete driveways are extremely durable and long-lasting. They can withstand heavy loads and are resistant to cracking, making them a cost-effective option over time.

How long does a concrete driveway typically last?

A concrete driveway typically lasts for around 30 to 40 years with proper care and maintenance. The longevity of a concrete driveway is attributed to its durability and ability to withstand heavy loads and harsh weather conditions. However, the lifespan of a concrete driveway can be affected by various factors such as climate, usage, and maintenance practices.

Regular cleaning, and addressing any cracks or damage, can help extend the lifespan of a concrete driveway. Overall, a well-constructed and maintained concrete driveway can provide years of functional use and good looks.

What maintenance is required for a concrete driveway?

Maintenance for a concrete driveway typically includes regular cleaning and sealing. Cleaning can be done by simply using a broom or a pressure washer to remove dirt and debris. Sealing the driveway is essential to protect it from damage caused by weather conditions and regular wear and tear. This should be done every few years to maintain the integrity and appearance of the concrete.

Additionally, any cracks or damage should be repaired promptly to prevent them from worsening and causing further issues. Overall, maintaining a concrete driveway requires regular cleaning, sealing, and minor repairs to ensure its longevity and functionality.

Can you customise the appearance of a concrete driveway?

Yes, it is possible to customise the appearance of a concrete driveway. Concrete can be coloured, stamped, or stained to achieve different desired looks. Colouring can be done using pigments that are mixed with the concrete before it is poured, allowing for a wide range of colour options.

Stamping concrete involves creating patterns or textures on the surface of the concrete, giving it the appearance of other materials such as brick, stone, or tile. Staining involves applying a chemical stain to the concrete, which reacts with the minerals in the concrete to create a unique, translucent colour. By using these techniques, homeowners can personalise the appearance of their concrete driveway to complement the overall look of their property.

Are concrete driveways more expensive than other driveway materials?

Concrete driveways can be more expensive than other driveway materials if you decide to go for a patterned concrete finish, but if not, it is one of the more cost-effective options.

The cost of a concrete driveway can vary based on the size of the driveway, the complexity of the design, and the region where it is being installed. Additionally, the cost of concrete itself can fluctuate, which can impact the overall cost. However, when compared to other materials like asphalt or gravel, concrete driveways tend to have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.