Get matched with top concrete driveway pros in Owls Head, ME

On average, concrete costs less than pavers for the same project. Standard broom-finished concrete costs from $2 to $15 per square foot. Stamped concrete costs between $8 to $28 per square foot. On the other hand, pavers cost from $8 to $50 per square foot. For any of these materials, the cost depends on which concrete finish or paver you choose. Keep in mind that the layout complexity, amount of site preparation, and location factor into the cost, too.

Drying concrete faster after rain is tricky because you’d need to increase the temperature or airflow over your slab, both of which are challenging to do outdoors. It can help to remove water from your concrete quickly, though, as the faster you remove rain from the surface, the lower the risk of the water affecting the ratio of your concrete mix. Use squeegees or mops to remove water, and consider covering your slab with a tarp to protect it from future rainfall.

Underlayment is the barrier between the concrete floor and the hardwood flooring. Adding this barrier is a vital step when installing hardwood over concrete, and it’s essential for protecting the wood from moisture coming from the concrete. Some adhesives are also manufactured to contain a moisture barrier that can protect hardwood from moisture, even if it’s glued directly to the concrete.

Sidewalks are concrete, not cement. Cement is merely an ingredient of concrete. To pour a sidewalk, driveway, or patio, you need to form the right mixture of concrete using cement, aggregates, and water. Pouring concrete requires special tools such as a concrete mixer, compactor, screeds, and floats. Unless you're pouring a small area, it's best to hire a concrete pro for a sidewalk or driveway project.