Ditch Plain Concrete: A Clever Trick That'll Give Your Driveway A More Custom Look

Although there are a number of driveway materials that go beyond it, concrete remains popular because it is affordable and hard wearing. However, even its biggest fans would probably admit that plain concrete is not the most attractive surface. Fortunately, there are a couple of clever tricks that can give it a custom look without forcing you to tear it up and start from scratch. The two techniques are called scoring and saw-cutting.

Both methods use a similar approach, and sometimes the words are used interchangeably, but generally speaking, they describe different processes. Scoring a concrete driveway is done entirely for decorative purposes, using cut lines that are around a ¼ inch deep. Commonly, these are made either square to the house or as diamonds. Further interest can be added by making the scoring more complex and by staining to create a checkerboard or other geometric patterns.

Saw-cutting goes deeper — typically between a quarter and a third of the thickness of the slab. When finished, this can look more like expensive pavers have been used. Saw-cutting your driveway can also reduce stresses in the surface, making it less likely to crack. Although it is possible to repair a driveway that has cracked, it isn't easy to conceal such damage. In a worst-case scenario, saw-cutting can guide the cracking so it doesn't look unsightly and is easier to fix.

Angle grinders are popular for cutting concrete, but they don't provide any form of depth control, so they aren't appropriate for scoring or saw-cutting your driveway. On the other hand, if you have a circular saw, which is high on the list of must-have power tools, you can swap the standard blade out for a diamond one, and you'll be good to go. You'll also need a dust mask and goggles. Concrete contains silica, which can cause severe respiratory problems when inhaled, so you definitely don't want to breathe in the dust. Wetting the driveway surface while you work will help reduce your exposure, but you and your saw can get very dirty in the process.

Contractors tend to use heavy-duty wet cutting tools that constantly supply water to the blade. You can rent these starting at around $100 per day, although there could be an extra charge for the blade or blade wear. These tools are typically large, walk-behind machines that can be challenging for inexperienced users to handle. If you're not confident in your ability to control one or to cut accurate lines in your driveway surface, it might be worth getting a couple of quotes from professionals before making your decision.