How to Choose a Stain Color for Your Concrete Driveway
Staining your concrete driveway is a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal at a relatively low cost. However, the fact that there are so many shades available to pick from can make it challenging to know which color would be the best option. Following are some points to consider when choosing a shade for your concrete driveway.
Current Trends and Curb Appeal
Do you intend to sell the home at some point in the future? If so, you’ll want to avoid overly bright colors to ensure your home appeals to a wide range of prospective buyers. Brown, tan, beige, black, and gray are some of the most popular stain colors because they complement the exterior of most homes without standing out too much. Choosing a single color rather than a custom color scheme will likely be your best bet, as a solid color makes it possible for a new homeowner to change the exterior decor of the home without worrying about it matching up with a multicolored driveway.
It can be a good idea to look at homes around your neighborhood before you choose a shade to ensure your new driveway matches well with the local neighborhood. You don’t have to pick the exact same color your neighbors did; however, you do want to avoid choosing a color that clashes with the driveways on either side of your home.
Picking Colors that Complement the Home’s Exterior
You don’t want a driveway that’s the exact same color as your home’s exterior. Rather, pick a shade that complements the home’s exterior paint color. For example, if your home is white and has dark brown trim, you may want to choose a driveway shade that’s the same color as the trim to give your home a uniform look. Alternatively, you may want to choose the same color as your home’s exterior but use either a darker or lighter shade.
Style is yet another point to keep in mind when choosing a stain color. Does your home have a modern, contemporary vibe? If so, a black driveway may be just what you’re looking for. On the other hand, if your home has a homey, casual vibe, you may want to consider light beige or light gray with a touch of blue.
Light vs. Dark
If your driveway gets a lot of use, it may be wise to pick a dark color for your driveway to hide stains and tire marks. However, bear in mind that dark colors absorb light, which could make them a poor choice if you live in an area that gets very hot in the summer. What’s more, dark colors can make a narrow driveway seem even shorter and narrower than it really is.
Light shades don’t hide stains very well. However, the fact that they reflect light makes them a good option for homes in warm climates. Moreover, light colors can give a driveway a wide, spacious feel.
There is no concrete stain color that’s better than all the others. If you decide to stain your driveway, you’ll want to consider the factors outlined above to find the stain that works best for your situation. It’s also wise to find a professional who can ensure the job is done right so that your driveway will look good for many years. Superior Aggregates Inc. has the tools and expertise you need to create the perfect concrete driveway for any home. Get in touch with us to find out more about our services, or to request an estimate for your project.