I added an extension to my driveway three years ago, and now the original part of the driveway is cracking and not looking great—it's about 34 years old! I'm thinking about breaking up the old section and pouring new concrete. I'm aware that the color won't be exactly the same, but how mismatched do you think the new concrete will look compared to the concrete that's only three years old? The same contractor and concrete supplier will be used. Right now, there's a huge difference between the 34-year-old concrete and the 3-year-old concrete, and I'm hoping the new work will look better than this! In hindsight, I wish I could have done it all at once, but we had just moved in and it wasn't in the budget.
4 Answers
You should definitely chat with your contractor about this. Even if you pour the concrete just a few weeks apart, the colors can vary quite a bit. Plus, after three years of wear and exposure, that old concrete will look pretty different from the new stuff, so keep that in mind!
Have you thought about using concrete dye? It could help blend the colors better! Just ask your contractor about potentially adding a top coat of dye to both areas to make them look more cohesive.
Honestly, the new slab won't match the old one perfectly; that’s just the reality. But don't stress too much! After some time and weathering, they’ll start looking more similar. Once you pour the new slab and let it cure properly, consider pressure washing the existing section and sealing both. This can help create a more uniform look and improve their durability!
Yeah, it will likely look different at first, but don't worry too much! As the new concrete ages, the color difference should fade a bit. It's just part of the process.