The Pros and Cons of Pouring a Cement Walkway

Cement walkways are a great addition to any porch or yard. They provide easier access to your front door and look very welcoming to guests. Adding a cement walkway also increases curb appeal. Even though there are a lot of good things about cement walkways, they have some cons as well. Here are the pros and cons of pouring a cement walkway.

Pros

Cement is Durable

You won’t have any washing away if you pour a cement walkway. Rain, snow, or hail could hit it and it wouldn’t budge or crack if it’s done correctly. Your kids can run over it a thousand and one times and it still wouldn’t make a dent.

Cement Can Be Versatile

There are many shapes you can mold your cement into. It doesn’t have to be a straight slab of concrete anymore. You can use molds to make it look like a cobblestone walkway. Plus you can have your kids put their hands in it and have their little handprints forever!

Cement Doesn’t Require Maintenance

There is no sanding or repainting you have to do with cement. This is a huge benefit. You don’t have to worry about your cement chipping or getting rough. You can simply enjoy your cement once is is poured.

Cons

Cement is Difficult to Pour

If you’re not a professional cement is difficult to pour. This is a more difficult DIY project. You have to get everything exactly right or the cement won’t turn out. Even small mistakes are hard to correct because cement is so temperamental.

Cement is Very Permanent

If you like to change your mind a lot, cement is probably not a good idea for you. Once the cement is poured, you’re stuck with it. If you decide later that you don’t like it, it’s a little too late. There are less permanent options if you want to try some of those first. You can get stones and create a cobblestone walkway, or brick walkway. With cobblestone walkways, you can dig up the stones and adjust them if you’re not happy with the way they look. You won’t get any of that with cement.

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Cement is Expensive

Cement can cost a lot of money to pour. You can save money by pouring it yourself, but it can still be pricey. Especially if you want to do a long walkway all the way up to your front door. However, if you plan on keeping the walkway forever it is a good investment.

Summing Up

There are many pros and cons to pouring cement for a walkway. It all depends on what you want the front of your house to look like. Cement walkways look really nice, but so do many other options. Cement walkways are durable and don’t require any maintenance, but once you pour it you’re stuck with it. Consider all of these factors when you’re trying to decide whether or not to pour a cement walkway. If you carefully weigh all of these pros and cons, you’ll be happy with whatever you decide.