Concrete Driveways, Walkways & Patios in West Chester, PA
Custom Concrete & Hardscaping Solutions
Blake’s Paving delivers more than asphalt, we provide expert concrete work done the right way. Serving West Chester, Wayne, Malvern, and the Delaware Valley since 1926, we build surfaces designed to withstand harsh Pennsylvania weather. Whether replacing a cracked driveway, improving a walkway, or building a patio, our team focuses on the essentials: proper base prep, correct thickness, and smart drainage. Experience durable craftsmanship and clean design with concrete that handles local freeze-thaw cycles.
Concrete Driveways & Aprons
Concrete, Belgium Block & Decorative Edging
A concrete driveway delivers a bright, clean aesthetic and long-term durability. When installed on a properly prepared base, it provides a crisp, finished surface that handles daily traffic and Pennsylvania weather with ease.
Think of the design as the frame for your home’s exterior. While we use a standard broom finish for safety and traction, adding Belgium block curbing or decorative borders creates a distinct, high-end look that clearly defines your property lines.
Project Types: Concrete & Stone Accents
- Driveway Installation: Complete construction, excavation, grading, and pouring, for new layouts or replacing cracked, settled sections.
- Concrete Aprons: Reinforcing the high-stress transition zone where your driveway meets the road, often required by local codes.
- Belgium Block: We install durable stone curbing and borders to prevent edge erosion and significantly boost curb appeal.
Township rules often dictate apron design, slope, and specific curbing materials like Belgium block. We guide you through local requirements and permitting to ensure your project is compliant and built right.
Concrete Walkways & Sidewalks
Safety, Function & First Impressions
Walkways shape first impressions, but they must also be safe. If the underlying base is weak or poorly compacted, concrete slabs will eventually settle and heave, turning your welcoming path into a dangerous tripping hazard and a constant eyesore.
In Pennsylvania, water management is everything. We design walkways with the correct pitch to shed rain and snowmelt away from your foundation, preventing the freeze-thaw cycles that crack and lift standard sidewalks during our harsh winters.
Our Walkway & Sidewalk Services
- Custom Entryways: We pour straight, curved, or widened layouts that align with your home’s geometry.
- Sidewalk Replacement: Expert removal of lifted or settled sections, rebuilt on a stable, compacted base.
- Smart Drainage: Proper grading ensures water moves away from the home to prevent icing and erosion.
- Refined Edges: Optional border edging or Belgium block accents for a cleaner, high-end finish.
- Hazard Elimination: We correct uneven transitions to ensure a smooth, safe surface for guests.
Concrete Patios & Outdoor Living
Functional Outdoor Living Spaces
A concrete patio is the foundation for outdoor living, grilling, relaxing, and entertaining. We don’t just pour a slab; we build a durable extension of your home designed to withstand Pennsylvania’s shifting seasons. Our process prioritizes proper grading for drainage and a deep, compacted base to prevent heaving. Whether it’s a compact grill pad or a sprawling dining area, we deliver a stable surface that offers low maintenance and lasting comfort compared to pavers that often shift or grow weeds over time.
The Blake’s Patio Standard:
- Smart Design: We plan layouts around your furniture and traffic flow to ensure gates open freely and dining sets fit perfectly.
- Solid Base: Proper excavation and compaction prevent settling, providing a permanently flat, stable surface for tables and chairs.
- Lasting Value: A unified concrete surface eliminates joint weeds and trip hazards, offering a clean look that is easy to maintain.
Our Concrete Installation Processs
Expert Concrete Installation
Concrete lasts only when the groundwork is perfect. We don't just pour wet mud; our process is designed to prevent settling and drainage issues common in Pennsylvania. It starts with precise excavation and a compacted stone base—because concrete is only as good as what’s beneath it. We install project-specific reinforcement and set forms for clean lines. Finally, we pour, finish, and cut control joints to manage cracking. With clear curing guidance, we ensure your surface is built to handle freeze-thaw cycles.
The Blake’s Concrete Standard:
- Integrated Projects: One expert team for both asphalt and concrete ensures seamless coordination and matching quality standards.
- Built to Last: Established in 1926, we prioritize deep base prep and compaction so your concrete survives our harsh winters.
- Protected Investment: Fully licensed and insured, we deliver professional jobsite safety and accountability from start to finish.
FAQs About Concrete Paving
Should I choose concrete or asphalt for my new driveway in Pennsylvania?
It depends on your budget, aesthetic preference, and maintenance goals. Concrete offers a bright, crisp look and superior long-term durability, acting as a "frame" for your home. Asphalt is typically more cost-effective and flexible. Because Blake’s Paving handles both materials (and often combines them, such as an asphalt driveway with a concrete apron), we provide an honest, unbiased recommendation based on your specific property and how you use it.
How do you prevent concrete sidewalks from heaving during winter?
In the Delaware Valley, the "freeze-thaw" cycle is the biggest enemy of concrete. Prevention starts underground. We focus on proper excavation and a compacted stone base to ensure stability. We also design every walkway with the correct pitch (slope) to shed rain and snowmelt away from your foundation and the slab itself. If water can't get under the concrete to freeze, the risk of heaving and cracking is drastically reduced.
Can you add Belgium Block curbing to an existing driveway?
Yes. Belgium block is a popular choice for aprons (the transition zone at the road), borders, and curbing. It not only adds a high-end, distinct finish to your property lines but also protects the edges of your driveway from erosion and tire damage. We often install Belgium block aprons to meet specific township requirements or simply to boost curb appeal.
Why is my concrete patio better than using pavers?
Many homeowners prefer concrete because it is a low-maintenance, unified surface. Unlike pavers, which have joints that can grow weeds, shift, or settle unevenly over time, a concrete patio remains flat and stable. This makes it ideal for patio furniture, dining sets, and safe walking. We build our patios on a deep, compacted base to ensure they stay level for years of outdoor entertaining.
Will my new concrete driveway crack?
The honest answer is that all concrete has the potential to crack over time as it cures and settles. However, we minimize this risk through rigorous base preparation and the use of reinforcement forms. We also cut "control joints" into the slab; these are intentional, clean lines that encourage any necessary cracking to happen in a controlled, invisible way rather than randomly across the surface.
How long do I have to wait before driving on new concrete?
Concrete needs time to reach the strength required to support a vehicle. While you can typically walk on the surface relatively soon after pouring, vehicle access usually requires a longer cure time. We will give you specific, clear guidance on the day of the project based on the weather conditions and the thickness of your slab—so there is no guessing.
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway apron in West Chester?
Often, yes. Many townships and neighborhoods in the Delaware Valley have specific rules regarding apron design, slope, and materials (such as requiring concrete or Belgium block for the apron even if the driveway is asphalt). If permitting is required, Blake's Paving will help you understand the local codes and ensure your project is fully compliant.
What is the advantage of hiring one company for both asphalt and concrete work?
Many projects require both materials—for example, a new asphalt driveway with a concrete walkway or apron. Hiring Blake’s Paving for both means you have one point of contact, one coordinated schedule, and one standard of quality. You won't have to juggle two different contractors or worry about scheduling conflicts; we ensure the transitions between the two materials are seamless and built to last.
Schedule Your Concrete Paving Estimate
Since 1926, Blake's Paving
Thinking about upgrading your driveway, parking lot, or concrete work? Choose a team you can trust. Reach out to Blake’s Paving for a free, no-pressure estimate. We serve West Chester, Wayne, and nearby Chester County communities—and we’ll walk you through the plan and build something you’ll be proud to show off.
