A slab that survives Quebec winters is engineered from the ground up. We excavate, compact the base, set the forms, and pour an air-entrained mix that flexes through freeze-thaw cycles. Broom, exposed-aggregate, stamped or coloured finishes. Free written estimate and a firm completion date.
The concrete slab is only as good as what sits beneath it. We remove the old driveway, excavate to proper depth, and lay a compacted granular base that sheds water and distributes vehicle loads evenly. A weak base leads to settling, cracking and heaving, no matter how good the finish.
The mix itself is air-entrained, meaning tiny air bubbles are trapped in the concrete to allow it to expand and contract through Gatineau's freeze-thaw cycles without spalling. Control joints are saw-cut on a planned grid so shrinkage cracks follow the lines instead of wandering randomly across the slab.
We measure the existing driveway, assess drainage and soil conditions, then remove the old slab and haul it away. Excavation is graded to slope water away from the house.
Base installation and forming
Compacted granular base is laid in lifts, then forms are set and leveled to the finished height and slope. Rebar or wire mesh is placed if needed for reinforcement.
Concrete placement and finishing
Air-entrained concrete is placed, screeded flat, and finished to your choice: broom, exposed-aggregate, stamped or coloured. The surface is troweled smooth or textured as specified.
Jointing, curing and handoff
Control joints are saw-cut on a planned layout. The slab is cured and protected, then you receive a written cure schedule showing when it is safe to walk and drive on.
Aesthetic choices
Selecting a Driveway Finish for Gatineau
The finish is where personality meets function. A brushed broom finish is the workhorse: affordable, slip-resistant and easy to sweep clean in winter.
Exposed aggregate reveals the stone in the mix for a textured, natural look that hides dirt and provides excellent traction. Stamped concrete is pressed with a pattern that mimics flagstone, slate or brick, then sealed to protect the detail. Coloured concrete uses integral pigment or a hardener to tint the slab, matching your home's trim or landscape. We bring samples to every estimate so you see the finish in daylight before committing.
Pricing, thickness, finishes and cure times for Gatineau driveways.
Several things: the finish, the slab thickness, the base condition, site access, and how much old concrete has to come out. A broom-finish driveway generally runs $9 to $14 per square foot in Gatineau, with stamped, exposed-aggregate or coloured finishes higher. Every quote is written and itemised after an on-site measure.
Yes. We handle tear-out of the old slab, haul-away, excavation and re-grading, then rebuild the gravel base before any forms go down. Driveway repair and resurfacing is also an option when the slab is structurally sound.
Most Gatineau residential driveways are poured at four inches over a compacted granular base, stepped up where heavier vehicles park or turn. We confirm the thickness and any reinforcement on the site visit based on use and soil.
You can usually walk on it within 24 to 48 hours. Wait about seven days before light vehicle traffic and 28 days for full design strength. We give you the exact cure schedule at handoff.
Broom and exposed-aggregate finishes shed water and hide wear well; stamped and coloured finishes look sharper and want resealing every few years. Sealing is what keeps salt and water out of any finish.
Homeowner reviews
What Gatineau Homeowners Say About Their Concrete Driveways
Old driveway was heaved and cracked corner to corner. They rebuilt the base properly and the new broom-finish slab has stayed dead flat through a full winter.
P. D.
Gatineau
★★★★★
Went with exposed aggregate and it looks sharp. The crew brought samples to the estimate so we knew exactly what we were getting before the pour.
R. H.
Ottawa
★★★★★
Widened the driveway for a second vehicle and tied it into the original cleanly. You would not know it was two pours, the colour and finish match.
A. M.
Nepean
★★★★★
Quoted a resurface instead of a full tear-out because the slab was still sound. Saved us money and they were upfront about it from the first visit.
T. G.
Barrhaven
From the blog
Concrete Guides & Articles
Practical reading on planning, finishes and caring for concrete in Gatineau.
Whether you need a new pour, a full replacement, or a widening to fit another vehicle, we measure on-site and send a written quote within one business day. No obligation, no pressure.
