Driveways Built for Commercial Traffic
Commercial Concrete Driveway Installation and Replacement in Shreveport
Your commercial property in Shreveport depends on a driveway that can handle delivery trucks, employee vehicles, and customer traffic without cracking or settling. Whether you manage an office building near Youree Drive or a retail location along one of the city's busier commercial corridors, the surface leading into your property sets the tone for access and function. A failing driveway creates liability risks and reflects poorly on your business.
Shreveport Concrete & Patios installs and replaces concrete driveways designed for higher traffic volumes and heavier vehicles. The process includes proper thickness and reinforcement tailored to your site's usage, whether that means accommodating delivery schedules at an industrial facility or managing steady customer flow at a retail center. Grading and base preparation account for local soil conditions and drainage patterns common across Shreveport's commercial zones.
A site visit helps determine the right approach for your property in Shreveport and the surrounding area.
What Changes After the Concrete Is Poured
The work begins with site assessment and removal of any existing pavement if you're replacing a damaged surface. In Shreveport, this often means addressing base failures caused by shifting soils or inadequate drainage that wasn't planned for when the original driveway was installed. Excavation depth and reinforcement are determined based on expected load, vehicle type, and frequency of use.
Once the concrete cures, you'll notice a level surface with no low spots where water used to collect. Trucks can enter and exit without scraping undercarriages on uneven transitions. The edges hold their shape under repeated wheel loads, and the surface resists cracking under weight that would have damaged thinner or poorly reinforced slabs.
The installation includes control joints to manage natural expansion and contraction. Drainage slopes are built into the surface to move water away from the building and reduce standing water that accelerates wear. If your property requires specific access widths or turning radii, those dimensions are incorporated during layout. This work does not include decorative finishes or colored concrete unless specified during planning.
Questions That Come Up During Planning
Commercial driveway projects involve logistics, timing, and coordination that differ from residential work, and it helps to know what to expect before scheduling.
How thick does a commercial driveway need to be?
Thickness depends on vehicle weight and frequency. Most commercial driveways in Shreveport are poured between six and eight inches thick, with heavier reinforcement for loading zones or delivery lanes.
What happens to the old driveway during replacement?
The existing concrete is broken up, removed, and hauled off-site. If the base material is still stable, it may be reused after grading, but damaged or poorly compacted base layers are replaced before new concrete is poured.
How long does the driveway need to cure before use?
You can typically allow light vehicle traffic after seven days. Full curing takes about 28 days, and heavy truck traffic should wait until that point to avoid surface damage.
Can the driveway be poured in sections?
Yes, phased pours allow parts of your property to remain accessible during construction. Joints between pours are planned to maintain structural integrity and prevent cracking along seams.
What if drainage is already a problem on the property?
Grading and slope adjustments are included in the installation to redirect water away from the building and prevent pooling. If site conditions require additional drainage features, those are identified during the site visit.
Shreveport Concrete & Patios works with property managers and business owners throughout Shreveport and the surrounding area to plan installations around operational schedules and minimize downtime. On-site assessments confirm access needs, usage patterns, and any site-specific challenges before work begins.