An early postwar suburb of brick ranch homes

Concrete Contractors in Donelson, TN

Driveways, carports, patios, steps and walks for one of Nashville's classic mid-century neighborhoods.

Free on-site measuring visit
Written, itemized quote before any work starts
Base, slope and drainage planned for Middle Tennessee clay and rain

Concrete for Donelson's Mid-Century Homes

Donelson homeowners hiring concrete contractors mostly own houses that are half a century old or more. The neighborhood, about 6 miles east of downtown Nashville along U.S. 70, is an early postwar suburb made up largely of red brick, detached ranch-style homes. Modern development began shortly after World War II, and Donelson Plaza was an early example of a strip shopping center. We replace and repair driveways, carports, patios, steps and walks, and we pour new concrete for infill homes and additions.

Older than it looks

Some of Donelson is older still. The Bluefields subdivision was started in 1929, homes went up in the early 1930s, and Bransford Realty had built 50 to 60 houses there by the end of 1938. The final phase, Bluefield Square, came in the 1970s on the old Swiss Farm Dairy land. The Bluefields Historic District was added to the National Register on March 22, 2016.

Concrete on homes from these decades often has a few things in common:

Thin original slabs with little or no reinforcement
Single-car driveways and carports that owners want to widen
Front stoops and steps that have settled away from the brick
Walks cracked by mature trees planted when the houses were new

Matching old and new

With ranch homes, the front walk and stoop are a big part of curb appeal. When we replace them, we keep the proportions simple, match the broom direction and joint spacing of nearby concrete, and make sure the new stoop sits at the right height for the door. For homes in or near the Bluefields district, we keep finishes plain and in keeping with the period.

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Sewers, infill and new houses

The Donelson Wikipedia page notes that recent infill has been tied largely to sewer expansion. New houses on split lots and teardown sites need full concrete packages: driveways, walks, patios and sometimes garage slabs. We work with owners and builders to set grades so the new concrete drains properly next to older neighboring properties.

Near the airport and the river

Donelson borders Nashville International Airport and the Stones River, and Percy Priest Lake was created upstream in the late 1960s. The March 3, 2020, tornado also damaged parts of the neighborhood. Lower ground near the river and storm-damaged lots both call for close attention to the base under any new slab. We dig out soft soil, replace it with compacted stone and grade so water moves away from the house.

Donelson services

Driveway and carport replacement and widening
Front walks, stoops and steps that suit ranch homes
Backyard patios, plain or stamped
Garage and shed slabs
Repairs for cracked, lifted or sunken sections

We confirm any Metro requirements for work at the street and call Tennessee 811 before we dig. Call (615) 326-1447 to set up a visit in Donelson.

Donelson Background

Postwar suburb. Donelson is an early postwar suburb made up mostly of half-century-old red brick, detached ranch homes.
Bluefields. The Bluefields subdivision began in 1929, and its historic district was added to the National Register on March 22, 2016.
Infill. Recent infill in Donelson has been tied largely to sewer expansion.
Percy Priest Lake. Percy Priest Lake was created by impounding the Stones River in the late 1960s, upstream of Donelson.

Our Services in Donelson, TN

Donelson Questions

Can you widen my single-car Donelson driveway?

Usually yes. We can add a strip alongside the existing drive or replace it with a wider one. Setbacks and the curb cut matter, so we check what Metro requires for work at the street before we plan it.

My carport slab has a big crack down the middle. Is it dangerous?

A single crack in a level slab is usually cosmetic. If one side has dropped or the slab rocks, the base has failed and replacement is the better fix.

Will a new stoop match my brick ranch?

We size the stoop to the door and porch, keep the finish simple and can add a brick or stone edge if you want it to tie into the house.

Can you pour concrete for a new infill house in Donelson?

Yes. We pour the driveway, walks, patio and garage slab for new homes on split lots and teardown sites, and we set grades so the new concrete drains to the street or yard without sending water toward older homes next door. On narrow Donelson lots we also plan where the concrete truck will park, since many streets were laid out long before today's trucks, and we protect neighboring lawns during the pour.

Free Estimates in Donelson, TN

Tell us about your Donelson driveway, carport or steps and we will set up a free estimate.

Call (615) 326-1447 Free Estimate