Paving a Driveway With Italian Style Bricks
Many homes have driveways built from concrete or asphalt. Both materials work very well in a driveway, but can look plain and ordinary. Another option to consider is to use stone or bricks, such as Italian-style bricks. These are bricks that are created to resemble bricks that have been used in roads and buildings in Italy for centuries. This can provide you with a durable driveway that has a more attractive, classical appearance than asphalt or concrete. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Spray paint
- Tape measure
- 1 1/2-ton excavator
- Rake
- Mechanical plate compactor
- Landscaping fabric
- Gravel
- Garden hose
- Sand
- 2-by-4 board
- Edge restraints
- Hammer
- Wet saw
- Safety goggles
- Ear protection
- Gloves
- Fine-grain sand
- Broom
- Sand-binding sealant
Instructions
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1
Spray paint two lines onto the ground to mark the perimeter of the driveway.
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2
Excavate the ground inside the lines with a 1 1/2-ton excavator. Dig the trench deep enough to hold an 8-inch gravel base, a 1-inch layer of sand, and the height of the bricks.
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3
Rake the dirt inside the trench to smooth it, then compact it with a mechanical plate compactor.
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4
Cover the bare dirt inside the trench with landscaping fabric. The landscaping fabric stabilizes the soil and prevents the growth of weeds in the driveway.
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5
Pour a 4-inch layer of gravel into the driveway, spraying it with water to reduce the dust. Rake the gravel to smooth it, then run over it with the plate compactor.
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6
Add another 4-inch layer of gravel to the trench, using the same method you used when pouring the first layer.
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7
Cover the gravel with a layer of sand 1-inch deep. Smooth the surface of the sand by dragging a 2-by-4 across the surface with a back-and-forth motion.
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8
Place edge restraints along the trench walls, securing them by driving the provided stakes or pins through the restraints and into the sand and gravel base.
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9
Lay the bricks on top of the sand in the desired pattern. Stagger the bricks in each row to strengthen the driveway and improve the appearance. Use a wet saw to make any needed cuts for the bricks.
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10
Compact the bricks by running over the driveway with the plate compactor.
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Spread fine-grain sand over the driveway, and sweep it into the joints between the bricks with a broom.
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12
Sweep any leaves or other debris off of the driveway, then apply a sand-binding sealant, following the manufacturer's instructions.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety goggles, ear protection and gloves when cutting the bricks with the wet saw.
References
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
