How to Design a Driveway

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A well-designed driveway adds a character and charm that can make your home distinctive. Let your creativity flow when you sit down to chart your design.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1
Sketch out a scaled, aerial view of your property.
Step2
View placement and layout of possible driveway proportions.
Step3
Sketch a few ideas, patterns or designs. Look for inspiration in the latest home exterior design magazines or seek the advice of a professional for a crisp and unique look.
Step4
Take measurements for the square footage you will need to complete your driveway design.
Step5
Decide on materials. While concrete and asphalt are the traditional media formaking driveways, there are now many options available in making your own driveway design.
Step6
Try concrete materials such as stamped concrete, concrete engraving, exposed aggregate finishes, colored concrete, sawed or grooved patterns, concrete stains or interlocking concrete pavers.
Step7
Arrange to remove old driveway. Take out the old concrete with a jack hammer and haul off into a large dumpster.
Step8
Start with the properly prepared subgrade. The subgrade should be compacted and should be level and even thickness. A typical driveway is 4" thick consistently.
Step9
Ensure that the joints are correctly placed in your design.
Step10
Plan for proper drainage. The concrete should slope 1/4" per running foot away from the house.
Step11
Map out the position of reinforcements. Reinforcements can be wire mesh or steel bars placed in a webbed pattern.
Step12
Don't forget to enhance your designed driveway with surrounding accents of fencing, stones, bushes or flowers.

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eHow Article: How to Design a Driveway

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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