How to Design a Driveway

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

1. Sketch out a scaled, aerial view of your property.

2. View placement and layout of possible driveway proportions.

3. 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.

4. Take measurements for the square footage you will need to complete your driveway design.

5. 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.

6. Try concrete materials such as stamped concrete, concrete engraving, exposed aggregate finishes, colored concrete, sawed or grooved patterns, concrete stains or interlocking concrete pavers.

7. Arrange to remove old driveway. Take out the old concrete with a jack hammer and haul off into a large dumpster.

8. 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.

9. Ensure that the joints are correctly placed in your design.

10. Plan for proper drainage. The concrete should slope 1/4" per running foot away from the house.

11. Map out the position of reinforcements. Reinforcements can be wire mesh or steel bars placed in a webbed pattern.

12. Don't forget to enhance your designed driveway with surrounding accents of fencing, stones, bushes or flowers.