How to Make a Cobblestone Driveway

Paving your own cobble driveway can immediately increase the value of your home at minimal out-of-pocket cost. By transforming the look of your old asphalt or concrete driveway, you can lend your home an upscale, "Old World" appearance that will cause your home to stand out with greater curb appeal. The average cost of this type of DIY project is about $700 depending on your region. Making a cobble driveway is not a solo effort, however. It is a good idea to have at least one friend, or, better yet, two or more assisting you. The more people you have on your "team," the less time it will take, and the more pleasant the work will be. The following instructions will show you how to make a cobble driveway that replaces your existing one. If you begin early in the day in clear and sunny weather, you can be finished before sunset. Before you begin, measure the length and width of your driveway and bring these measurements to your local home improvement center. The experts there can help you determine how much material you will need for your particular driveway, and arrange for the delivery of your chosen cobblestones. Enlist the help of a few friends before the supplies arrive at your home and be sure that cool drinks and snacks will be available to reward them for all of their hard work once the job is done.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel/ backhoe
• Wheelbarrow (for transporting materials)
• Road rock
• Coarse concrete sand
• Vibratory plate compactor
• Landscaping rake
• Skid steer
• Garden hose
• Rebar or sturdy stakes
• Measuring tape
• String
• Multi-snips
• Cobblestones
• Diamond blade saw
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Construction adhesive
• Caulk gun
• Mortar mixer (3-1/2 cubic ft. capacity or larger)
• Epoxy grout mix
• Ettore Moss Foam Squeegee - Model # 61018
• Air blower (optional)
• Push broom (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Excavate the existing driveway near the entrance of the garage to allow for the installation of the new cobble driveway and supporting base layers. This can mean digging down by as much as six to nine inches, depending on the thickness of the pavers that you have selected. The new driveway, when finished, should be able to meet the edge of the lowered garage door. Distribute road rock to a depth of about 4.5 inches over the asphalt driveway with the skid steer and the landscaping rake. Take your garden hose and wet it down thoroughly.

2. 

   Use the plate compactor to crush and flatten the layer of road rock.

3. 

   Spread ¾ of an inch of concrete sand with the notched side of a rake, and even it out using the rake's smooth side.

4. 

   Wet the sand and use the compactor to compress it until your base layer is as flat as possible.

5. 

   Tie a string between stakes or rebars on either side of the driveway. This will help you to keep your border stones, or lead stones, straight as you lay them down. For contrast, your lead cobblestones can be a different color, shape or size from your paver cobblestones

6. 

   Start placing your lead stones at the highest point of the slope/driveway (that is, near the garage). Make sure the uncut edges of the border stones face outward, toward the lawn. The uncut side is known in the industry as the "factory edge."

7. 

   Lift several stones at a time from the edge and apply a thick seam of construction adhesive. Replace the stones, pressing them down firmly, and continue until all of the lead stones have been fastened down along the edges. The central stones will not need adhesive because the secured edges will keep them from moving once the driveway is completed.

8. 

   Return to the top of the slope, near the garage and center your first cobble paver. Press the stone down into the underlying base.

9. 

   Continue to add cobbles to the left and right of the first center stone at the top until you have placed the first row. Keep the seams between the stones evenly spaced and as close to one another as possible. It is important that the rows fit tightly against the bordering stones along the edges. You may need to use the diamond blade saw to cut some cobbles to fill in any gaps. Add rows of cobblestones to the rest of the driveway until the entire driveway has been covered between the lead stones bordering each outer edge. Apply grout between the seams of the stones with the moss foam squeegee and allow the driveway to cure in the sun.

Tips & Warnings

• When using the plate compactor make sure that you use ear protection to safeguard your hearing. It is also wise to wear safety glasses throughout this project, especially when cutting individual cobblestones. Be sure that everyone working with you has these safety items and knows how to correctly operate the equipment used. If you reside in an area that experiences severe cold and heavy frost and snow in winter, apply flexible thinset mortar to your driveway just before setting your central cobblestones. The experts at your home improvement center can help advise you on the proper application for your area.

• Before excavating or digging for this project, you should contact your utility company. They will be able to mark any underground cables, lines, and so forth. This will help you prevent injuries and power outages for both you and your neighbors. This project may also require that you relocate any irrigation systems and plumbing pipes that may be near your driveway. Do your homework before you start.

Resources

• Cobble pavers and grouting materials can be found at Cobble Systems.