A Homeowner’s Guide to Driveway Construction

Cars are usually considered to be an integral part of our society. As such, it isn’t hard to find dozens of driveways in an American suburb. While driveways may seem easy to build, things are often not as easy as they look. Constructing a durable and visually attractive driveway is no easy task. Don’t worry, we’ll show you the steps of building a proper driveway with important considerations taken into account. We’ll explain how it is usually done.

Necessary Preparations

1. Building Permits and Local Construction Codes

Before you start, you should consult with the local authority to get a grasp of any applicable zoning laws and permits required. You wouldn’t want to find yourself facing fines for violating some local ordinance after the completion of your driveway.

2. Budget and Material Choice

One of the most important parts of planning a driveway is choosing the material for it. Depending on your needs and aesthetic preferences, you may find a particular material more appealing than the others. However, it’s also a good idea to consider your budget beforehand to prevent cost overruns. Furthermore, you should also take labor cost and site preparations cost, as well as demolition cost (if you already have a driveway) into the equations for better pre-planning and informed decision-making.

At the moment, concrete driveways provide the most benefits. Concrete driveways are stronger, more durable and cost-effective, while the maintenance cost is low enough for an average homeowner to bear. It is an excellent choice which balances longevity and appearance.

3. Dimensions

The dimensions of your driveway can have a massive impact on its functionality. “How big do you want driveway to be” is a question best asked before the construction. The number of cars owned and the space available will determine the width of your driveway. Normally, a single-car driveway is about 11 to 12 feet wide. For owners with two cars, you might need to widen that up to 20 to 23 feet.

Groundwork

Before starting the construction, the land needs to be prepared. This process may involve excavation and clearing away any debris and vegetation. If you already have a driveway, you may need to call a demolition contractor to tear up and demolish the existing paving. After that, you can start grading the ground to make it levelled and create a slope for water drainage.

For a concrete driveway, a base layer is required. Usually, a layer of gravel will be laid down once the groundwork is done. This will create a stable condition, ripe for further construction work to proceed. Make sure to create the appropriate level of thickness for the base layer as it will have a huge impact on your driveway durability.

Construction Procedure

Creating the Formwork

Before pouring the concrete in, you need forms to create a shape for the concrete to harden. Therefore, you need to place wooden forms to outline the shape of your driveway.

Pouring

After the forms are set, it’s time to pour the concrete in. You may need to place contraction or expansion joints in order to prevent cracking due to temperature changes.

Curing

Concrete needs time to be cured. Usually, this means leaving the driveway unused for at least a week. However, for areas where high temperature is the norm, you may need to pay extra attention. If the surface dries too soon, the concrete will be weak and may later become powdery or crumble away. Making sure that the contractor doesn’t skimp on this process is an important tip.

Sealing

After the construction, for concrete driveways, applying sealant can significantly extend their lifespan while increasing their visual appearance.

To conclude, while the construction of a driveway involves multiple steps, with the right planning and execution, you may end up with a functional, long-lasting and pleasantly looking driveway. Each step mentioned in this article is important in making sure that you’ll get the driveway that you expect.

If you need a reputable contractor experienced in constructing concrete driveways, look no further than us. HBS specializes in all of the services necessary to build a driveway, such as excavation, demolition and concrete. With our expertise, experience and special equipment, we’re confident that we’ll deliver the best quality possible while keeping it within the assigned budget. Contact us now and we’ll provide you with a quote for your project.