Driveway Paving Advice

Design

• Each car needs a space about 10 feet wide and 18 to 20 feet long. If possible, leave about 3 to 5 feet of additional room behind a parked vehicle for people to walk around. A turnaround where vehicles can back in and face forward as they enter the street offers additional convenience and can serve as parking for visitors. Distinct edges between the driveway and walkways is aesthetically appealing and helps define the entrance for the visitor.

Site Preparation

• Asphalt, concrete and brick require similar site preparation. The driveway is graded for positive drainage -- water should flow from the building and off the driveway, to a swale or curb and gutter system. If the native material doesn't drain well and contains organic matter, gravel needs to be brought in. The gravel is compacted so that it won't settle under the pavement and to reduce soil movement that causes paving to settle or crack.

Paving Materials

• Asphalt is the least expensive paving material; it lasts about eight to 10 years. Concrete is more expensive but also more durable, with an expected 20 years of service. A variety of options are available for finishing concrete, such as exposed aggregate and color dyes. Interlocking brick pavers are an upscale and sophisticated design choice. Pavers are a permeable system; in areas with sensitive environments, such as near water, it's an advantage to reduce impervious surfaces. Brick is simple and straightforward to repair.

Curbs

• Curbs are an important element of paved driveways both functionally and aesthetically. They can channel surface water and add visual definition for the edge of the paving. Curbs are typically wood or concrete; concrete is more suitable for traffic and other stresses related to automobiles. Asphalt edges tend to crumble; curbs help keep the asphalt intact. Concrete pavement is stronger and lasts longer with concrete curbs extending the thickness of the concrete.