by The Conscientious Reporter

Created on: June 16, 2008   Last Updated: June 23, 2008

Homeowners should consider a driveway to be one of the most important outdoor features of a home. It is an integral part of the homes curb appeal. The homeowner should give strong consideration to the materials used to construct a driveway, ensuring the materials utilized are consistent with similar homes in the area and choose materials that will last and add value to the property.

When installing a driveway, a sound subgrade is essential. The following recommendations are provided for the various driveway styles:

Asphalt

1. Provide a minimum 6" crushed aggregate, compacted to a minimum of 90% of the materials dry density.
2. Always have asphalt compacted in a minimum of two lifts of equal thickness, with no lift exceeding 3 inches.
3. Call your local county road agency and speak with the Engineer to obtain a recommendation of an asphalt driveway mix.

Benefits of asphalt driveways include the speed of construction, affordability, and ability to utilize after the material has cooled. Negatives are that the material will be susceptible to degradation from petroleum spills.

Concrete

1. Provide a minimum of 4" crushed compacted aggregate.
2. Have the contractor utilize a woven wire fabric (WWF) which is a steel mesh to reinforce the concrete, installed a minimum of 2" below the final surface and not more than half the slab thickness deep.
3. The driveway should be a minimum of 5" thick of 3,000 - 4000psi concrete and have a slump of not more than 5".
4. Ensure the concrete is properly cured by having a curing compound applied to the finished surface or have the concrete covered with plastic sheeting.
5. Ensure joints are placed during forming or sawed immediately following 24 hours of curing. Concrete is prone to cracking and installation of joints assists in ensuring cracks occur at the joint preserving the aesthetics of the concrete.

Benefits of concrete are that it has a high compressive strength long service life, and is not susceptible to petroleum degradation. Negatives are it displays stains is prone to cracking, and requires 3-7 days of cure time before sufficient strength is available to drive upon.

Pavers

1. Ensure an aggregate subgrade is installed in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
2. Carefully select the paver style and color to compliment the home.
3. Ensure pavers are placed tightly without gaps and the space between butted pavers is filled with a manufacturer recommended coarse sand mix.

Benefits of pavers are superior strength and aesthetics. Pavers may be accessed immediately upon completion. Negatives are that they are very expensive to install.

The driveway is a key feature of the home. Therefore, to ensure a professional looking installation, always hire a licensed contractor to perform the construction. It is recommended to hire a state licensed, and adequately insured contractor who is associated with a National or State specfic Paving Contractor Association. A licensed contractor should always be utilized when constructing a driveway to ensure a quality end product, lasting for years and adding value to your home.

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