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What Does It Cost?
Because of the magnitude of the project, most people don't attempt to pave a driveway themselves. Although the planning and forming work isn't too difficult, the mixing, screeding, floating, and troweling can be back-breaking.
If you decide to do the entire job yourself,
be sure to order premixed concrete. The
additional cost of having concrete
delivered is small when you consider the
rental expenses you'd incur if you mixed
the concrete yourself. The same is true
for asphalt surfaces.
You can save dollars, however, if you
design, lay out, and prepare the forms.
Then you can have a contractor pour the
cement.
If the site for your driveway is firm and has good drainage, don't disturb the soil. Just skim off the vegetation from the ground, set the forms, lay down a bed of sand, then pour the concrete.
If the earth is not solid, add a 4- to 6- inch thick base for the concrete. For how thick the base needs to be, check with a concrete supplier in your area.
Single car driveways vary in width from 10 to 14 feet, or about 3 feet wider than the car. Allow 16 to 24 feet for two cars or a two car garage.
If heavy trucks will frequent the drive, plan for 6 to 8 inches thick of concrete. If only pick-up trucks and cars will use the drive, a depth of 4 to 6 inches will suffice. If you're working with a level slope, pitch the drive away from the garage at 1/4-inch per running foot.
If you decide to do the entire job yourself,
be sure to order premixed concrete. The
additional cost of having concrete
delivered is small when you consider the
rental expenses you'd incur if you mixed
the concrete yourself. The same is true
for asphalt surfaces.
You can save dollars, however, if you
design, lay out, and prepare the forms.
Then you can have a contractor pour the
cement.
If the site for your driveway is firm and has good drainage, don't disturb the soil. Just skim off the vegetation from the ground, set the forms, lay down a bed of sand, then pour the concrete.
If the earth is not solid, add a 4- to 6- inch thick base for the concrete. For how thick the base needs to be, check with a concrete supplier in your area.
Single car driveways vary in width from 10 to 14 feet, or about 3 feet wider than the car. Allow 16 to 24 feet for two cars or a two car garage.
If heavy trucks will frequent the drive, plan for 6 to 8 inches thick of concrete. If only pick-up trucks and cars will use the drive, a depth of 4 to 6 inches will suffice. If you're working with a level slope, pitch the drive away from the garage at 1/4-inch per running foot.
Planning A Driveway
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Single car driveways vary in width from 10 to 14 feet, or about 3 feet wider than the car. Allow 16 to 24 feet for two cars or a two car garage.
If heavy trucks will frequent the drive, plan for 6 to 8 inches thick of concrete. If only pick-up trucks and cars will use the drive, a depth of 4 to 6 inches will suffice. If you're working with a level slope, pitch the drive away from the garage at 1/4-inch per running foot.
If heavy trucks will frequent the drive, plan for 6 to 8 inches thick of concrete. If only pick-up trucks and cars will use the drive, a depth of 4 to 6 inches will suffice. If you're working with a level slope, pitch the drive away from the garage at 1/4-inch per running foot.
Use 2x4 or 2x6 lumber for the forms. Or, you may be able to rent metal forms for less than you'd pay for the lumber. The forms are held by stakes on the outside of the forming members. Sledgehammer the stakes into the ground, spacing them 24 to 30 inches apart. Drive the tops of the stakes below the top edges of the forms; the concrete can't be leveled easily if the tops of the stakes are in the way.
You may need a polyethylene moisture barrier and reinforcing rods or mesh for strength. Ask your materials dealer about this because conditions vary with locality.
You may need a polyethylene moisture barrier and reinforcing rods or mesh for strength. Ask your materials dealer about this because conditions vary with locality.
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related video: concrete slab installation
Installing a concrete slab.
