Things to Consider when Planning a Driveway

Ease of Access

There is no minimum width when it comes to your driveway, so the design you choose really does have to be practical, and it also needs to accommodate the vehicles you are going to be using on it. You need to take into account the number of vehicles you have and if the doors can open easily as well. Small things, like making sure that your design gives you access from the highway and that you can get into your car, are also important. You will need to be able to reverse into your drive from the road, and you will also need to look into things like driveway edging stones. This remains a very good way for you to separate your drive from the shrubbery or pathway, which is a great thing to do.

Shrubbery 

Trees and shrubs are great to have in front of your home, but you do need to bear in mind that excavation could easily damage the roots. If you know that you have utility cables, then you will need to consider things like this, too. Ideally, you would be working with a qualified contractor, as they can make sure that everything is planted as it should be, and it will also help you to stop undermining the sub-base. Just make sure that you raise concerns before the work is carried out, as this is a good way for you to get the result you need.

Accessories

There are a ton of ways that you can turn your drive into a more inviting entrance. It may be that you choose to have lights built into the driveway and that you even look into installing lights on the curb. If you want to try and modernize your drive, then this is a great way to do that. If you do go for lighting, then you will need to account for things like electrical cables as well as the additional time this kind of work takes. If you can do that, then you will find it easier to not only get the results you need out of your drive, but also to make sure that you are not planning too much when the payoff for you isn’t going to be worth it.

Contemporary

There really are so many materials you can choose from when the time comes for you to build your drive. You should make sure that you look into them too, as this is a great way for you to make sure that you are taking into account all of your options. You can find gravel and stone for your driveway online, and when you do, you may come across colors you might not have thought about yet. Concrete block paving might be the most popular driveway option, but at the same time, it doesn’t hurt to play around with layering patterns and colors. When you do, you can then come up with something truly unique, which will help you a lot. Paving is a low-maintenance choice, but if you opt for a different colour, you can still make it a modern design.

Budget considerations are obvious and play a big part as well. As a general rule, you will only be spending 20% of your budget on the product, as 80% will go to the installation, as well as the sub-base. If you are worried that having a more high-end paving choice will add to the cost, then chat with your installer or contractor, as it may be that it makes way less of a difference than you might think. 

Drainage

Drainage design is such an important factor when it comes to your driveway design. The overall surface area of your drive will really dictate the design of your drainage. Your contractor will be able to work with you to give you all of the information you need when you have finished the design. If you know that you have a slope or an incline, then this is fine, but you do need to make sure that the slope is enough so that it takes the surface water away from your home. If it doesn’t, then you may find that it ends up undermining the footing of your house, as well as its overall structure. Having permeable paving gives you the choice of not even having to get planning permission to get your driveway done, as the water drains into the ground through the paving, and this can save you from having a large drainage system.

So as you can see, it’s very easy for you to try and plan your driveway, and when you do give it enough thought, you will find it easier than ever to not only get the result you need, but to also make sure that you are not overlooking anything that could make a big difference to your budget. Remember that working with a reliable contractor is one of the best things you can do, and their experience can be invaluable if you need some help with your driveway or if you need some help getting your project on track for when the time comes for you to sell your home.