Do It Yourself: Laying a Pavestone Driveway

| Tuesday, July 5, 2011
By Adam Ciboch


Most driveways are made up of either concrete or blacktop. Both give driveways a crisply professional look at first. Both materials can crack apart with time, though. A professional may be needed to actually install driveways made of either material, in addition.

An alternative is to use pavestones for your driveway. Increasingly common is pavestone, or pavers, when it comes to the do it yourself types especially. Although they're essentially just concrete blocks, pavestones come in a myriad of colors, sizes and shapes. Being simple for homeowners to get ahold of and inexpensive in addition, pavestones are an incredibly popular option. If you don't want to spend money hiring a professional, pavestones are probably the way to go, since they're easy to install.

In addition, pavestones also usually add a nice landscaping touch to your driveway. If you plan well enough beforehand, you can even incorporate them into your landscape design. It also makes a great place for family and friends to gather as a result. No one can really say that about their blacktop driveways!

The weight of cars on the driveway is one major factor you need to take into consideration. Before you install the pavestone, you'll need about a 4 to 6 inch foundation to be laid down. The bottom of the foundation is usually made of crushed granite, with the top consisting of coarse sand. The best way to tamp the foundation down is to rent a tamper machine, as well.

Next, lay your pavestones down in the design you want. Again, it is wise to pre-plan this stage of laying the pavestones out. It is also helpful to know how many pavestones you will need in advance. Once laid, you will need to rent another tool called a plate compactor to lock your pavestones into place.

For those who are so inclined, laying your own pavestone driveway is totally doable overall. It is still wise to plan everything out ahead of time, that said. To get some advice on the best practices and most effective methods, perhaps even consult with a professional. Before you know it, effective and aesthetically pleasing will both be ways you can describe your driveway.




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