TABLE OF CONTENTS Concrete and masonry provide durable and low-maintenance driveways, sidewalks, steps, and patios for homes of all sizes and styles. Although paving elements can be made of many different materials, concrete is still one of the most popular, with finishing options providing either a utilitarian or decorative appearance. Brick and concrete masonry pavers are more expensive than concrete but add an ornamental element that can enhance the value and appearance of high-end homes.
There are rule-of-thumb guidelines for the design of driveways, sidewalks, steps, and patios. Following are some basics for recommended width, thickness, drainage slope, turning radius, and so on.
Overall driveway size and shape will be dictated by the building site and its physical restrictions, but straight driveways for single-car garages and carports should be 10 14 ft. wide. Curved driveways should be a minimum of 14 ft. wide. A double-width driveway for two-car garages and carports should be 16 24 ft. wide. If the city or subdivision does not dictate requirements for aprons where the driveway meets the street, follow the basic guidelines given in Figure 8-1. If you want to provide room for turning a car around, follow the guide- lines in Figure 8-2. If the house is on a hill, the driveway should not slope more than 14% a rise or fall of 1-3/4 in. per ft. of length or a car s undercarriage and back bumper will scrape the ground at the top and bottom of the slope (Figure 8-3). If there is no slope to or...
