96MysticSVT
Well-known member
Can anyone tell me what the minimum concrete thickness a driveway should be? I have a 350' driveway I am starting my research on getting poured.
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Driveway thickness
- Thread starter 96MysticSVT
- Start date
sberry
Banned
Most pours are minimum of 4 inches, down there where there is no frost you could probably get by with 3 with fibre mesh depending on what you intend to be able to drive on it. 4 would be better though.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
You have a 350 foot driveway you are going to do in CONCRETE?
have you gotten an estimate yet?? Id probably go with blacktop for the most part, then do contrete towards your shop area; blend it in with a row of pavers or something like that. Concrete will hold up better, but The cost is WAY more than blacktop.
Jim
have you gotten an estimate yet?? Id probably go with blacktop for the most part, then do contrete towards your shop area; blend it in with a row of pavers or something like that. Concrete will hold up better, but The cost is WAY more than blacktop.
Jim
I'd do the concrete, it doesn't cost all that much here. $75/yd on weekdays, $85/yd on weekends.
350 ft length X 12 feet wide(my assumption) X 4 inches thick = 51.8 cu. yds.
52 X $75 = $3900
52 X $85 = $4420
plus labor costs, if there are any (DIY)
cost of lumber for forms
cost of tools not already own or borrowed
Blacktop here in MD would cost more, plus in the TX heat, may not be as good in a few years as it would be in our area.
Its also hard to be a do-it-yourselfer in blacktop. Unless you happen to work for the city and basically steal it.
350 ft length X 12 feet wide(my assumption) X 4 inches thick = 51.8 cu. yds.
52 X $75 = $3900
52 X $85 = $4420
plus labor costs, if there are any (DIY)
cost of lumber for forms
cost of tools not already own or borrowed
Blacktop here in MD would cost more, plus in the TX heat, may not be as good in a few years as it would be in our area.
Its also hard to be a do-it-yourselfer in blacktop. Unless you happen to work for the city and basically steal it.
Just remember that your concrete driveway is only as good as the base. When I excavated my old drive way out, I put down a 12" rock base. Driveway has been in for 6 years now and no cracks. I did pour a 5" slab, with an approach of 7" at the base of the driveway. I know allot of cement guys that do commercial work and they are not that impressed with fiber cement. Just something to think about.
OP
96MysticSVT
Well-known member
I did get an estimate on both. But I want to go with concrete because after I'm done, I don't want to have to mess with it anymore, like having to reseal asphault.kartracer55 said:You have a 350 foot driveway you are going to do in CONCRETE?
have you gotten an estimate yet??
Concrete here runs about $85 to $90 per cubic yard so it will be a little more upfront but less effort in the long run.
My driveway is currently made up of road base gravel which has been there for a few years so it's nice and compact.
The thickness will also depend on what you will be driving on it in the future Any heavy equipment in your future?, ie gonna need another concrete truck or some other heavy truck on your driveway for any other reason? Thick is better and will be able to take more weight without cracking.
In addition, go with the highest PSI mix your mason will allow. Most will not want to venture past 3500 since it starts to set quicker. The stronger the mix, the harder the concrete...the longer it will last, etc. Price increase going from 3500 to 4000 or higher is minimal.
In addition, go with the highest PSI mix your mason will allow. Most will not want to venture past 3500 since it starts to set quicker. The stronger the mix, the harder the concrete...the longer it will last, etc. Price increase going from 3500 to 4000 or higher is minimal.
Matt Harwood
Well-known member
In my area (Cleveland), driveways need to be 6 inches thick with a pea-gravel base. I'm guessing this is to keep it from breaking up when the ground freezes. I'm renovating a house and found a concrete contractor who will break up old concrete, haul it away and pour and finish new stuff for about $4/square foot. I don't think I could do it myself for that price.
On the other hand, the folks across the street just had a new concrete driveway poured--two lanes wide by about 60 feet long, plus a new slab under the 2-car garage. They paid a little over $11,000 for the whole job (including removing the old concrete/asphalt driveway).
From those examples, it looks like prices are all over the map without much frame of reference (i.e. price/cubic yard). I'd get more than one estimate.
On the other hand, the folks across the street just had a new concrete driveway poured--two lanes wide by about 60 feet long, plus a new slab under the 2-car garage. They paid a little over $11,000 for the whole job (including removing the old concrete/asphalt driveway).
From those examples, it looks like prices are all over the map without much frame of reference (i.e. price/cubic yard). I'd get more than one estimate.
Rusty105
Well-known member
No one has said anything about wire mesh reinforcement. A civil engineer I worked for in NY Specs 4" for walkways with 1 layer of WWM, and I think 6" or 7" with 2 layers of WWM where cars would cross the walkways, as in going into a driveway. You still have other costs as well; Wire mesh, expansion joints, any drainage issues. Is the driveway flat, or on a hill? If it is flat, you need to make sure it is pitched to one side to drain water off the driveway.
Rusty
Rusty
krooser
Well-known member
Mine is 4", fiber mesh, #3500 PSI...about $65.00/yard last year....in Wisconsin
chet
Well-known member
wire mesh is good to use as it comes in rolls. the thickness is what stops the cracking (and the base prep) the wire mesh or fibermesh stops the cracks from spreading. Most driveways are 3.5" thick (width of 2x4) with wire mesh or rebar in them. Two layers of wire mesh is overkill. Make sure the mesh is around 1" off the ground or its useless.
TOMWELDS
Well-known member
Most sidewalks and driveways in my area are 4" of 3/4" stone and 4" concrete. Heavy trucks- 6" and 6". Wire mesh, definitly. When i pour light pole bases, i use the trucks that mix the concrete on board. The price difference between 3500psi and 5000psi is about $5. With 350', get lots of expansion joints. Other idea's: Lay down pipes for future wiring and drainage.