Lets talk Garage DRIVEWAYS - types, repairs, upgrades, etc

[Cobra Jet]

Unless I have missed it (and I hope this is not a duplicate post), but, I see tons of discussions pertaining to mostly interior related garage stuff...

Why not a thread about various types of garage DRIVEWAYS?

This could be beneficial for those looking to upgrade their existing driveways, fixing current driveways and/or helping others to decide what materials to use or type of driveway to construct for a new home/garage. It could even bring in potential recommendations of Contractors who deal specifically with driveways.

My current driveway is the common smooth "black top" surface. It's the width of the 2-car garage, is approx. 32-40ft long and is in need of resurfacing (last resurface was completed in 2007 by prior owners). I'm not sure I want to tackle the job myself, as from what I have read online or seen in some videos, it seems like it is a tedious job to do on your own and is best left up to a Pro that deals w/ re-sealing/surfacing these types of driveways.

Any comments from those who have the same type of driveway - and what they do to maintain it throughout the season(s)? If you have resurfaced this type of driveway yourself, any pointers/tips?

We have also thought about eliminating the black top and going the stamped concrete route, over pavers - as some folks in our area have done a stamped concrete driveway and they look really nice. Some say the stamped concrete outlasts the pavers - any opinions on either type?

Hope this thread is helpful to others.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have all three types. Concrete, asphault and pavers:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145450

Pavers look best, asphault is generally cheaper and thaws ice faster, and concrete is toughest and mid priced.

Jim

 

[Tech Guy]

Hahaha, I started with a black top driveway, then a paving crew removed it by mistake. I pounded the gravel so hard it was like a tennis court and then it was repaved for free. Now every 2-3 years I use Rustoleum epoxy driveway shield and it looks great. Dont have a pic at the moment. Rare to see anyting other than black top around here as in the winter the sun heats it up and helps melt the snow.

 

[n2ocamaro]

We have blacktop. I had sealer put on it once so far (been here 3 years). The driveway goes from 1 car wide at the street to 2 cars wide at the house back to the garage. I want to make it 2 wide all the way to the street (about 30 feet from the house). I really want concrete but afraid what that will cost

 

[ForceFed70]

Asphault here too.

I just re-sealed mine. Took over 20 gallons of sealer. It's 20 years old and from what I can tell it's never been sealed (we've owned the property for 2 years).

It's not difficult, but it is tedious. You need to patch, fill cracks, pressure wash, degrease, primer any oil stains, then put on the sealer.

 

[darkk]

Concrete, if done properly it will last almost forever.....and look prettier doing it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Gravel here, I toss down a few tons every few years.

 

[Steevo]

Mine is just a little more than a year old now. I had it done by a professional paving company, who mucked out at least 12" of the existing soil (up to 16" in places), spread and compacted a 6" plus layer of "river run" or small cobble with gravel/sand mix, then spread and compacted a 3" layer of decomposed granite, which ended up as hard as concrete, then they layed the 3" of asphalt on that base.

It is about 70 feet from the sidewalk in front to the front of the shop, plus the 40 feet of 8' wide alongside the shop.

It is easy to plow, melts fast, and it is a joy to be able to wheel things back and forth between the shop and the garage at the front of the house.

We'll see how it holds up over time, but I plan to re-seal after two or three years as recommended.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Stevo, How does it look after a year? Mine was done cheaply and probably fairly cold. It looks like ****. I would be very pissed had I paid out of pocket for it, but it came with the house.

Jim

 

[Highbeam]

In the last few years, with fuel and oil prices so high, the installation cost of asphalt has risen to near the same as concrete. You can no longer assume that asphalt will be cheaper.

Even if you have to pay a little extra for concrete, know that it is maintenance free and will last much longer. At least double.

Also, since asphalt is a flexible pavement the subgrade must be solid or else it will rut. Concrete will bridge over some nasty stuff so long as the whole subgrade is consistently either muck or solid.