Adding a DIY driveway can be a simple way to enhance your home’s parking space or improve its appearance.
Here are three relatively easy options to consider:
- Create a parking pad by clearing out grass and using mulch. This is a cost-effective and quick solution, but keep in mind that mulch is not a long-term option. It breaks down over time, washes away in heavy rain, and fades in the sun. To prevent weed growth, use a store-bought landscape barrier or lay down newspaper. Alternatively, you can use other loose materials like gravel, stones, or crushed oyster shells.
- Construct a DIY driveway using pavers made of concrete or bricks. This provides a more stable parking option. You can either hire professionals or do it yourself by following online tutorials. The process involves excavating the area, installing a base material such as crushed concrete, compacting it, adding a layer of sand, laying the paver blocks in your desired pattern, placing a border row of bricks with a poured concrete edge restraint, and finally filling the joints between the bricks with sand. When installed correctly, a paver driveway can last for many years.
- Opt for a classic concrete driveway, which remains the most common choice worldwide. Concrete driveways are cost-effective, durable, and visually appealing. However, pouring concrete requires more expertise compared to installing pavers. If you’re a beginner, it’s advisable to start with a smaller project like a sidewalk before tackling a larger area.