Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Nov 17, 2008 10:56 am This is our driveway as it currently is. As you can see, it's pretty terrible.
With money going on some many other projects, does anyone have any affordable suggestions of what on earth we can do to make this 1. look better and 2. actually be useable and not wreck a car when driving up it. Ultimatley, we want to properly concrete etc when we build a garge etc in two years time (other things to do first unfortunately ) It's a sloping block, just to make it more fun. The previous owner just put the gravel over the top and first big rain storm that went through has washed it all back to the bottom of the driveway *sigh* Which the tenants are none to happy about.... Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 4Nov 17, 2008 12:47 pm Hey Karol, i'm not sure what type of gravel was used that washed away but here in Melbourne we have Lillydale and Tuscan toppings which is fine stone mixed with a coloured sort of ganitic sand base. This actually can be compacted down and is rock hard once done.
There is plenty of info on them on the web, maybe also check out this link: http://www.haddens.com.au/topp.html, to see what they look like. Most garden supply places would sell them or something similar i'd suspect? We paid $70 a cubic metre plus delivery so it might be a cheap option? Just measure out your area and the thickness you desire, clean out your area and put in some treated pine or something to contain the toppings, fill and compact! Hope that helps? Good Luck! Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 5Nov 17, 2008 1:08 pm Nicola - you make it sound so easy! I will definitely look into - the Tuscan toppings colourings would really suit what we plan and if they go rock hard it means we would probably be happier with it longer term.
Thanks so much Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 6Nov 17, 2008 1:22 pm Karol, if you want to make it even easier, arrange yourself a bobcat and operator for 1/2 a day and save yourself the hard work? Let them dig it out and prepare it for you and refill and pack it with the Tuscan toppings and then wet it/hose it down or get yourself a roller or a whacker until it compacts down (or even the bobcat but think that will just churn it back up again.....
You should be able to use it pretty much straigh away. How big is the slope btw? what sort of degree angle are we talking about? It wont be too hard...i hope Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 7Nov 17, 2008 2:16 pm I agree with Phoenix. We'll be having Lilydale Toppings (or one of the Toppings ) and our driveway will have a slope.
Most people out in our estate use them to give a casual country look, and there is plenty of slope throughout the estate. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 8Nov 17, 2008 2:17 pm road ballast its about 30-60mm in diameter and wont wash away Da Vinci Outdoor Living Architectural landscaping http://www.davincioutdoor.com Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 9Nov 18, 2008 11:29 am When trying to find info on Nicola's suggestion, I actually came across a company who does red/brown Asphalt driveways etc.
Has anyone embarked on an Asphalt driveway project? Was it reasonably priced? Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 10Nov 18, 2008 9:57 pm Hey Karol, asphalt is as expensive as laying good concrete, last time i had quotes done, if not more.
Also asphalt will over time crack, sink and move especially if its on a incline (ours did), so make sure if thats what you want to do, check out jobs a few years old in similar inclines to yours and see how they look. Even tap on the door and ask the owners and see what they think? Or you can go an exposed aggregate concrete in an all black mix that will look very similar? Definitely a cheaper option than asphalt in my opinion. But then prices may be different up there? Not sure?? Good Luck! Re: What can we do about our driveway on a limited budget? 11Nov 19, 2008 8:22 am Hrm. I'm not convinced I like how it looks in urban areas... and if it's going to be as expensive as concrete well... forget it
I'm having trouble finding somewhere up here that sells something similar to the toppings. I will keep hunting though! Coming back to your old stomping grounds, huh? Renovations on a budget can be quite the journey. It's like giving your house a new lease on life. The twist of not knowing… 1 3484 To my understanding early saw cuts are to control shrinkage cracks, so doing them now would be pointless. Control joints may reduce ugly cracking during periods of soil… 3 9863 |