
Asphalt driveway repair costs account for everything from hairline cracks to complete overhauls. Learn what to expect from your asphalt repair bill.
There’s a lot going on under your driveway’s surface
Your driveway may seem like a big concrete slab, but believe it or not, it has a lot of components. Don’t take your driveway for “granite”—familiarize yourself with all the driveway terminology you need to understand how complex all the parts of your driveway actually are. Doing so will help you understand when to repair or replace your driveway and appreciate how deceptively simple it is.
You might be surprised to find out that there are names for pretty much every part of your driveway, from the road to the house and from the ground to the surface. A lot goes into a quality driveway, so here’s the driveway terminology you should know in case anything ever goes wrong.
Asphalt is a paving material created from aggregate minerals cemented together with asphalt cement. This type of material sets over crushed stone, slag, gravel, brick, paving blocks, or Portland cement concrete.
This will allow the asphalt to bond to the pre-existing surface for more desired results and a longer life for the paved area.
Aggregate is crushed stone used as a sub-base for concrete, cement, or asphalt driveways. The stone provides the necessary surface area for the top material to adhere to and forms a stable base for driveway materials.
The process involves compressing soil and paving materials to reduce or remove air voids. This process creates a more structurally stable surface when compacted and aids in preventing premature damage to the completed paved surface.
Compaction requires large industrial equipment, which can place tremendous amounts of pressure to release trapped air.
Not to be confused with concrete, cement is a mixture created using various chemicals and Portland lime. This material is usually purchased in a dry form and mixed with water.
When the cement is spread out and allowed to dry, it creates a hard material with a strong density level.
Concrete is a paving and construction material created by mixing cement, sand, and crushed stone with water. When hardened, concrete driveways will not break down under the pressures of driving or walking over the surface.
Pavers are small, artificial blocks of stone, clay, or cement that form the driveway’s surface. They are placed in an interlocking pattern to increase strength and durability and increase visual appeal.
The driveway apron is the section of the driveway that meets the street. This section can comprise the same material as the driveway itself or, for some added charm, if you have a cement or concrete driveway, pavers or paver mats work just fine.
The curb cut is the section of your driveway where the curb ends and apron access begins.
Also called the curb return, these sections are located on either side of the driveway apron and cover the elevation change between the curb and the driveway surface.
An elongated tube or basin built into a driveway that diverts water away from a structure. Trench drains often sit in front of garage doors and other entrances.
Beyond the actual driveway itself (made from a material such as asphalt, aggregate, or concrete), there are a few key parts of a driveway:
Driveway apron: Where the driveway meets the street
Curb cut: Where the curb ends and the apron begins
End slopes: On either side of the apron; bridge the difference in elevation between the curb and the actual driveway
Trench drain: Where water is diverted from the driveway so it doesn’t flood the garage, house, or yard
The driveway apron is a technical term referring to where a private driveway meets the public street. If there is a sidewalk in front of the house, the driveway apron is typically on the opposite side of the public sidewalk from the driveway itself.
A driveway approach is the part of a driveway where the public road meets the private driveway. This section contains several key elements, including the driveway apron, the curb cut, and the end slope. Depending on the slope of the driveway, this area may also contain the trench drain.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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