Driveways have been a part of almost every household. A space that is beneficial for anyone with a car, driveways are also sold together with the house. They are usually designed on a flat surface, but some elevated homes and garages have sloped driveways.
If ever you want a driveway and you have a sloped area, designing one should be properly done. A sloped driveway isn’t just a fixture of concrete, but it should also take into consideration the length, width, and shape the driveway should have that would also affect the aesthetics when building one. Though putting a driveway can mean too much work, you should be able to know the basics first. Because, who knows? You might need to build one anytime soon.
Sloping
The first thing to consider when building a driveway on a slope is the sloping itself. Some slopes are very steep, and some aren’t. You must first check the elevation of the slope as this will determine if you should make your driveway a curved or a straight one.
Nonetheless, as a general rule, sloped driveways should not rise more than 15 feet over a length of 100 feet. Thus, the rise of the ground from the starting point to the parking space must be taken into account, and if found too steep, might as well landscape the area first to follow such standards.
Driveway Size
When planning to build a standard driveway on a slope, the area should also be regarded. You should measure from which point the driveway starts and ends to set how big your driveway should be. The average driveway must be at least 10 to 12 feet wide, and if curves are added, must be more than the average.
Hence, there should be a reasonable space for the driveway to set a larger movement space allowance for all types of private vehicles. Moreover, it is also needed to have a wider area at the top of the slope to provide a larger parking space for more than just one vehicle; a 12 x 18 space is feasible at the top, but better if you can provide more.
Types of Driveways
The varying shapes of driveways do not only provide aesthetics but also come with functionality. Here are the different types and when it is feasible to use them:
Straight Driveways
Straight driveways are the most typical design. Because of its simplicity, it is more convenient for users and builders to build one. This type of driveway is good for driveways that do not require too much length. You might use this for sloped driveways, but make sure it is elevated well; so when the rain comes, it will not pool in one area but will go straight to the bottom of the driveway or the street.
Curved Driveways
If you are wondering why some people prefer curved ones, the main reason for this is the distance from the start of the driveway to its end. Curved driveways are commonly used for long ways, so the slope would evenly distribute the steepness and avoid slipping when the concrete gets wet. However, curved driveways should need an additional width area.
Finishing up Sloped Driveways
Sure your sloped driveway is done but it should need some beautification too. Like normal driveways, landscaping should be done at the sides of the driveway. You may want to put some shrubs or bushes on the sides of the path or get a little extra by putting some solar-powered light. Light is beneficial during the night, as this will set the width of the driveway once there is zero visibility during night or heavy rainfall.
