Concrete Driveway Extension: 4 Important Things To Know!

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Do you need to pull in and out of your driveway on an angle? Looks like you need more space. Why not go for a concrete driveway extension to meet your growing needs?

A concrete driveway extension is a great way to add more space to your driveway and make it easier to get your car in and out. It can also increase the value of your home.

A concrete driveway extension can also make it easier to get in and out of your car and provide additional parking space when you have guests.

1. What is a Concrete Driveway Extension?

A concrete driveway extension is a new section of concrete that is added to the side or the end of an existing driveway. It depends on whether you need more width or more length.

The concrete driveway extension can be any length or width, but it is typically made of the same type of concrete as the existing driveway.

However, it is also possible to extend your driveway by using other materials such as gravel, concrete pavers or even brick. It really depends on your budget and the timeframe.

2. Why Extend Your Driveway?

There are many reasons why folks might want to extend their driveways.

• They may have bought another car or truck and need a parking spot for it.
• They are tired of pulling in and out of the driveway on an angle.
• They want to have additional space for their kids to play.
• They may want to make the driveway more accessible for people with disabilities.
• They want to increase the curb appeal and the value of their home before putting it on sale.

Your reason may be one of the above or something totally different. Whatever your reason, the ultimate objective is to get more space on your driveway.

Concrete driveway extension can take many forms:

• Add width to one side
• Add width on both sides
• Extend it deeper into the lot or backyard
• Add a semi-circular section or a curve to make entry and exit easier
• Add a rectangular section to allow for more parking space

3. Driveway Extension Options

Here are the different options that you have for a concrete driveway extension:

Driveway Extension Using Concrete

If you have a concrete driveway then it is logical to use poured concrete for your concrete driveway extension. You will need to pour a concrete slab on the extended area, just the way you made the original driveway.

Be sure to leave an expansion joint between the old slab and the new slab and follow all the best practices when pouring concrete for the new slab.

While you will have the concrete driveway extension, the new section will be distinct in looks from the old section. You could live with this or go the next step of getting a uniform new look for the entire driveway by resurfacing it.

Here are a few resurfacing options you could consider:

• Skim Coat Concrete Overlay
• Stained Concrete Overlay
• Stampable Concrete Overlay
• Microtopping
• Concrete Resurfacer
• Epoxy Coating
• Rubber Coating

Use any of these and you will have a bigger concrete driveway that looks amazing too. and Of course, none of these methods come cheap!

If you have a smaller budget for your project you could consider one of the two options below.

Driveway Extension Using Pavers

Using concrete pavers for driveway extensions will get the job done without breaking the bank. Pavers can be made from a variety of materials, including concrete, brick, and stone.

A paver driveway extension will certainly be distinct from the driveway, but with the right choice of material and color, it can actually complement the gray concrete driveway.

For example, a paver extension to the driveway that is also adjacent to the front or side of your house could double both as extra car parking and a patio.

A paver driveway extension is not the cheapest alternative to concrete driveway extension but it is quite durable and attractive.

Driveway Extension Using Gravel

Gravel is a popular option for driveway extensions because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Gravel driveway extension can look pretty decent if it is of the same width on both sides of the existing driveway.

For example, you could convert a 16′ wide driveway into a 22′ wide driveway by adding 3′ strips of grave on each side.

This could be quite useful for alighting from your car, especially in areas where it rains a lot. Gravel extensions are water permeable and as such rain will not form puddles on it.

A gravel extension does require some maintenance though to keep it free from weeds. You also need to rake it regularly and replenish gravel occasionally.

4. Planning Concrete Driveway Extension

Before you start planning the concrete driveway extension, there are a few things you need to consider:

• The size of the extension.
• The type of concrete to use.
• The labor costs in your area.
• The permits required in your municipality.

In most municipalities, you will need to obtain a permit from the city or county before you can start construction on a concrete driveway extension.

Once you have obtained a permit, you may also need to have your driveway extension inspected by a licensed contractor or inspector.

This is to ensure that the work is done properly and that it meets all applicable codes and regulations.

The cost of permits and inspections will vary depending on the location and the size of the project.

However, it is important to factor these costs into your budget when planning a concrete driveway extension.

Once you have considered these factors and obtained the permit, you can start to plan the details of your driveway extension.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The extension in driveway length should be the same width as the existing driveway, both for aesthetics and functionality.
• The extension should be at least 12 feet long so that you can pour a decent sized concrete slab on grade.
• The extension should be sloped away from your house to prevent water runoff. In case of extensions to the sides, make sure the new section slopes away from the old section.
• The extension should be made of the same type of concrete as the existing driveway.
• Ensure that you incorporate expansion joints between the new and the old section of the driveway.
• You also need an expansion joint between the new slab and the house foundation or any other rigid obstruction.
• Incorporate reinforcing and contraction joints in the new slab as per the best practices.
• Once the extension has been completed and the new concrete has fully cured, make sure to seal it.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

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The Best Sealers for Your Concrete Driveway or Patio

A topical sealer is essential for protecting concrete surfaces from water permeation that can damage the concrete from within and compromise its lifespan.

I highly recommend Foundation Armor Concrete Sealers. Pick the one that best meets your aesthetic and application preference.

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Bottom Line

A concrete driveway extension is a great way to add more space to your driveway and make it easier to get in and out of your car. It can also increase the value of your home.

If you are considering a concrete driveway extension, be sure to plan carefully. Keep in mind that this is also an opportunity to repair and restore the existing sections of the driveway.

Thank you very much for reading this post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.