When you think about your driveway, your mind might not consider that there are different options. In many cases, driveways aren’t designed with functionality in mind, creating a space that can feel unusable, even though it is supposed to be the entry to your home. This may become even more apparent during the fall season, where the driveway becomes the center of your home. From the first day of school pictures to jack-o-lantern displays, the driveway suddenly plays a different role in your family’s memories in a way that differs from the other seasons. And with school drop-off, or teenagers leaving the house on their own every morning, having a driveway that doesn’t meet your family’s needs becomes even more apparent. One way to make your driveway work better for you is by having it extended, which creates much more space for cars or activities. Consider extending your driveway now, before the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving, when you could really use the driveway space; and before the first frost hits.
Now that you know it is possible to extend your driveway, you’re probably wondering how the process works. The first step is to contact a professional. You might think this is a project you can take on yourself, but there’s actually quite a bit done before the extension process even begins that requires someone who understands the complexity of concrete. The contractor will begin by leveling and preparing the existing surface, and ensuring it is structurally sound. Then the extension can begin, where the contractor will start by excavating the area being extended, identical to the process of creating your initial driveway. Then they will pour and smooth the new concrete, while customizing any additional features, like color or surface, to your liking. At the end, they will seal the entirety to ensure it will last.
Driveway Extension Options
Once you decide that a driveway extension is right for your home, there are a few different ways you can go about it, from reshaping, to lengthening, and more. No matter which path you choose to take, rest assured your driveway will be more functional.
Widening
One of the concerns that can be addressed by driveway extension is how many cars your driveway can hold. The easiest way to solve this problem is by widening the driveway. For example, if your driveway can currently only fit one car, you can have it extended to fit two cars across, which is perfect if you have new family members driving this autumn whose cars won’t fit in the garage. You can also have your driveway widened in order to fit other kinds of vehicles, like RVs and boats, making this the ideal solution if you’re tired of paying to park in the off season.
Extending
If you have a large property, extending your driveway is a great way to make better use of your space. Extending your driveway involves lengthening the driveway you currently have to attach it to other areas. If you have a barn, an additional garage, and/or a shed, having a driveway extension can provide a clear and easily managed pathway to these areas. This is also an excellent solution if you store additional vehicles and machinery in those outpost structures, since the driveway extension will create a smooth surface that will let you move machinery with ease.
Addition
For families who love to host kids and adults alike, a driveway addition is a must-have enhancement for your home’s exterior. Think of an addition as being a new zone for your driveway, providing more space your family will quickly make use of. An addition is perfect if you have kids, giving them a distinct area to play basketball, draw with chalk, and ride bikes in a safe spot away from the road. Even if kids aren’t a part of your immediate family, a driveway addition can still be useful. It can give you room for a basketball hoop of your own, provide a space for your cars to turn around, and act as an additional parking area for large parties.
Create a New Shape
When you think of a home designed with entertaining in mind, one thing you may picture is a U-shaped driveway lined with party guests’ cars. Creating a new driveway shape, whether in a U or Y formation, is not only a show-stopping entrance to your home, but a functional one. When you have guests over, it allows for easy entrance and exit to your home, a feature that is essential for entertainers. Even when you aren’t hosting, easy entry and exit is a benefit, especially if you have a longer driveway. A U or Y-shape will allow you to exit the driveway without backing out, allowing for you to see incoming traffic more clearly.
Additional Benefits
At this point, you’re likely thinking that the only point of a driveway extension is to increase function. But your home’s exterior shouldn’t be exclusively functional-it should be an area you love just as much as the interior. Fortunately, function isn’t the sole benefit of a driveway extension, and it can provide value in many other ways, both aesthetically and financially.
- Accessibility
- If you have family members with accessibility needs, a driveway extension is a great way to adapt your home. A wider driveway can allow for more space for wheelchairs to move around, making it easier for wheelchair users to get in and out of cars.
- Increased Resale Value
- A driveway extension is a great way to utilize unused space, and is an investment that won’t go unnoticed when it’s time to sell your home. A driveway alone can increase your home’s value by 10 percent, so you can imagine the kind of value a well-planned driveway can add to your home. Buyers will certainly appreciate the ability to store more cars or access other parts of the property more easily, making it an impactful difference.
- Less Space to Mow
- Mowing your lawn can be a time consuming process, and can be expensive if you hire someone else to mow for you. By extending your driveway, you will not only create additional space for cars and other vehicles, but you will reduce the amount of grass, allowing you to cut back on mowing time and landscaping costs.
- Improve Curb Appeal
- Choosing a driveway extension that compliments your home is a great way to enhance curb appeal, especially if you are choosing a new shape. Another great way to add a more decorative touch while extending your driveway is opting for a textured finish with stamped concrete, which can mimic a stone or brick pattern. You can also customize the color of your driveway during an extension, allowing you to perfectly match it to the color of your home.
Schedule Driveway Extension Consultation Today
As you can see, there are numerous options to choose from when it comes to extending your driveway as well as great benefits that it offers.
At Summit Concrete, we’re dedicated to helping you update your driveway to your exact specifications.
Contact us today to start planning your driveway extension. If you’re looking for additional inspiration, please check out our galleries. We also share our most recent works of art on our Instagram and Facebook, so be sure to give us a follow.
