We have mentioned this quite a few times in posts and to customers and we get the same question all the time: What is a driveway apron?
The driveway apron is the part of the driveway within the public right of way, generally from the curb section of the roadway to the front edge of the sidewalk or property line. While communities are picky about driveway aprons, they are even pickier about curb cuts, as a system of curbs and gutters is part of a larger drainage system.
Sometimes the apron is also referred to as the “approach” as it is the part of your entryway that approaches your home since it goes from the public road to your home.
The construction and maintenance of driveway aprons on public roads is typically the responsibility of the owner of the property.
What are the parts of a driveway called?
Driveway Apron: The part between the street and the house
As mentioned before, the driveway apron is the part of the driveway that meets the road or public way. It is typically flared out in order to accommodate incoming and outgoing vehicles.
Driveway Curb Cut: The opening that allows vehicles access to the home
The driveway curb cut is the opening in the driveway where vehicles enter the driveway. This can be an actual hole in the ground, a ramp or other type of structure.
Driveway Gutters: Drainage solutions
Driveway gutters are drainage solutions that help keep water away from your driveway and walkway. They are typically constructed using piping surrounded by gravel or stone and are placed along the sides of the driveway.
What materials to use for your driveway apron?
Your local municipality may have specific requirements regarding what type of material you can use for your apron. You should check with your local building inspector before committing to one or the other.
Most commonly, they are made of the same material that is used for your driveway, OR if it is maintained by the town you live in, the same material used to pave the roadways, or sidewalk material.
They are typically made from:
- The same material as your driveway
- Asphalt
- Concrete
- Gravel
- Accent Material that contrasts with your driveway for added curb appeal
- Concrete
- Stone
- Brick
- Pavers
- Gravel
Should I hire someone or do the apron myself?
There are several factors when thinking about whether or not you should hire someone or just do it yourself.
1. Do you have the ability to do it?
Some people are extraordinarily handy, and can accomplish this easily, as it is not hard to do it yourself. However, without time and patience. If you simply cannot afford to hire someone to do it, but you are not very hand yourself, then you might be setting yourself up for failure and end up having a big mess on your hands.
However, if you do try it, and fail, you can also just clear it and dump gravel, until you are able to fix it later. You may need to make sure that you are checking with local authorities on whether or not you are allowed to do this though. As mentioned before, there also might be guidelines and rules around it too.
2. Do you have the time to do it?
I mentioned this before, but if it takes you 30 hours to do this yourself, and your time is vauled at, say $50 per hour (I would highly recommend you take the time to determine what your personal time is worth, mine, for example, is 3X what I charge while at work, this is because my personal time is more valuable to me since I have precious little of it). That means you can put a value on you doing it yourself. $1,500, plus materials, tools, etc.
3. Do you have the money to do it?
Using the metric above, lets say it is $5,000 to do your drive, then doing it yourself might seem like a good idea, plus you get to learn a new skill, and/or use those tools that your significant other says you bought but never use…
Prices vary wildly from job to job, the material used, experience, how busy the industry is at the time. All of those things can factor into pricing.
Something to take into consideration when evaluating pricing is curb appeal. This is often overlooked, but curb appeal can add a lot of value to your home. As well as increase a sense of wellbeing for those who live there. It is always nice to pull up to a nice-looking home. The cost of making that look bad could impact the ability to sell the home, refinance, or even attract desirable neighbors.
Taking these things into consideration may increase the value of what you think it would cost to improve your driveway apron.
I am going to do it myself, now what?
If you are determined to try and do it yourself, I would recommend the link below. This should be a good starting point for you.
Driveway Apron: Learn How to Install One Over a Weekend – This …
Day-to-day Timeline
Friday: Measure and mark the driveway and remove the old paving (Steps 1-5).
Saturday: Prepare the bed, lay the cobblestones, and grout (Steps 6–18).
I would like someone else to do it, how do I get started?
We would recommend requesting quotes from 3 or 4 different places around you. You can search for paving companies and even landscapers or masons if you are looking to do something decorative to add curb appeal.
If you are interested in having us collect quotes on your behalf, then you can send submit a quote request with us.
So now you should know the answer to what is a driveway apron, and be able to make a good decision on whether or not to improve on yours.
