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How-To > Building your Driveway
If you are planning to build a driveway, you will have to consider the weight of the vehicles that will be driving on the driveway. Depending on the weight of the vehicles, the structure will be slightly different. This will also be the case depending on the ground that the driveway is built on. You will also need to determine whether you wish to finish the driveway with gravel, tarmac or concrete.
Generally, the structure of building driveways will be the same for driveways carrying all types of vehicles, it will just be the depth of the layers that will vary, to accommodate the weight of the vehicle. For guidance of how to construct your driveway, see table.
| Depth Guidance for 1-3 ton Driveway Structures | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Condition (what's mine?) | Soft | Normal | Hard |
 Finishing Layer (Blocks/Gravel) | Finishing Options | ||
 Sub-Base (Oversite) | 100mm | 100mm | 100mm |
 Capping Layer | 200mm | 100mm | N/A |
Answers to some common questions
Do I need a sub-base and capping layer?
The simple answer to this question is ‘it depends’! Whether you need a Sub-Base, will depend on what it is you are constructing, the weight that will be endured by you patio and the type of ground that you are constructing on… show me more
If your driveway will be built on hard ground and will only be subjected to the weight of up to 3 tons then there is no necessity to use a capping layer and a sub-base, you can simply start the construction with the sub-base layer. If the driveway is on any other ground type or is used for vehicles of greater weight than 3 tons, a capping layer and a sub-base layer will be required to prevent the driveway from sinking under pressure.
If my ground is soft or not free draining (eg. clay), should I drain it?
Yes we recommend making french drains under the surface… show me more
These are ‘trenches’ filled with shingle, that allow the water to drain away that has soaked into the ground. Ensure that you direct the trenches to soak away to an appropriate place eg. a road, or drain and not towards the house. The trenches may need to be slightly un-level, being lower at the end of the soak away.
How can I prevent weeds growing through my driveway?
To prevent weeds growing through paving and gravel on driveways, you can also add a layer of landscape fabric (geotextile)… show me more
A layer of landscape fabric (geotextile) between layers will prevent them growing up though the ground. This can be added either below the capping layer or in-between the Sub-Base Layer and the Finishing Layer.