If you’re considering installing a driveway in your new home or upgrading, you will need to understand Australian standards. Properties in Australia must follow specific driveways standards, ensuring safety and correct dimensions.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know, from choosing suitable materials to planning the installation process. If you follow our guide, you will get a better idea of what standards you will need for your new driveway; keep reading if you’d like to find out.
The importance of your Driveway
The first visible element of your house is your driveway, so ensure you make it secure and aesthetically pleasing while meeting Australian standards. The most common elements include cement and pavers, which enhance durability, helping to withstand heavy use. These are compulsory to include when following driveway standards.
While adding value and functionality, the driveway also can show personality with custom designs. From selecting materials to creating intricate patterns, crafting a driveway that both looks great and withstands Australian conditions can be advantageous, making it worth the effort when visitors arrive at your home.
The two types of Driveways in Australia
Two distinct types of driveways can be seen throughout the country, and these are private and public. Having both types of driveways in Australia allows for easy transport and travel for those who reside there.
Private Driveways
Private driveways are typically found leading up to a residence of some kind, such as a house, apartment building or business. These are usually made from concrete and offer an individual easy access to their property.
Public Driveways
On the other hand, numerous people can access public driveways, such as a university campus entrance or shopping centre parking lot. They tend to have more room for large vehicles to move about due to their large size and multiple lanes available for traffic flow.
Rules for Public and Private Driveways
State regulations have established width and length requirements for public and private driveways to ensure general safety. Private driveways must be large enough to navigate yet narrow enough to effectively fit an average residential area. This means they must measure 3 metres in width and 2 metres in length.
On the other hand, public driveways serve multiple uses, so they must be more extensive and occupy more space. They must be at least 5 metres wide and 3 metres long to fit vehicles of all sizes, including buses and delivery vans. Ultimately, these guidelines are designed with everyone’s well-being in mind by providing sufficient space for safe entry and exit.
Driveway Thickness
Proper driveway thickness will determine the structural capacity of the driveway. While it might not be so crucial for residential properties, it is something to be considered for commercial use.
Most recommendations say that you should boost the thickness of your driveway from four to five inches if you want a 50% load increase. That means your concrete budget might also increase, so take some time to determine if this is required and affordable. You should also think about adding some thickness to areas that might be more subject to heavy loads, such as the edges of the driveway.
Kerb or gutter to requirements for Driveways
Driveways are important surfaces as they can accommodate many vehicle types and weather conditions, yet wear and tear is a natural factor we must anticipate. Adding a gutter or kerb is essential to managing regular exposure to the elements, as it prevents pooled water from causing damage over time.
This simple solution helps to ensure the safety, smoothness and longevity of driveways by providing practicality, convenience and peace of mind that your driveway will remain protected, no matter what the forecast holds.
Implement suitable grading to ensure proper drainage
Properly grading a driveway is vital in keeping it in good condition. Without this process, rainwater or melted snow will not properly drain off the top layer and can cause damage to the underlying surface. Effective grading requires an even slope across the entire length, ensuring that water will always travel away from home and towards a drainage swale or street gutter.
Conclusion
Your driveway is one of the essential parts of your house or business but can often be overlooked. While signs of wear and tear may not be evident at first, they can certainly develop over time if you are not careful. You should ensure that you start building right and following all essential standards. Those who maintain good quality will reap the benefits down the road.
Photo by Matt Jones on Unsplash
