A good driveway is more than about access for vehicles, it can create a home that will improve the kern appeal of a Melbourne home and offer long-term value. When choosing concrete driveways Melbourne, homeowners should pay attention to more than just looks and pay attention to things like drainage, ground conditions, available space, maintenance and architecture. Clean lines, durable materials and careful landscaping and preparation can help to make a modern design that will blend in with the property and hold up to the test of time.
How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost In Melbourne? - Concept Concrete
  1. The first choice of texture and character is 1.0 Exposed Aggregate.
If you're looking for something more unique than a regular concrete surface, exposed aggregate is a great choice.
Exposed aggregate can result in a more decorative appearance when concrete is exposed, as it brings texture and variation to the surface. Final color will depend on the type of aggregate used, color of aggregate and the finishing method used.
This allows for the driveway to be coordinated with other features of the property.
Neutral aggregate, for instance, can add to a modern house, which is often lighter in its render and landscaping; darker aggregates can add contrast to lighter walls or garage doors.
It is suitable for contemporary residences.
Exposed aggregate continues to be versatile because it doesn't need any elaborate patterns to give it visual interest. The surface's texture itself serves as the design element.
It can also be used in combination with a contrasting edging to produce a more distinguished driveway, without applying decorative patterns all over it.
  1. Create a Staggered, Layered Look with Textured Paving Stones.
Larger pavers are great for providing a cleaner look in the driveway and as fewer joints are seen in large driveways, the better.
This suits modern architecture, with straight lines, muted colors and basic geometric shapes being prevalent.
Grey, charcoal, beige and natural stone-inspired colors can all be effective, depending on the exterior of the home.
The layout matters
Different paving materials can appear completely different when installed in various ways.
Simple, linear layout can serve as an accent to the minimalist look. Contrast in the perimeter can create a sense of definition, and subtle color matching of pavers can enhance the surface as a whole or make individual pavers more prominent.
  1. Add an interesting texture to the concrete.
Concrete can be used to create a plain grey slab.
Modern concrete finishes can add color, texture and pattern to the clean look that makes concrete a great choice for many home driveways.
Depending on the design, homeowners might want to consider:
•            Exposed aggregate
•            Colored concrete
•            Stenciled concrete
•            Stamped finishes
•            Decorative borders
•            Textured surfaces
The right choice is dependent on the style of the home, and the prominence of the driveway in the front elevation.
Ensure the design is consistent with the property
One frequent design error is trying to dress up the driveway to include all of the decorative elements available.
It is better to first determine the property's design language.
Look at the:
•            Brick or render color
•            Roof
•            Garage door
•            Front path
•            Garden edging
•            Fencing
•            Outdoor materials
These elements can then be repeated or complemented in the driveway.
  1. Include Contrasting Borders to mark off the Space
To have a customized look, it's not necessary to have more than one material throughout the driveway.
A simple surface can be given enough definition with a contrasting border to make it look more considered.
Example of this would be using pavers when framing a concrete driveway, or a contrasting concrete edge for an aggregate drive.
What are the purposes of a border?
A proper border should be able to:
  • Define the edges
  • Relocate driveway away from gardens areas
  • Emphasize the driveway's shape
  • Create visual contrast
  • Connect the driveway with other hardscaping
It can also be useful. Clearly defined edges can help to make the transition between vehicle and garden areas smoother.
  1. Take advantage of Permeable Paving for water management purposes.
When designing a modern driveway you should keep in mind the water management, not only the aesthetics.
Depending on the system and site conditions, permeable paving systems can provide a path for water to pass through paving elements, pass between paving elements, and/or pass into an underlying drainage or infiltration system.
In such instances they may be worth considering for use in stormwater management in the driveway design.
But permeable paving isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to all properties.
It is suitable for use when;
•            Soil characteristics
•            Site slope
•            Existing drainage
•            Ground levels
•            Sub-base construction
•            Expected water flow
•            Maintenance

6. Incorporate Driveway with Landscaping and Lighting

One of the simplest methods to modernize a driveway is to not consider it as a solitary hard surface.
Rather, make the driveway, front garden, pathway and entrance one continuous space.
Minimize hard surfaces with landscaping.
You may include the following:
•            Native plants
•            Low-maintenance garden beds
•            Decorative gravel
•            Feature plants
•            Garden edging
•            Groundcover
Where appropriate, small trees are provided.
The objective isn't to cover the driveway with plants. To provide a natural gradient between hard and soft landscape.

7. Mix Materials to Create a Special Driveway Design

Using a combination of materials in driveways can offer a more personalized look without the need for a complex pattern.
Popular combinations are:
  • Concrete and pavers
  • Exposed aggregate and smooth concrete
  • Pavers and gravel
  • Concrete, Natural Stone
  • Using landscaped edges to pave
The essential is to assign a specific function to each material.
For instance, a wide concrete surface can be bordered with a thinner paver strip. The mix helps to create contrast and does not overwhelm the driveway.

Work with a limited range of materials.

A lot of different and unrelated material can create a disjointed frontage.
It's a great idea to choose one main material and accent it with the other. Colors should also match the other colors in the house.
This is especially significant if the building already has lots of robust materials, including brick, stone, timber and metal.
Ideal for: Residential properties where one wants to create a bespoke driveway that links various architecture and landscaping features.

What to Consider When Deciding on the Optimal Driveway Design?

  1. Ask yourself and your family about how you plan to use your driveway.
A driveway used by one small car is different to one regularly used by several cars, larger vehicles or by many visitors.
Think about:
•            Vehicle size
•            Frequency of use
•            Turning requirements
•            Parking arrangement
•            Garage access
•            Pedestrian movement
The real use of the driveway can be used to help identify suitable design.
  1. What are the site conditions?
Please see the site, before getting attached to any one material.
Important considerations include:
  • Existing surface
  • Ground levels
  • Slope
  • Soil
  • Drainage
  • Available width
  • The street is connected to the area.
  • Existing landscaping
These conditions should be considered by a contractor during the planning process.
  1. Are you ready to keep up the maintenance?
All driveways need maintenance, but to what degree and how often depends on each driveway.
Ask about:
•            Cleaning
•            Sealing
•            Weed control
•            Stain removal
•            Joint maintenance
•            Surface repairs
A simple driveway, that the owner would prefer to maintain in a certain way, might be a better long-term option than the one that he/she saw as being high maintenance yet attractive.
  1. Will It Fit Your Home?
Photograph the façade of your house and think about the different materials that might work with the existing facade construction.
Please do not judge a driveway by itself.
The best designs tend to join the driveway, front path, landscaping, garage and house together.

What Questions Should You Ask a Driveway Contractor?

Price is a factor, but should not be the only one looked at when comparing contractors.
When a quotation is requested:
What will be covered in the preparation?
Determine if excavation, removal of existing materials, base preparation and other site work are covered.
What will be done with the drainage?
A contractor should have an understanding of how water will be directed or managed as per the site conditions.
What material do you recommend and why?
The good answer should take into account the unique features of your home and not just hawk away the contractor's most popular product.
What maintenance needs will be necessary?
Inquire about expectations after installation and if there is a need for sealing or other maintenance after.
Are there other projects like this?
Completed work photos can give you an idea of how well the contractor will do their job and help you visualize various finishes in a different setting than a showroom.
What is the quote saying?
Review, not only the dollar amount, but scope of work, preparation, materials, finishing, clean-up and warranty.

Some common pitfalls that occur when building a common driveway that can cause problems with the final result.

The selection of material prior to surveying the site.

The material should shape the site, rather than the other way around.
The paint surface is the only area of the bicycle that is to be considered.
A driveway is just the surface that's visible. The quality of preparation, drainage and installation also impact on long term performance.

Forgetting the style of the property

A grand looking driveway can be the perfect enhancement to the property, but it can certainly look out of place when it contrasts the beauty of the front of the house.

Overcomplicating the design

In many ways, restraint is a key element in modern design. Too many colors, patterns and materials can create an unnecessary busy frontage.
Forgetting drainage
Water should be a factor when designing the driveway and not afterwards.

Choosing a contractor just because his or her price tag is the lowest

An initial quotation might not be the same price as a more extensive quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • So, what style of driveway is the most contemporary for Melbourne homes?
There are no universal styles. When paired with the property, minimalist concrete, exposed aggregate, large format pavers and thoughtfully crafted mixed aggregate surfaces can all provide for a modern look.
  • Is it better to have exposed aggregate or plain concrete?
There is no single definition of "better" because it is a matter of the homeowner's priorities. There is usually a greater level of texture and variation in exposed aggregate, whereas plain concrete is simpler in appearance. All of the above factors must be taken into account when it comes to maintenance, budget, site conditions and design preferences.
  • Can pavers be used for driveways?
Appropriate paving product and installation system selection for the intended vehicle use may make pavers suitable for residential driveways. Proper base preparation and drainage are important considerations.
  • What's the time to modernize an old driveway?
This can vary from resurfacing to replacing damaged sections, adding new borders, or the total replacement of the surface depending on the condition of the surface. Before making a judgement on what makes sense, the current driveway needs to be evaluated.
  • Is it best to plant in the yard prior to installing the driveway?
It is dependent on the project which sequence is the best. When working on the construction and landscaping of a driveway, it is best to consider the levels, drainage, edging and access in an integrated manner, rather than as separate projects.
  • So, what aspects do I need to consider when planning a new driveway?
First focus on site conditions, drainage and purpose of the construction, then on material, appearance and landscaping. The decorative elements of a driveway can only enhance the design when it works properly.

Conclusion

It's not difficult to make a splash in a home in Melbourne with a modern driveway.
Natural texture can be added by exposing aggregates. Clean geometric lines can be achieved with large format pavers. Decorative Concrete is flexible and contrasting borders can provide definition without overpowering the design. Where appropriate, a permeable water system can be used for water management, and landscaping can be used to join the driveway to the rest of the front yard.
The key is that there's no driveway solution that's perfect for all Melbourne properties.
The selection depends on the conditions of the site, the use of the driveway, the architecture of the home, the drainage needs and maintenance requirements and budget.
When choosing, don't just think about the outcome of the color or pattern, think about how it will look. If you are not sure what the drive will be, the care required for it, how water will be dealt with, etc. are questions you need to ask; ask if the proposed design is appropriate for your property!
That's a more likely way to get a driveway that will look right and work long after the work is done.