Remodeling my house. Driveway suggestions?

[T_Raven]

Bought this house last Nov. Spent a couple months working on remodeling it before I deployed to Afghanistan. Some of you have probably seen post about me working in Iraq..and getting kicked out lol. I wasn't planning to come back over here but income at home sucked so I came back over in March. I also got married in Aug while I was home on leave. I have a house and wife, I'm such an adult now.

One of the main things I'm planning to do when I get home is redo my driveway and add to it. I've pretty much decided on concrete for all of it. It's about 3500 sq ft total, so I'd like it to look a little better than just a big plain slab of concrete. I'm not trying to spend a fortune though. so if anyone has any suggestions of how to make it look good I'd appreciate the input. I've been looking at pictures on the web for a while but haven't found anything.

Front of the house

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/yard5-1.jpg

Drawing of what I want paved so I can drive in and out of the garage and shop and park to the side of each. The house is on one of the busiest streets in town so I want a nice big parking lot out front to park all my cars in as well as turn around in so my wife and I don't have to back out into traffic.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/parking-1.png

[T_Raven]

Might as well show of the rest of the house

This was a forclosure. it was smoked in and I guess the PO was a bit of a horder. Unfortunately they had cleaned out all the junk. I would rather have bought it a little cheaper and cleaned it up myself. 3 bd 2 bath upstairs with 3rd bath/laundry room upstairs. 2 bd 1 bath down stairs. I think it's 2300 sq ft with the basement, sitting on .4 acres. Shop is 27x44 inside. Paid $93,000 for it.

Here is the living room before

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/livingroom2-1.jpg

And after. I wanted to remove the chimney completely but I'm pretty sure it's load bearing, so I sheet rocked around it. The fireplace went all the way through so I sheet rocked the inside and left the hole. People come over and are confused by the hole lol.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/421632_10151320735000034_673815033_22860-1.jpg

Another angle before and after

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/livingroom1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/livingroom9-1.jpg

Master bedroom was disgusting. Red walls and carpet, cigarette burns and stains all over the carpet.

Before and after

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/master-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/master9-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/master2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/master10-1.jpg

[gak68]

See if anybody does stamp-crete in your area it is pretty cool stuff.

[astroracer]

Like he said... You can also check into coloring the concrete. A friend of mine just built a huge barn and the concrete guy did a checkerboard pattern in the approach, looks real nice.

[regal454]

I would recomment cutting in the control joints in the concrete instead of tooling them in. This way you can roll a jack over them. You'll be glad you did.

[T_Raven]

Kitchen was a horrible combination of orange walls and yellow counter tops lol

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/kitchen3-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/kitchen2-1.jpg

So far only painted the walls and replaced the appliances

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/kitchen7-1.jpg

Originally we were going to try to do the kitchen as cheap as possible and just paint the cabinets, re laminate the counters, and tile the floor. But we're most likely going to redo the whole thing instead.

this is roughly the layout I want to go with. The placement of the fridge would disrupt the whole "kitchen triangle" thing but the fridge I want is big and would go well there.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/kitchenlayout2-1.png

[T_Raven]

Garage and shop

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/garage2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/shop10-1.jpg

The shop isn't as big as I'd like, but with all the room I have to park cars in front and behind it, it'll work. I'm going to install a lift as well as some other equipment. Finish the sheet rock and paint it. Either stain or epoxy the floor. Once the shop is done I can finally take my 67 apart. I've had it for 14 years but never had a place to take it apart to do the body work.

Big back yard. There's a garage door on the back side of the shop. I've got three cars sitting back there under the trees. I'd like to put something down to park on so they're not in the mud and maybe make some kind of cover to park under to keep pine needles and snow off of them.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/yard7-1.jpg

And what was left of the mess the PO left behind. Some one actually went to the trouble of nailing all those branches to the deck.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/yard4-1.jpg

[T_Raven]

See if anybody does stamp-crete in your area it is pretty cool stuff.

This is one thing I want to check out. From what I've read online it sounds like it adds a lot to the cost but I'll have to get a quote. I could do the lanes in front of the doors just regular flat slabs and then stamped stuff on the sides.


Like he said... You can also check into coloring the concrete. A friend of mine just built a huge barn and the concrete guy did a checkerboard pattern in the approach, looks real nice.

I forgot all about coloring. I'll check that out


I would recomment cutting in the control joints in the concrete instead of tooling them in. This way you can roll a jack over them. You'll be glad you did.

Excellent idea, I never thought about that. I'm sure I'll be rolling plenty of stuff around out there.

[Cole]

Pavers!

[T_Raven]

Pavers!

Pavers are sweet. It sounds like they are pretty expensive though. I'm thinking about doing a border either with pavers or stamped, and keep the rest flat so I can roll stuff around on it.

[astroracer]

You have tons of options for your concrete. Just have a few quotes done to get an idea on prices.
I forgot to mention in my first post, you have done a hell-uva-job on the inside of the house! Keep up the good work!
Mark

[T_Raven]

You have tons of options for your concrete. Just have a few quotes done to get an idea on prices.
I forgot to mention in my first post, you have done a hell-uva-job on the inside of the house! Keep up the good work!
Mark


Thanks man, it's a lot of work but it's been a lot of fun. The walls were smoke stained from all the cigarettes. We had to scrub them all with TSP, primered everything twice and finally painted.

If anyone is planning to get carpet in the future, I got the softest stuff at Lowes and used memory foam pad. It's like walking on bunnies.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

You know what walking on bunnies feels like? :lol: Congrats on the house. Looks like it's coming along nicely!

[BonzoHansen]

Nice work.

The before shots of the kitchen look like the house from the brady bunch lol

[FlyDoc]

1973 called and they want there kitchen back! lol.

the driveway best to do is to stain it looks out standing.
you could put in drive on / storage lifts and free up some space.
the house is looking good. to bad Kitchens are so expensive to remodel!

http://www.concretenetwork.com/

[T_Raven]

1973 called and they want there kitchen back! lol.

the driveway best to do is to stain it looks out standing.
you could put in drive on / storage lifts and free up some space.
the house is looking good. to bad Kitchens are so expensive to remodel!

http://www.concretenetwork.com/

Yeah the kitchen was bad. I don't know how anyone ever thought those stick on floor tiles looked good.

Thanks for the link. I've searched the web quite a bit but I don't know if I've seen that site yet

[T_Raven]

Here's a rough idea of what I'm thinking. I want to widen the entry way so I can back my trailer in more easily. I already park my Civic on the grass to the left of the garage so I want to pave that area. I can easily park 2 cars there without blocking the garage. I want to go all the way to the edge of the shop on the right side so there's not only room to drive in and out of the shop but also to park on the right side of the door.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/drivewaylayoutCopy-1.png

[LeighP]

Around here, coloured/pattern stenciled concrete is popular.....its not really much more expensive than regular concrete, wears well and is oil resistant when sealed.....has to be resealed every few years though to keep looking good.

Heres my place, previous owner didn't seal the concrete and its around 7 years old now....I've cleaned it, but I need to seal it properly.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

If you go this way, make sure whoever lays the concrete leaves a brush finish to the surface...if they trowel finish it, then its sealed, the surface can be dangerously slippery when wet.

[T_Raven]

Never seen that before. Looks pretty cool. A pattern like that is what I had in mind for stamping the border.

[Johnny Blaze]

man that driveway looks killer!


Around here, coloured/pattern stenciled concrete is popular.....its not really much more expensive than regular concrete, wears well and is oil resistant when sealed.....has to be resealed every few years though to keep looking good.

Heres my place, previous owner didn't seal the concrete and its around 7 years old now....I've cleaned it, but I need to seal it properly.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

If you go this way, make sure whoever lays the concrete leaves a brush finish to the surface...if they trowel finish it, then its sealed, the surface can be dangerously slippery when wet.

[reedld]

You have a Firebird addiction my friend! Nice collection!

What about pavement? I was on the fence when doing my driveway....I like pavement because lite snow and ice melt with sunlight. Concrete wont settle, but needs to be sealed, and snow and ice won't melt as easily. Stamped is nice, but pricey. I did 6"x6" pavers in my back yard, lots of prep work but real nice. I'd hate to lay them for an area as large as your driveway.

[T_Raven]

You have a Firebird addiction my friend! Nice collection!

What about pavement? I was on the fence when doing my driveway....I like pavement because lite snow and ice melt with sunlight. Concrete wont settle, but needs to be sealed, and snow and ice won't melt as easily. Stamped is nice, but pricey. I did 6"x6" pavers in my back yard, lots of prep work but real nice. I'd hate to lay them for an area as large as your driveway.

I've been considering asphalt. A buddy of mine use to pave roads and said we could do it ourselves. I know if you have it professionally sealed, then it needs to be sealed every 3 years to get the most life out of it. But my dad's driveway is asphalt and he's lived there for 15 years and never resealed it. I don't know how old it was when we moved in but, it's held up pretty well.

There are a few reasons I think I might not want asphalt: it gets soft if it gets hot enough, things with small wheels, like jacks, don't roll as easy on it, it looks good when freshly sealed but quickly fades, a big black slab out front might be a bad thing in the summer, maybe not much worse than concrete though.

I've looked at pavers, but they are pretty expensive, I like that if a spot needed to be repaired they can be pulled up, and I could probably lay them myself much easier than trying to pour 3500 sq ft of concrete.

[dlove63]

I think pavers are way over priced . They look very nice but not worth the thousands of dollars it would cost to do that large of an area. I have seen them used like you mentioned as a border around a concrete pad and I think it looks just as nice. The stamping techniques used these days can also give you a great look and there are a ton of options,colors, and patterns so you can make it look however you want. Whatever you choose Im sure it will turn out real nice.

[Kenova]

It doesn't really matter how cold or hot it is, jacks and stands will still sink into the asphalt. I would stick with the concrete. Have it coloured or stained a darker colour to help with melting any snow or ice.
I'm not too good with US State abbreviations but I'm guessing you are in Idaho? If so then there are a couple of things you can do to ensure a long lasting concrete driveway. Make damn sure you have an excellent base, and it sure wouldn't hurt to put some drainage under it all. If you get any amount of water under the slab it can start heaving in spots and concrete isn't as flexible as you would like it to be. The heaving seems to be worse in the spring. Don't ask how I know :banghead:.
Street curbs heaving in the spring seems to have always been a problem around here. Now when they construct a new street they put drainage under the curbs.
You've done an outstanding job on the house. Ain't easy, is it? Looking forward to seeing the rest of your home "build".:). As for the garage/shop, well I'll probably cry myself to sleep tonight.

Ken

[T_Raven]

It doesn't really matter how cold or hot it is, jacks and stands will still sink into the asphalt. I would stick with the concrete. Have it coloured or stained a darker colour to help with melting any snow or ice.
I'm not too good with US State abbreviations but I'm guessing you are in Idaho? If so then there are a couple of things you can do to ensure a long lasting concrete driveway. Make damn sure you have an excellent base, and it sure wouldn't hurt to put some drainage under it all. If you get any amount of water under the slab it can start heaving in spots and concrete isn't as flexible as you would like it to be. The heaving seems to be worse in the spring. Don't ask how I know :banghead:.
Street curbs heaving in the spring seems to have always been a problem around here. Now when they construct a new street they put drainage under the curbs.
You've done an outstanding job on the house. Ain't easy, is it? Looking forward to seeing the rest of your home "build".:). As for the garage/shop, well I'll probably cry myself to sleep tonight.

Ken


Good point on the drainage.

The painting was a lot of work, but it's been a lot of fun. Next time I paint a house I'm spraying the ceiling and trim. Hopefully this summer I'll have pics of the kitchen and shop done. Then I can finally get down to business on the 67.

[carbuff]

Do you have any limitations on the 'impervious cover' on your lot? Where I live, we are limited to a total of 45% of the lot having a solid cover, which has been an issue a couple of times during my house-shopping... I can't really tell from your pictures exactly how large your lot is, but just make sure that's not going to be an issue in your area before you get too far into your planning...

[T_Raven]

Do you have any limitations on the 'impervious cover' on your lot? Where I live, we are limited to a total of 45% of the lot having a solid cover, which has been an issue a couple of times during my house-shopping... I can't really tell from your pictures exactly how large your lot is, but just make sure that's not going to be an issue in your area before you get too far into your planning...

Dang I've never heard of that. My lot is big, about .4 acres, but I'd like to leave the possibility open for either paving behind the shop or building on back there. I better find out if there's a limitation on that. If there is then maybe I'll have to make the driveway less wide than I was planning.


I have looked at Grass Pave 2 and Gravel Pave 2. I thought about putting the Gravel pave 2 on the shop side so there'd be no grass to mow in that big area and it wouldn't be just dirt. It holds the gravel in place pretty well compared to just a layer of gravel. The down side would be that I couldn't roll anything around that didn't have big rubber wheels.

I could put Grass Pave 2 on the house side of the driveway, then if I need to park cars there from time to time it won't destroy the grass.

[T_Raven]

Holy cow never mind the Gravel Pave 2. It's MORE than concrete. I figured rolls of plastic rings covered in gravel would be pretty cheap. Found this price comparison

Paving materials, per square foot installed:
Asphalt, 2 1⁄2 inches thick: $1.45
Brick, 1 1⁄2 inches thick: $11.00
Concrete, 6 inches thick: $5.85
Concrete pavers: $11.50
Crushed stone, 1 inch thick: $0.70
Grasspave2: $8.00
Gravelpave2: $8.00
Gravel, 6 inches thick: $0.85
Paving stones, 2 inches thick: $26.50

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/Green-Paving-Patio-Walkway-Driveway.aspx?page=3#ixzz2DNgUgHkl

[astroracer]

Do the shop and garage approaches in concrete and the rest in gravel with a crushed stone top... That would look nice and save you a bunch of coin.

[gak68]

Do the shop and garage approaches in concrete and the rest in gravel with a crushed stone top... That would look nice and save you a bunch of coin.


I second this. I have done driveways with crushed granite. I don't know if you have that material in your area, but it packs down so tight you basically make concrete. Since it is granite it has a nice look to it.

[T_Raven]

I second this. I have done driveways with crushed granite. I don't know if you have that material in your area, but it packs down so tight you basically make concrete. Since it is granite it has a nice look to it.

I'll have to check that out. I've thought about doing a few feet in front of the shop door in concrete and the rest of that area in asphalt. That way I could at least jack up one end of a vehicle there if I needed to.

If granite would be significantly cheaper than asphalt that might work alright and I could always dig it up and lay concrete later.

[Takid455]

Nice work.

The before shots of the kitchen look like the house from the brady bunch lol

or Napoleon Dynamite

[stage2ROUSH]

Stained concrete can look really great, and depending on color/ texture,can add to the total " curb appeal " of your house! on a side note, for the wall where the fire place was, have you thought about installing a gas fire pit of sorts im there? that is a perfect place for one.

[T_Raven]

My dad's in the propane business so I was originally going to put a gas insert in. I only have electric coils in the ceiling for heat, but I decided I want to install a furnace so I can have central air too.

I can always put one of these in the hole for ambiance lol

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/hangingflamefakelampfirelamp_tbuibp13147-1.jpg

[woody80z28]

Wow, I am envious of all that room! And at the same time glad my driveway project will be cheaper with only 720sqft. haha

I really want concrete, but have quite an incline...probably 3' on 30' length. Thinking pavers will be the way to go. They go on sale for about $3/sqft from time to time. Then you just need to buy the base and do the installation.

[Kenova]

I only have electric coils in the ceiling for heat, but I decided I want to install a furnace so I can have central air too.

Electric radiant ceiling heat!! I haven't heard anything about that "stuff" since the '70s.
Yes, you will want to make the elimination of that heat source your number one priority. You will find the forced air furnace (and A/C) much more comfortable.

Ken

[T_Raven]

Yeah it was a pretty stupid way to heat a house. Last winter my monthly electricity bill was $300 and it was $100/mo during the summer. So it was costing $200/mo just for heat. I'll have my dad get me a deal on a furnace and come help me install that and an AC unit. Saving money on heat will probably be offset by the AC in the summer but at least I'll be comfortable.

[SPDMETL]

$200 a month for heating a sizeable house isn't bad, in fact I'm amazed it's that low. Electricity is the least efficient heat. Nice place!

[T_Raven]

Might as well update this now that the driveway is done. I've made a lot of progress on the rest of the house too.

I cut down my trees out front. They didn't provide shade anywhere it was useful and I was tired of the sap and bird poo all over my cars.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/D972LQ8-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/HtcjMRs-1.jpg

I left it like this for a few months and just kept parking on the dirt. I get real sick of the mud in the winter though

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/L4wl7PC-1.jpg

I've worked over seas off and on since '05. I was offered another job in Feb so I came back to Afghanistan. First order of business was to replace the driveway.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/X0U6ZOp-1.jpg

I decided to just keep it simple and skip the stamped border. I also went all the way to the sidewalk rather than leaving any grass or bushes on the right side.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/Vh5a2nh-1.jpg

When I bought the house compared to now. Looks a lot better and I haven't touched the exterior of the house yet.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/5pwv7Yy-1.jpg

[T_Raven]

I finished the kitchen. I did the drywall, plumbing, wiring, and tile. I had the cabinets built and installed, and of course the granite company did the granite.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/AbmrUSY-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/icVYIpC-1.jpg

The guy that built the cabinets had a better idea for the island than I did. I love the way it all turned out

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/Fwc6TDo-1.jpg

Redid the laundry room. I need to put the cabinet doors back on.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/ZYj2ynb-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/RIX2c08-1.jpg?1

And the master bath

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/0MAzEdE-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/I4iMQj0-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/4qT6JqG-1.jpg?1

[T_Raven]

The most important part, I redid the shop in the spring of '13 when I got back from Afghanistan last time.

How it was when I bought the house

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/XkAEP4c-1.jpg

Drywall was all screwed up and I need to add wiring for the lift, air compressor, and welder outlets so I removed it all.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/nKr6z8x-1.jpg

New drywall hung, taped and mudded. That was a lot of work by myself.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/yVbAlZe-1.jpg

Walls painted and started moving stuff in. I replaced the rear roll up door with a barn door I built.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/Q1RAtii-1.jpg


I built a rolling work bench. I keep a lot of projects out back but in front of that door is the best place for a bench, so I just roll it out of the way if I need to move a car. It's 2x2" tubing with 3/16" plate on top, 8'x30", and I used some quality casters. I put expanded metal on the bottom after this pic. It cost me about $400 to build for anyone curious. Similar sized benches online are a lot more money, bolt together, and don't roll, so I'm pretty happy with this.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/2hHONYd-1.jpg

I built a rotisserie and a frame bench

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/6ROUfZP-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/EqBvGC8-1.jpg

Inside of the door finished. I have extra siding for the house I'll put on the outside so it matches and make it overlap the gap. I built shelves and put them up on a couple of the walls. I bought a bunch of totes in red and black from Walmart to keep things looking neater than a bunch of card board boxes.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/mcvty4N-1.jpg?1

How it sits right now with 3 of my drivers stored until I get back. I'm planning to build a room behind the garage, to the side of the shop. I'll move my tire machines, metal lathe, and misc parts that are taking up space into that room. This shop is a decent work space, especially for a residential zone, but I want separate storage to get things out of my way.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/wS2rQGb-1.jpg?1

All the rest stashed in the back while I'm gone. The 68 and 72 Firebirds and 67 GMC are drivers I usually keep out front. Making the 53 and 54 GMCs drivable are towards the top of my to do list when I get home, then I will finally get back to work on my 67 Firebird. I sold the suspension so it's sitting on a truck frame to roll around. I'm setting aside some money to buy the rest of what I need to finish it. After 17 years of owning it, I'm not letting anything else distract me once I get home and wrap up a few other small projects.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/08/93YFOT9-1.jpg?1

[Jetfixr320]

Nice place and cars.

[indyjps]

Good looking place, you are having the same problem I had.
I had 4 houses in 6 years living in them as I remodeled, made plenty on each, but the cars sat untouched.

Looks like you're staying put and not flipping the house, so get situated. Any plans for a paint booth, with that many projects it will come in handy, it can be a clean storage area when not in use.

[MonzaRacer]

So one possible recommendation is think about reinforcing one area and possibly think about installing an outside lift if you work on cars, think about a grated drain, and twin post or drive on lift. This way in decent weather or if you can clean and detail out in the sun. Had a buddy who did this and he loved it cause he got natural light to clean by.
And when he had to clean his truck after getting ran off the road it was great to power wash the mud off.
They make lifts you can keep outside.
Good Luck

[T_Raven]

Good looking place, you are having the same problem I had.
I had 4 houses in 6 years living in them as I remodeled, made plenty on each, but the cars sat untouched.

Looks like you're staying put and not flipping the house, so get situated. Any plans for a paint booth, with that many projects it will come in handy, it can be a clean storage area when not in use.

Yeah I got the house cheap so I was originally going to remodel the house as cheap as possible and sell it when I found somewhere better to live. My wife likes to bake so we splurged on the kitchen and now she doesn't want to move lol. Working on the house has been a lot of fun though, so I may flip others in the future. I actually really like the house. I like the layout and location, I just wish I had room for a bigger shop. I really want to buy some land, build a 60x125' shop, make a 2 story 25x60 living area on one end. That'd give me 3,000 sq ft of living space, and 6,000 of shop space. I do some auto repair for profit at home but I can't have an automotive business in a residential zone. If I build just out of town I think I can run a real business out there and start making some real money. I need to look into that more, but those are the reasons I would want to move. I'll make do with my little shop for now, at least I have a lot of parking space out front and room to stash projects in the back.

[Motown 454]

You have a beautiful place and you did a great job on it. You have some nice future project there too.