Michelle Buckman has been Washington DC area resident for over 25 years and is licensed as both a Maryland Realtor and Washington DC Realtor. If you're looking to sell or purchase a home we recommend you give her a call, she's very familiar with Maryland suburban communities including Chevy Chase MD, Silver Spring, MD, Takoma Park, Maryland and Northwest Washington, DC.
The driveway is often a last thought when planning the exterior of a home in Northern Virginia and Washington DC, until you have to construct, repair or replace your driveway. Knowing some basic information about driveway construction can help you get started with a contractor and create a quality driveway design.
The recommended length and width for a driveway is based on a couple of factors. Typically, a driveway is 10 to 12 feet wide to allow ample room for navigation. Homeowners who painstakingly tend to their landscaping will want the extra width to prevent accidental vehicle traffic on the lawn, as well as foot traffic in flower beds and decorative touches.
When constructing a retaining wall alongside the driveway, always allow an extra two feet of driveway width. This will protect vehicles from damage upon opening and closing doors. There's no need to sacrifice your car doors for the retaining wall, just give your driveway a bit more room.
Arlington, VA homeowners who intend to park more than one vehicle in their driveway should nearly double the width of the driveway. Extending the width of the driveway to 18 to 20 feet long will allow for room to walk around and between vehicles, garage doors, retaining walls and the toys the kids left out.
The length of a driveway is much less standardized, since the distance between the roadway and the home varies tremendously. Typically you should plan for at least 18 to 20 feet of length for every car using the driveway regularly. This affords the same convenience of walking between and around vehicles, while also protecting passengers from traffic while entering and exiting the vehicle. However, again, this decision is based almost entirely on the homeowner's preference.
For more tips on designing a driveway in Northern Virginia, contact the professionals at Green Acres Landscaping & Masonry. Serving all of Northern Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland, our team of professionals can provide you the best products, quality and service possible at reasonable prices.
Green Acres Landscaping is a full service landscape design company, serving both residential and commercial clients in the Northern Virginia area since 1992. Our experienced team is ready to help you with any landscaping project, large or small.