DIY Network

Decorative Touches and Hardscapes: Introduction From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-122

Brad and Lynn Oberg want to build a house with the look and feel of Italy (Old World Tuscany to be exact), and they're willing to invest much of their own "sweat equity" (in the true do-it-yourself style) to make it happen. This week the decorative touches and hardscapes are added to this technically unique and beautiful home!

In DIY's new Home IQ series, you'll follow the Oberg family during the decision-making process of building this beautiful new home.

In this week's episode of Home IQ, the Oberg home exterior is enhanced with decorative elements and hardscapes, and our homeowner (Brad Oberg, seen here) is even willing to brave the elements and do the work himself to make sure the driveway has the look he and his family want!

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The brick, stone and siding were carefully chosen to fit the Tuscan theme of the interior of the home, but now our homeowners are faced with the task of making the front walk, driveway and columns match (figure A). Because the Oberg lot has a steep slope to the back and the sidewalk at the street (figure B) is higher than the level of the house, water drainage is an issue.

Figure A

Figure B

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

What's the Solution?

"We're going to do one of the driveways with brick pavers on a big base" (figure C), Brad says. "I think it'll be a lot better because it'll let water down through it, so we won't get a sheet of water running toward the garage."

When concrete was being discussed and considered, a drain was mentioned, and Brad didn't like this idea because it meant "something more to maintain." So instead of sloping the driveway straight down, they'll take it down a little sooner and have it flat at the bottom so the water can drop off. This also allowed the sidewalk over from the driveway to be dropped a bit so the corner drains straight out.

Greg Allen, the site supervisor, has to meet several times with the excavation team to determine how the sidewalk and driveway have to slope in order to achieve the proper water drainage. Then the property is leveled and contoured, a process known as "grading," which is done with the machines seen here (figure D). The excavators can be extremely precise utilizing these machines and can get the grade within an 1/2" of where it needs to be.

The mason is also called in to mark the height and location of the sidewalk by the street. He puts in pins (figure E) that mark the level of the sidewalk. If Brad runs his paver stones up to the level of these pins, his driveway will be even with the sidewalk.
Building the Base for the Driveway

Every driveway needs a solid base so it doesn't sink or crack, and since Brad -- against the advice of Allen, who suggested a concrete driveway -- is going to do the driveway himself, the site supervisor and the excavation team need to figure out the best way to give him the needed space.

Instead of his "suggested" concrete, Allen starts with a base of large gravel (figure F), and as it's being spread out, a couple of the excavation team spray paint to the guideline (figure G) to indicate the radius of Brad's sidewalk -- following the design that Brad created himself, and one that is completely different from any in the neighborhood.

Next a base of limestone sand is spread in the area that is marked for the walkway. When compacted this sand will lock firm and hard, and since the walkway will hold foot traffic only, it doesn't need a stone base like the driveway (figure H -- finished walkway on right running through the driveway).

A layer of small gravel is placed on top of the "base" (larger) gravel in order to level it out and add strength. At this point the builder's work on the driveway is complete because is doing the rest.

Note: The excavator put in approximately 8" of big stone gravel, followed by 3" of smaller stone gravel called #1's, which means they are 1" and smaller with dust in them so they lock extremely well. Then to top it off, 15 tons of limestone "locking" sand was added. The limestone is actually crushed from stone, and it turns "almost" like concrete.

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

In the next segment Brad begins the installation process.

RESOURCES :

Trex® Decking
Trex Company, Inc.
Website: www.trex.com

Interlocking Paving Stones & Versa-Lok® Retaining Wall Systems
R.I. Lampus Co.
Website: www.lampus.com

Cement Work
Nawrocki Concrete
205 South Tower Rd.
Fombell, PA 16123
Phone: 412-860-7072
E-mail: camp528@aol.com

Masonry Work
Klobuchar Masonry
Phone: 724-443-7122

Land Surveying
Sperdute Land Surveyors
108 Deer Lane
Harmony, PA 16037
Phone: 724-452-4362
Fax: 724-452-9357
E-mail: pasurvey@zbzoom.net

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net
Website: hendolhursthomes.com

Jim Sperdute
Surveyor / Project Manager
Sperdute Land Surveyors
108 Deer Lane
Harmony, PA 16037
Phone: 724-452-4362
Fax: 724-452-9357
E-mail: pasurvey@zbzoomnet

John Lehnhardt
Sales Representative
R.I. Lampus Company
816 R.I. Lampus Ave.
PO Box 167
Springdale, PA 15144
Phone: 412-362-3800
Fax: 724-274-4033
E-mail: rilampus@lampus.com
Website: www.lampus.com

Scott Stout
Sales Representative
Trex Company
Toll-Free: 800-BUY-TREX (800-289-8739)
E-mail: SStout@trex.com
Website: www.trex.com