So last week I take the entire week off to dig out the end of my bluestone driveway (compacted by 30 years of cars) and lay antique (as in really old and really irregular) cobble stones on end and on a twisting slope.

Cut out the ratty asphalt road and put in my own 10' X 16" patch using 600 pounds of Perma-Patch which worked really well. I had to set the stones back a foot so my neighbor wouldn't catch them when he plows in the winter. The transition from road to driveway now is so smooth :smokin:

My wife hates it and has told all her friends it looks terrible. She somehow thinks asphalt was the wrong product to use to transition from cobblestone to an asphalt road.

This could be the end of things...I just can't take this any more.

-spence

Just a thought, level out the tops of the cobble stone with stone dust giving it a smoother appearance. It will all blend in together better.

The new asphalt will turn grey in a short time and not look as stark.

There's a ton of dust already there. These are just old stones and very few of them are flat. That heavy rain did soak everything in really well...but I need to fill in the few voids that remain. There's a 3" base under the stones.

-spence

tear it out your done she'll never be happy. When you tear it out dig it down and tell her your going to bury her in there for better compaction when you fill it up again :hee:

Would that leave a bit void? :devil2:

-spence

The cobblestone asphalt looks like the city streets that are torn up revealing the cobble..
This could be better blended by adding trolley rails. :hf1:

Would that leave a bit void? :devil2:

-spence

Eventually, yes..........but you'll be outta there by then, I presume:fishslap:



JK Mrs Spence!

This could be better blended by adding trolley rails. :hf1:
That's exactly the idea to be honest...make it look very old :read:

-spence

cool.

Just throwing ideas around, how about adding more cobble stone so that the transition between the asphalt and stone is uneven, giving the appearance that there is more cobblestone under asphalt.

cool.

Just throwing ideas around, how about adding more cobble stone so that the transition between the asphalt and stone is uneven, giving the appearance that there is more cobblestone under asphalt.
What are you taking her side? :bsod: :scream2: :rocketem:

-spence

What are you taking her side? :bsod: :scream2: :rocketem:

-spence

No not me. If your intent is to make it appear old then your project is on target and it looks good. It can be made to appear older by breaking up that uniform transition line between stone asphalt like you would see on the street.
Don't you have a PVC pipe to weld ?:hf1:

I think your a very gifted mason and or stone worker...

really i do.... but the changes in texture make it look

like hodge podge.... or not really well thought out scabbed on work..


I would call an asphalt company and tar the whole stinkiin driveway

otherwize you'll never hear the END of it.... E V E R !

Now, i know that's totally NOT what you were trying to accomplish Spence......
but ...specifically ....you pissed off the boss lady...
so ask her opinion first... like? would you prefer we tarred over the whole driveway then? let it be her decision... and you won't regret it later...

The whole driveway would cost a fortune...not an option...

Why do I even bother :crying:

-spence

maybe you could have a pink sweater yard sale....:tooth:


i figured that.... or you wouldn't be bustin yer balls..

My goal was to minimize the visual impact between the cobblestones and road. I had to set the stones back, no option there...I had to cut a line so I could dig out the bed and get a nice thick layer of asphalt, otherwise it would break up. I'm assuming it will lighten over time which it already has a bit.

The road is a freaking mess. I believe it's a real street but the city does not plow it or maintain it. My neighbor has been applying cold patch for the last 25 years, and it's really falling apart.

If anyone has a better idea I'd like to hear it, even though I ain't changing chit :gu:

Seriously, what would it cost to resurface a ratty old road on a 6%+ grade? It's 20 yards from our house to the top of the hill and about 60 yards to do the whole road to my neighbor's house.

-spence

It's a great look .
If it was me I would run the length of the driveway with a cobble stone boarder.

This is a look that you see at alot of the old estates.

I think it looks great Spence! What would your wife like to do??? Women!! Don't know their cobblestones from their ass-phault!;)

It's a great look .
If it was me I would run the length of the driveway with a cobble stone boarder.

This is a look that you see at alot of the old estates.

Yup, it looks great when you run a border and then fill with pea gravel or 1/4 in bluestone.

The reason for the cobblestone apron is to contain the loose stone from the street.

my drive way is starting to break up....

and having given it much thought....

i have decided to use the broken pieces as filler material for
inside some stone walls i'll be building and replace it with
round stone gravel ....so i can hear people pull in...

edging the driveway with cobble stone is a great idea...;)

Looks mint dude. I see many driveways like yours but a lot of people choose riverbed gravel it's tan in color and the gravel is round textured...they carry it at J&J materials in Seekonk. Line it with 4x7x10 cobbles and your golden. Good job

Set up a chair next to it.Fill the cooler with ice and cold beverage of choice and sit there and enjoy it.The feeling of accomplishment for a job well done.One thing I found in this journey is you can't make everyone happy all the time or even some of the time (Some are never happy).I think it looks good man .I'd pull up a chair next to you and crack a beer and admire it!She'll get over it!!

Your driveway looks fine - it is the road that looks like a mess. The cobblestone edging would look pretty good all the way up each side of the driveway and along the new cobblestone section. Some additional stone dust may help smooth the transition as well.

Is it a private road, or does the town consider it a private road? My town just had some residents of a private road petition the town to make it a public way - as that was how it was years ago - I believe it passed and now the town has to take care of it. Is there a homeowners association that collects money for plowing and road maintenance? Maybe there should be - before the road needs major repairs and not everyone is in agreement.

Dude, LOOKS GREAT!!!!!!!

I like it

looks great spence....nice job

tear it out your done she'll never be happy. When you tear it out dig it down and tell her your going to bury her in there for better compaction when you fill it up again :hee:

That's organic fill, that's a no-no.

edging it with cobble all the way back on both sides will solve everything IMO.

Why do I even bother :crying:

-spence

That's why I don't anymore..:fishslap:

Looks good to me Spence:kewl:

I have seen dozens of properties on the cape dig up have their driveway to put in this affect with the stones. The problem here isn't your driveway or your stonework...

Is that the street that is all ripped up? If so, when was the last time it was paved? If that road was paved your job would look much nicer. But you did a great job!!!

Spence looks really nice.

Once the new bridge goes in, your road will probably get done

I found a good way to get approval from the wife is to have her out there bustin ass along side you. Even if only for an hour or so. It will make her see things in a different light

Looks well thought out and well executed.

Looks good.
The border idea would be a good addition.
One concern would be if and when the road will be repaired/repaved, will the grade be the same as your driveway is currently? If not, you may need to make some adjustments to the end of the driveway.
Otherwise, I'd say "Kudos, on a job well done!":claps:

I think it looks just fine.

Caution it will get very slippery when it gets cold. I forsee a keesta plant there if your not careful.

If the town doesn't maintain or plow the road apply for a real estate tax abatement based on the assertion that you receive much less in services than other homeowners.

Still haven't fish huh?

If the town doesn't maintain or plow the road apply for a real estate tax abatement based on the assertion that you receive much less in services than other homeowners.
That's a great idea :kewl:

No, no fishing...my wife has been away for two weeks due to a gravely ill family member leaving me with our son, I've been traveling a lot on business and my vacation was all labor...too tired to fish.

-spence

I think that your wife is correct. Take another week off--DIG IT ALL UP AND START AGAIN!!! I,d offer to help but i'll be fishing. Just joking with you. You have my sympathy, but the wife is ALWAYS right, and don't forget it.:cheers:

This is exactly why I hire somebody. Let her yell at them not me.

Get some more stone dust and dust the pavement and roll it again. This will lighten the color of the pavement andcause an easier transition. You might have to do it acouple of times and use a real heavy roller. Nice job and good luck

can i have your plugs before you shoot yourself?

This is exactly why I hire somebody. Let her yell at them not me.

smart for an old guy :rotf3:

I love the look of cobblestone. You can come cobblestone my driveway and I promise I wont complain.


I think your wive needs to tell you just exactly it is your supposed to use instead of asphalt? Cobblestone needs to meet asphalt at some point.....deal with it

Is he gone yet I been watchin the obits :usd: