The simple answer to what is concrete apron is, it is the first 2-8 feet of concrete across your driveway and the garage surface.
A concert apron can be erected in front of the garage entrance and can extend all the perimeter around the building. It is frequently used to produce a seamless transition between concrete grades or concrete and asphalt. The driveway is not usually parallel to the garage floor.
Concrete garage aprons are installed in a diagonal pattern from the driveway to the garage floor.
Because the apron is part of the driveway, its width (side to side) is the same as the width of the rest of the driveway, and you can’t tell where the apron begins, and the driveway ends most of the time.
Why Do You Need a Concrete Apron?
Concrete aprons are frequently identified in front of garage doors and when one-grade slab transitions to another. A concrete apron is vital because it bridges the gap between the driveway level and the garage floor. This keeps pedestrians and vehicles safer on walks and driveways.
Furthermore, this feature might help to drain water away from your home’s foundation.
Is a Concrete Apron a Mandatory Requirement?
The concrete garage apron serves as a barrier between the two levels. The garage floor is not usually level with the driveway.
Using a concrete apron prevents your car’s bumpers from scratching as you pull in or out of the garage.
Further, You may see holes near the garage floor if you have an older asphalt driveway. This could cause tire damage, which can be avoided by using a concrete apron.
How Do You Make a Concrete Apron? In 19 simple steps
• Check all local building codes for the proper apron size.
• Cut the Garage Floor
• Use a hand tamper to compact the earth at the excavation’s base.
• Examine the depth
• Make the ground level.
• Use a grinder to smooth off the edges.
• Use rebar to secure the apron to the garage slab.
• Lay 2 by 8-inch boards around the perimeter of the dig, standing up on one side of the board, to make a mold that will hold wet concrete in place.
• Fill the foundation with 2 to 3 inches of crushed stone.
• Sweep a long board over the stone to level it out.
• Attach the foam expansion joint.
• Compact and reinforce using rebar
• Shield nearby surfaces
• Contact a concrete supplier to schedule a concrete pour. Use concrete that is of adequate strength.
• Consider pouring the apron in portions if you’re pouring concrete. Concrete pouring is a physically demanding task, and smaller sections are easier to pour.
• Pour a 4-inch or thicker layer of concrete over the wire mesh.
• On a hot, dry day, concrete can cure in 15 minutes, and strong helpers are necessary to spread and smooth the semi-solid concrete mix before it hardens.
• Using a shovel, move concrete up to the edges of the forms and expansion joints.
• Allow it to cure
What is the Thickness of a Concrete Apron?
A concrete apron must be at least 4 inches (101mm) thick. Increasing the thickness by just one inch from 4 inches to 5 inches will add roughly 15-20% to the cost of your concrete but will increase the load-carrying capability of your driveway by over 40%.
This minimal need will differ depending on the type of building, such as a residential residence vs. a commercial housing plan. Due to this, it is usually prudent to double-check the minimal need before beginning the concrete apron.
Is Thicker Concrete More Likely to Crack?
No, it doesn’t. Thickening the slab provides more resistance to bending due to load factors, resulting in less cracking. Adding more cement increases the pounds per square inch (PSI) factor. This will assist your concrete in resisting bending and bearing higher weights or loads.
