Driveway Line Marking

It depends entirely on your driveway dimensions and layout. A typical single-width residential driveway (3m wide) accommodates one vehicle lengthwise. A double-width driveway (6m wide) accommodates two vehicles side-by-side if marked properly. Large properties with circular driveways or extensive paved areas might accommodate 4-6+ vehicles with proper bay marking. We assess your exact dimensions during quote stage. A common scenario: family has a 12m long by 6m wide driveway. That can accommodate 4 cars (two rows of two) if marked efficiently, versus the 2-3 cars they're currently parking randomly. The key is measuring accurately and designing bay layout that allows vehicles to access their assigned bays without others needing to move. We've marked residential properties fitting 6 vehicles where owners previously thought they had space for only 4.

White is most common because it contrasts well against grey concrete or black asphalt, matches standard parking conventions, and looks clean and professional. Yellow works well for highlighting visitor bays or special zones ("VISITOR" in yellow, resident bays in white creates instant differentiation). Some homeowners prefer subtle grey lines on grey concrete for less visual impact while still providing organization. A property in Toorak wanted high-end discrete marking. We used light grey lines on their charcoal concrete driveway. The bays are clearly visible when you need them but don't dominate the aesthetic like bright white would. We show colour options during quote stage and recommend based on your driveway colour and desired visibility level.

High-quality acrylic paint on residential driveways lasts 4-6 years typically. Residential traffic is much lighter than commercial car parks (maybe 4-8 vehicle movements daily versus 100+ in commercial settings), so markings wear slower. Driveways in full sun exposure fade slightly faster than shaded driveways. Frequent pressure washing or harsh cleaning chemicals can reduce lifespan. A driveway we marked in Brighton in 2018 still looks excellent five years later because it's under a carport (protected from UV) and sees moderate traffic from a two-vehicle household. Another driveway in Frankston marked the same year needed refreshing in 2022 because it's completely exposed to sun and serves a five-vehicle household with daily movements. We typically tell residential clients to expect 4-5 years minimum with potential for 6-7 years in ideal conditions.

Yes, though steep slopes require some design adjustments. Parking bays on moderate slopes (gradients up to 1:10) work fine with standard marking. Steeper driveways might need wheel chock positions marked or "TOE-IN PARKING ONLY" text indicating vehicles should park facing uphill. Very steep driveways (steeper than 1:6) create safety challenges and might not be suitable for perpendicular bay parking at all. We assess slope during site visit. A property in Ivanhoe had a steep driveway (roughly 1:8 gradient). We marked three bays running parallel to the slope (vehicles parked lengthwise along the slope, not across it) with wheel chock positions indicated. This prevented vehicles rolling and provided safe parking despite the challenging gradient. Sometimes creative layout solves problems standard approaches can't handle.

Absolutely, and it's highly recommended. Visitor bays should be obvious to guests while resident bays can be more subtle. Common approaches: "VISITOR" text painted inside the bay in large letters, yellow lines for visitor bays versus white for resident bays, positioning visitor bays closest to the front door or main entry (most intuitive location), adding directional arrows pointing toward visitor bays from the street entry. A family in Balwyn has a large circular driveway with eight parking spaces. We marked two visitor bays (closest to front door) in yellow with "VISITOR" text, and six resident bays in white with subtle numbering (Bay 1-6 for their household vehicles and adult children). The father told us it eliminated confusion during parties or family gatherings. Guests know exactly where to park without being directed.

Yes. Removing old markings prevents "ghosting" where old lines show through new markings creating confusion. Removal methods: water blasting at 3500 PSI (works well for acrylic paint that's not too old), mechanical grinding (for stubborn thermoplastic or old enamel paint), chemical stripping (rarely used on residential driveways due to mess and cost). A property in Camberwell had old faded bay markings that no longer matched their parking needs. Previous markings were 2.3m wide (too narrow for modern SUVs) and poorly positioned. We water blasted the old lines completely off, redesigned the layout with 2.6m bays, and remarked properly. The concrete looked like new and the family finally had functional parking for their larger vehicles. Removal typically adds $200-400 to project cost depending on how stubborn the old markings are.