![]() ![]() This soil is filled with organic matter that’s great for growing veggies and other plants, but too sponge-like and unstable for the purpose of a driveway. Before you lay the gravel, remove the topsoil and transfer it to your garden. ![]() What do I need to consider when laying gravel?Īs with other types of paving materials (such as concrete, asphalt and resin-bound), preparation is key to building a driveway that will last the distance. Edging along the driveway will also help contain ‘flying’ pebbles. The best pebbles to use in conjunction with these mats are vehicle-grade 8 to 14mm pebbles as they’re capable of easily carrying loads of 100 tonnes plus. This will not only stabilise pebbles but also keep weeds at bay. Gravel driveways are prone to stones scattering – you can prevent this from happening by welding natural, permeable, geotextile honeycomb mats to the base. These rocks can include limestone, granite, concrete and shale, and they’re available in colours ranging from black and grey to rusty tones, which gives you good flexibility in creating a surface that naturally matches your landscaping and the design and colour of your home. The top layer will be made up of marble-sized, dense-grade gravel, which contains dust and smaller pieces of rock that form a cement-like bond when compacted. Again, this layer reinforces the base and also helps with the drainage. The foundation should be topped with another layer of the same depth, of golf-ball-sized rocks (#57). The equal depth depends on how heavy duty your driveway needs to be for details on calculating the depth. To form a strong base and also ensure optimum drainage, the first layer should comprise tennis-ball-sized rocks (also referred to as #3). Installing a driveway requires using three types of gravel. The only downside with gravel is that it does require ongoing maintenance. ![]() Durable and easy on the eye, gravel driveways are also easy to install and there’s no need to seal them, making them a great option for DIY builders. Gravel – made up of a mass of small water-eroded or pounded stones – is unquestionably the most affordable paving option on the market. What are the pros and cons of using gravel for my driveway? In New Zealand, a rough estimate is around $160 per square metre upwards (South Island stones are prettier and therefore likely to cost more).Īs the size of the stones also determines the volume of the gravel, choose the gravel first before digging the depth of your driveway, and then calculate how much material you need. The cost of gravel depends on the size of the stones (between 2 and 64 mm) and the type of gravel that you use. ![]() Excludes installation.* What does it cost to install a gravel driveway? Cost of natural pavingįrom $95 per 1.14 x 2.15m vehicle grade sheet. There are options for grassed driveways as well, and paths and patios can look amazing with a natural finish that is practical and esthetical outstanding. Prepared with a permeable base, councils see Natural Paving as permeable and the high attenuation offered in the voids amongst the stones prevents stormwater runoff into drains and gutters. The specified size of stone of 8-14mm means they will not be picked up by car tyres or shoe tread, and the abundance of colour variation available locally, and from around the nation, offers contrast and character to any property. The gravel is still loose but becomes so stable you can walk on it with high heeled shoes. Honeycomb cells prevent the gravel from displacing and spreading which means there are no potholes, no puddles and no migration of stones to unwanted areas like lawns, gardens or in your house. Taking a trend from the European market, Natural Paving allows you to have the best of both worlds. But there are currently some great solutions on the market. Sometimes people shy away from using gravel because they think it will be high maintenance with lots of weeds, or they will be forever filling potholes where stones have moved or there will be stones throughout their lawn. A gravel driveway can offer a great bridge to a natural feel in your living space that is often lost with the use of hard surface structures such as concrete and coble stone. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |