Your driveway is one of the first things people see when arriving at your home. Approximately 63% of homes have a driveway of some kind, with this number increasing as on-street parking becomes scarcer.
Gravel driveways are often chosen because of their simplicity and relatively low-cost installation. Yet there’s more to a gravel driveway than meets the eye. Here are some tips and tricks for achieving a high-quality gravel drive.
1. Invest in Proper Installation
Inexperienced homeowners believe gravel is cheap and easy to install as a driveway. But unfortunately, many affordable gravel drives weren’t installed properly.
The first step in the proper installation of a gravel driveway is sourcing the gravel itself. While it might sound silly, there are different types of gravel and different way to source it.
The most efficient way to source the amount of gravel needed for a driveway installation will most likely be a local aggregate hauling service. So, if you are installing a new driveway at your residence in Waco, Texas, your best bet is to source bulk gravel in Waco. Sourcing gravel from anywhere that isn’t local will likely cost you more in delivery fees.
Flimsy edging and an uncompacted base can lead to maintenance problems within a few years. There’s also the issue of a lack of leveling.
Proper leveling means using a pull-behind driveway grader towed by a professional who understands the complexities involved. Proper gravel driveways must be excavated down at least 12 inches, must come with a compacted subgrade, have woven geotextile fabric underneath, followed by an eight-inch base material, compacted three-inch lifts, and edging.
All these aspects come before the installation of the pea gravel itself. Properly installed gravel will cost more than a concrete or asphalt drive.
2. Make Your Drive Pop with Belgian Block Edging
Edging material can make or break the aesthetic of your drive. Belgian block is especially effective because it can serve as a decorative border and also contains gravel.
These jumbo blocks create a beautiful aesthetic with sharp, straight lines running up to your garage/carport.
Poor-quality edging can quickly lead to drainage problems and expose the edges of your drive to chipping and cracking over time.
3. Carry Out Annual Maintenance
No material will allow you to avoid the issue of maintenance. Even concrete drives need cleaning and sealing every so often. Gravel driveways have a unique set of maintenance requirements to keep them functioning.
Annual re-grading will help to keep your driveway looking great for years. However, you also need to be aware of the problem of sinking. If you’ve used woven geotextile fabric or a compacted base material (which you should), you need to combat the sinking problem.
Sinking will cause your gravel to be moved out of place by runoff and rainwater, so annual maintenance conducted by a professional is essential.
4. Use Gravel to Collect Water
Green issues like saving water are becoming more of a priority for homeowners. Your driveway contains massive square footage, making it perfect for collecting water you can use in your yard.
Gravel isn’t a permeable material, so you will need to design a drive allowing water to move through an underground reservoir to be collected.
The depth of each layer will vary based on your water collection needs. It underlines the importance of having a professional work through your plans so you can get the perfect driveway.
5. Opt for a Shallow Pea Gravel Surface Layer
The most common complaint homeowners have about gravel drives is the look of tire ruts on the gravel. These can look unkempt, and so many homeowners opt for asphalt or concrete instead.
Regular rutting is a sign that the gravel layer is too deep. A deep layer will cause the gravel to move whenever a car drives over it. Choose a pea gravel layer of fewer than three inches to prevent shifting and reduce how often you need to regrade the drive.
Many installers will use gridwork underneath the surface layer to lower the amount of rutting in your drive. However, be aware that gridwork can increase how much maintenance you need to perform to prevent the gridwork from becoming visible.
6. Embrace the Natural Look
Gravel is not a standardized material for driveways. Every region in the country will have its own color gravel based on the local stone.
For example, North Carolina gravel tends to be lighter than in other regions. As a result, some areas may have darker browns and others pink.
Choose gravel derived from local stone instead of the color you like the most to improve your home’s curb appeal.
7. Style Your Gravel with Your Home
The design of your driveway can make or break the overall look of your home. If you’re struggling with the right design, use your existing home’s design to indicate which direction you should move in.
Gravel has always fitted in well with colonial-style buildings and large estates. On the other hand, modern homes are often designed with concrete or asphalt in mind.
A gravel drive is a traditional look for the old-fashioned home. But, unfortunately, gravel will rarely work well with a modern, contemporary landscape.
8. Beware of the Climate
The climate should always be considered when making any home change. For example, does your neighborhood receive regular snowfall during the winter months?
If so, you need to factor extreme weather conditions into whether you opt for gravel at all. In addition, plowing a gravel drive is not as straightforward as with other materials. There are special considerations to account for, and plowing will usually require an experienced professional to avoid destroying your drive.
Overall, gravel is a strong, sturdy material that can stand up against extreme heat and cold. In addition, unlike cracking asphalt drives, there will be far less maintenance involved in this respect.
9. Is it Time to Excavate?
Gravel drives will inevitably need to be completely replaced and redone at some point. Knowing the warning signs of a gravel drive that has come to the end of its lifespan is crucial to avoid any unnecessary repair attempts.
Extreme rutting, weeds, and unstable subgrade are the three key signs that its time for your driveway to be replaced.
You may also want to consider asking for a professional consultation before investing in a completely new driveway.
Conclusion
Choosing a gravel driveway means embracing a stylish look from bygone days. Like any driveway material, there are pros and cons to using gravel. Be aware of your maintenance obligations and the costs that come with them to decide whether gravel is the right type and style of drive for you.
What’s your ideal driveway material?
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