What are Gravel Driveways

There is a big comparison between concrete and asphalt to gravel. One advantage of having gravel driveways is it brings a kind of elegance that cannot be felt in concrete and asphalt. Also, gravel are much easier to correct because it is more flexible compared to other driveway materials installed.

Gravel driveways are not that difficult to create. In plenty of ways, it is easier than concrete. Concrete is quite messy and achieving a great looking surface is very difficult. Asphalt on the other hand is as easy as gravel. However, asphalt is much costly and a bit messy too. Also, both concrete and asphalt is too difficult to maintain.

Asphalt and concrete are much prone to regular maintenance due to unavoidable cracks as a result from extreme frost. Gravel driveways on the other hand can withstand all types of weather.

Gravel driveways may not be as boring as everyone thinks. You can use different colors and can even create your own pattern in the driveway. Gravel driveway materials have the colors red, blue and grey.

In installing gravel driveways, it is very important to prepare a plan. The depth to where the gravel driveway should be has to be deep enough for it to withstand the weight of the cars that are going to pass through or park. The minimum depth to be dug is six inches from the surface. However, if you have achieved the minimum depth and found out that it is still a soft foundation additional depth to be dug is required. Before laying the gravel, it is necessary to lay down a base. A leftover quarry material such as scalping stone is great as a base for gravel driveways. Scalping stones needs to be compacted to a depth of seventy five millimeters in order for it to be stable and sturdy.

Before laying the gravel you must choose the sizes of gravel you are comfortable with. It is usually recommended to use gravel above the size of ten millimeters because small gravel tend to stuck in between the tires.

It is also a need for gravel driveways to have a crown. This is the center part of the driveway where it is much elevated compared to the side. The crown allows water to flow on the side of the gravel driveways. This avoids the formation of puddles in the driveways.

Although gravel driveways are cheap and affordable they still need some regular care and maintenance. For instance, you need to fill low spots with scraped gravel from the higher spots. If the driveway has a curve, you will notice that some of the gravels are push out off the edges. Gravels that have been push out need to be put back. These are some of the maintenance in having gravel driveways.

Gravel driveways are not expensive and less maintenance is needed. Also, among all materials for driveway, gravel is considered to last longer than both concrete and asphalt. In installing gravel driveways, the help of a professional is just an option. That is why, building gravel driveways cost less.