Gravel driveways are becoming extremely popular in the UK and are a great alternative to slabs or block paves. Gravel driveways allow you to get creative and can create a wonderful feature at the front of your home.
You may think that laying a new gravel driveway is a daunting tasks when actually if you have the correct equipment and tools in can be a fairly simple tasks. There is always the option of hiring an expert however this guide offers some handy tips on how to lay your driveway as well as making sure you have the correct materials.
Gravel driveways are ideal as they significantly reduce the risk of flooding unlike standard block paved or slab driveways. The water is able to filter through your gravel and into the ground therefore creating a clear surface that is safe to use all year round.
Choosing Your Gravel:
The first thing you will need to do when laying your gravel driveway is to measure the area and select your gravel and then calculate how much you will need.
We have selected our 4 top pick gravels to use on your driveway.
Cotswold Chippings:
Cotswold chippings are a wonderful cream/buff colour. They are extremely popular due to their angled shape and will blend seamlessly with your current landscape.
Golden Gravel:
Golden Gravel is a stunning gravel that combines, creams, golds and yellows. This gravel will offer a modern stylish look to your drive.
Moonstone Gravel:
Moonstone Gravel is a hardwearing gravel making it ideal for use on driveways. The gravel consists of a mixture of colours and can really help brighten up your landscape.
Flamingo Gravel:
Flamingo Gravel is another colourful gravel made up of pink white and grey. Flamingo Gravel can help revive any dull look drive and create a welcoming feel to your home.
Above is one of our customer photos using 20mm Moonstone Gravel to create a bright, colourful driveway.
As a general rule of thumb 1 bulk Bag of gravel will cover approximately 12m squared at a depth of around 40mm. Check out our gravel calculator which will easily calculate the amount of gravel you will require. When it comes to selecting your gravel we recommend that you use a 20mm sized gravel as this is easy to walk on, stand the weight of car tyres and will not scatter about. A 10mm gravel may get stuck in tyre treads and any aggregate larger than 20mm will be difficult to walk on.
Laying The Driveway:
1. Prepare the ground you are going to create your gravel driveway. This may require removing any turf or slabs.
2.If you have an uneven surface you will require a layer of crusher run this will allow you to raise the surface and offers a good base for your driveway.
3.
Pack the base of the driveway, you can do this by hiring a roll and ensuring the crusher run becomes compact.
4. Lay down a fabric weed control membrane across the entire surface. This will prevent weeds from rearing their heads and spoiling the look of your driveway. If you choose to you can edge the weed membrane with bricks however this is not necessary as the gravel will weigh the weed control membrane down. At Gravelmaster we supply weed control membrane in a range of sizes as well as pegs to secure the membrane in place.
5. Place your order for your chosen gravel. If you opt for the gravel to be delivered all in one place, make sure you place the pile in an area that will do minimal damage to your lawn.
6. Begin to spread the gravel across your driveway at a depth of around 40 – 50mm.
·When laying your gravel driveway opt for a gravel paving grid. Gravel paving grids provide a stable base for your gravel and reduce the risk of slipping. The gravel paving grids are simple and easy to use, simply lay the gravel grids down on your surface and join them together. You should then fill the grids with your chosen gravel. At Gravelmaster we supply Hexapath Gravel Paving Grids.
We hope this guide has offered you some help and advice on how to lay your own gravel driveway. At Gravelmaster we love customer photographs, if you would like to send us a photo of your gravel driveway please send all images to sales@gravelmaster.co.ul and we will share your photo on our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest page.
FAQs
Before laying your gravel driveway, you must first prepare the area. This may require removing debris, turf, or topsoil. You will then need to dig out the area to a depth of between 50mm to 200mm. It is important that a minimum of 50mm is left for the gravel, and 150mm for the sub-base if you plan on including one.
What is the best base for a gravel driveway? ›
#2 Limestone gravel is most commonly used as the base for gravel driveways. These small rocks are able to form a solid and dependable foundation while providing adequate drainage. Both of these factors are an essential part of constructing a gravel driveway.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway? ›
The total depth of a gravel driveway should be 12 to 18 inches thick. Each layer should be four to six inches thick—three layers are best for durability and longevity.
How do you prepare ground before laying gravel? ›
Surface Preparation for Gravel
For decorative purposes, clear the surface, flatten it, and use a weed-suppressing membrane to prevent weed growth. Lay your chosen gravel on top, adjusting it to achieve your desired look.
Can you put gravel straight into soil? ›
You can use a wacker plate or roller to compact the sub-base and ideally the base should slope away from your house or garage. This is to help with water runoff. You can put your gravel directly onto the firm soil, though this isn't recommended as it won't be a stable base for your gravel driveway.
Do I need to remove grass before laying gravel driveway? ›
If you lay plain gravel over the top of grass it's going to migrate and spread, even if you put a weed cover beneath the gravel to prevent weeds from popping up. The first step to adding gravel on top of grass is actually to remove the grass before you go any further.
What do you put down under gravel driveway? ›
For gravel driveways, the best choice is the woven landscape fabric. The non-woven fabric is good for filtration but not suitable for the passage of water. Woven fabric offers excellent stabilization due to its woven fiber construction.
What is best to put under gravel? ›
What should I lay under gravel? We'd always recommend laying a weed resistant membrane under your gravel. This helps to prevent weeds, whilst being permeable to water and air, and it's extremely easy to use. Best of all, the membrane provides long-term protection from weeds so you don't need to use unnatural chemicals.
How much does 1 ton of gravel cover? ›
As a general guide, one ton of gravel typically covers approximately: 100 square feet at a 2-inch depth. 80 square feet at a 3-inch depth. 60 square feet at a 4-inch depth.
Is 2 inches of gravel enough for a driveway? ›
Gravel should be a minimum of 4-inches deep. The smaller the gravel, the more even the coverage will be. If rocks are on the larger side, allow for an additional 1/2 inch.
Even if you do prepare the surface of the earth by removing grass and cleaning up the area a bit, chances are you'll be pouring your gravel right on the ground, so you don't need to worry about digging. How deep should gravel be for a driveway with a sub-base? The answer is anywhere from 12-18 inches.
What should I put down before gravel driveway? ›
Add Landscaping Fabric
Before you add stone, you'll need to first lay down a layer of landscaping fabric. This will help prevent the growth of plants and weeds from beneath the driveways surface, and will also help control erosion and shifting.
Should I put sand under gravel? ›
What Do You Put Under Pea Gravel? Landscaping fabric and sand or crushed rock (or both) are the most common. You can also use a honeycomb grid for extra stability.
Do I need to level ground before gravel? ›
Before you start laying the gravel, it's important to prepare the site properly. This involves removing any existing grass, weeds, or debris from the area. You may also need to level the area using a shovel or rake to create a solid base for the gravel.
Do I need fabric under gravel driveway? ›
Is it really necessary to put fabric under my gravel driveway? Yes, if you want your driveway to last. Having geotextile driveway fabric under your gravel driveway will prevent you from continually needing to add more aggregate base to your road since the rock will drop into the subgrade layer.
What to put under gravel? ›
What should I lay under gravel? We'd always recommend laying a weed resistant membrane under your gravel. This helps to prevent weeds, whilst being permeable to water and air, and it's extremely easy to use. Best of all, the membrane provides long-term protection from weeds so you don't need to use unnatural chemicals.
