In rural areas, gravel is the material for driveways and roadways.
It is not uncommon for many homes to have gravel driveways leading toconcrete garage floors.
Learn more below aboutgravel drivewaypros and cons.
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What Is Gravel?
Gravel is crushed rock or stone.
It is primarily made from erosion or crushing of sedimentary rock.
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It comes in varying sizes, like pea-sized or pebbles.
It is more extensive and coarser than sand, going up in size to 3 inches.
This mixture has a significant advantage over plain rocks in compacting much better to create a stable surface.
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These are the common types and average prices:
Who Is a Gravel Driveway Best For?
It helps to have a buffer zone around the gravel driveway to capture those inevitable stray pieces of gravel.
If your property is prone to movement or has large tree roots, gravel driveways are flexible and accommodating.
Owners of large properties often prefer gravel driveways over concrete or evenasphaltbecause it is cost-effective.
Keeping a gravel driveway in shape in the winter can have its challenges.
Tip
Check with your local building department before laying down a gravel driveway.
Maintaining a Gravel Driveway
Gravel driveways require regular maintenance, much more than concrete or asphalt driveways.
Regular maintenance helps ensure the optimal performance of a gravel driveway and helps prevent costly replacement.
Factors to consider:
How Long Will a Gravel Driveway Last?
A gravel driveway can last up to 100 years with proper care and maintenance.
The beauty of gravel is that it can be repaired and replenished continuously.
How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost?
One major factor in the discrepancy is how far the gravel has to be trucked.
Another factor is the thickness of the driveway.
You’ll need tocalculate how much stoneshould be delivered.
you could also build a gravel driveway using a tough plastic grid system.
A gravel driveway grid is designed to hold the gravel in place and drain rainwater.
Typically there is filter fabric and base rock under the grid.
These types of grids are also used to build grass driveways.
Gravel Driveway Ideas and Tips
A gravel driveway can look elegant and neatly styled.
Here are a few design ideas and tips:
How much does a gravel driveway cost?Angi.