Converting front lawn to gravel driveway

guardianangel

Hi

I was hoping I've come to the right place. I currently have a front lawn and I am looking to convert this this is an extra driveway and although I've done some research I'm confused as to what I need (type of lining) or not need or what is essential to get right so it doesn't flood or have grass sprouting out later. The problem is the lawn is on a very small slope, minor slope but still a slope and slops towards the house. I've started digging the top layer of the grass up. After I have done this do I just layer a membrane type lining on it...is there a particular type lining I need for this as I'm worried that the gravel will start to move down towards the house as the car drives up and down it. Or the grass coming through or water rushing at the house when it rains.

Also I've read I need a thing to press it down - this is really necessary? Then I'm assuming once I have the lining I lay the gravel down....

I would appreciate any pointers or tips or even welcome any step by step guide and where to get decent items for good money.

I also forgot to say, this drive wouldn't be used at all (probably once a week) as I already have a long drive but I was converting it so I didn't have a large lawn to mown - the garden takes forever as it is.

Thank you!

Mojisola

https://www.pavingexpert.com/gravel01.htm is a good site for information.

keystone

Lay some of this stuff



and fill it with the gravel. Provides drainage, supports the weight of the vehicle and stops the gravel travelling downhill.

Cheers

macman

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/pavingfrontgarden/

tyllwyd

Our neighbours opposite have a gravel driveway and I'm not keen at all - bits of gravel get kicked up and end up all over the pavement & road so it always looks messy. If you have loose gravel on a membrane on a slope, I'd bet money that it will look scruffy after a couple of weeks. I'd spend a bit more and get a better job.

cyclonebri1

macman wrote: »

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/pavingfrontgarden/

I haven't read MM's link, but there is some move to avoid run off by limiting hard surfacing, I think that's probably contained therein.

You need to be aware of this.

Pretty sure provided it still allows free drainage as per the above examples, it will be allowed.

WestonDave

Gravel will travel! Any sort of loose material on a slope will work its way downwards, and help from car movements and rainwater will just speed up the process.

The grid stuff is good but obviously more expensive than just gravel, and you should really have some form of kerb at the entrance to stop gravel drifting out onto the pavement etc.

Its also worth bearing in mind that digging out a couple of inches and covering it with gravel will not give you a long term stable driveway. Even with gravel its better to dig it out to a decent depth (will depend on your soil type etc), put a heavy duty membrane down, cover it with scalpings, compact it and then lay gravel (preferably within a grid system if you have a slope). The gravel is really only a decorative top surface like block paving. If you try a thin layer of gravel, with or without a membrane you'll have a muddy mess in weeks (especially at this time of year).

Kiran

I'm not a massive fan of gravel driveways however as you did not ask my opinion on them so I will offer my advice on the construction instead, lol. :rotfl:

Dig out 150mm, compact the subsoil, once you've done this inspect the area for soft spots, lay a 100mm bed of sub base, also compacted, and then put down some terram. On top of that lay 50mm of decorative gravel or similar. Due to your slope issue I would be tempted to bed 50mm thick slabs in rows to allow your vehicle on and off of your drive without disturbing the gravel. You would still have the required run off to avoid the need for PP.

guardianangel

macman wrote: »

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/pavingfrontgarden/

Thanks for the advice, didn't even think about this but I should be ok as I'm using gravel on membrane that allows water to seep through underneath into the soil...

guardianangel

Kiran wrote: »

I'm not a massive fan of gravel driveways however as you did not ask my opinion on them so I will offer my advice on the construction instead, lol. :rotfl:

Dig out 150mm, compact the subsoil, once you've done this inspect the area for soft spots, lay a 100mm bed of sub base, also compacted, and then put down some terram. On top of that lay 50mm of decorative gravel or similar. Due to your slope issue I would be tempted to bed 50mm thick slabs in rows to allow your vehicle on and off of your drive without disturbing the gravel. You would still have the required run off to avoid the need for PP.

Silly question but how do you compact the subsoil?

guardianangel

tyllwyd wrote: »

Our neighbours opposite have a gravel driveway and I'm not keen at all - bits of gravel get kicked up and end up all over the pavement & road so it always looks messy. If you have loose gravel on a membrane on a slope, I'd bet money that it will look scruffy after a couple of weeks. I'd spend a bit more and get a better job.

I forgot to say in my original post, which I have amended. I wouldn't be using the drive as much, I was converting the lawn so I didn't have to mow it and thought gravel would be the best alternative to grass. I have a main drive so this won't be used as much.