Driveway

Litchielou

We are looking to have our front and side driveway replaced, at the moment it's flagstones different sizes and shapes weeds coming through and in some places have lifted don't know how long it's been down, we've in the home for 12 years, well now we have the money to replace but what with.
We have been looking at a gravel grid drive has anyone got one or know if they are any good.
We think it will be good for drainage.

Thanks for your help x

Furts

Beware of the weeds coming through, plus the car steering and wheels putting the gravel where you do not want it.

I do not know, but have heard of local authorities not allowing gravel within a distance of the their boundary. This sounds sensible because the gravel can be spread over their land, creating a mess.

Cotswold coloured/type limestone can look nice when it is laid. Give it a few years and it can look awful. Algae on the stone, discoloured, and frost attacked so be careful on what you choose.

Litchielou

Gravel grid are just that grids with gravel fixed in so they don't move. With a good base hopefully no weeds.

PhilE

Your right to think about drainage.

If your on an inclination with the road higher than your house, get a drainage channel installed in front of your house regardless of the material used.

We've had 2 gravel drives in the past with no problems.

the_shreksta

i have been doing some research into this as i will be ripping up my front garden to replace with a nice gravel.

so far it seems that its best to use an angular gravel as it seems to lock together better rather than a round type pebble/gravel. i will be using derbyshire white which is a 20mm white/grey limestone, best price ive found is £44 per 850kg bulk bag from b&q.

the area im doing is 7.5 meters long by 6 meters wide,i will be using a crushed concrete sub-base compacted down then a layer of the correct membrane (driveway stuff is stronger than the type just used for paths) then we will be using a type of gravel grid,nida gravel seems the best so far then the derby white chippings,will also be putting a block pave border all around using charcoal pavers.

as above dont use cotswold chippings as in a few years it will look awful,its too soft and will end up like mush.

http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-20-mm-limestone/35695_BQ.prd

https://www.nidagraveluk.co.uk/gravel-driveways/

http://www.stonewarehouse.co.uk/rock-salt-membrane-misc/garden-membrane/groundtex-polypropylene-weed-membrane

hope this helps

Litchielou

That's correct to use angular gravel in the grids. To us it seems the most cost effective and also good for drainage and security (hearing someone walk over in the night). We are doing quite a bit more than you the shreksta our drive is 15m x 7m and another 3m in front of the house.

tt07

Am thinking of gravel grids next year if either of you do them can you report back

I'd seen the other style of gravel grids, but the nidagravel product looks excellent and much quicker to install, thanks for sharing that link booked marked for future reference