Do you know what material is best fordriveway in your estate? This is not an empty question. After all, the first thing guests see is the driveway to the house. It is where the general opinion of the owner and the structure of his house begins to form. There are various materials for laying a driveway: asphalt, concrete, crushed stone, paving stones. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Today we will talk about a gravel driveway.
Basic information about gravel path:
- The cost of its installation is different and depends on what region you live in;
- with proper maintenance, its service life is unlimited;
- the shape of the gravel depends on the terrain, but angular is preferable to a round material;
- you need to constantly level the surface and prevent stones from entering the courtyard and the garage.
Now that you have received the initialinformation about what to expect from gravel, it is necessary to pay attention to its aesthetic qualities. This stone has a soft natural color, which is better suited to a homestead with a warm or neutral color scheme.
The long gravel path leading to the house enhances the charm of the rural landscape. It is like a carpet that connects the landscape and the beautiful house into a single organic ensemble.
The gravel path meanders along the edge of the lawn, creating a French country feel. It's the gravel and cobblestones that create such a pleasant energy.
The dark red garage doors look quite striking against the soft color of the gravel. They wouldn't look so attractive if the yard was covered with black asphalt.
The soft, modern exterior of this entrance seems to invite you in. Concrete, with its rigidity, would rather be repulsive, and laying paving stones is very labor-intensive.
Gravel driveways are great. They add a lot of beauty to your landscape design. Let's look at their advantages and disadvantages in more detail.
Benefits
1. Gravel driveway decking is much less expensive than any other material.
2. It is easy to maintain in good condition.Periodically adding gravel is easier and faster than filling holes in an asphalt path. And no special tools are required for laying it; a rake and shovel are enough. One inconvenience is the weeds that grow through the pebbles. They can be destroyed by moderate use of herbicides.
3. Gravel is suitable for different styles of homestead design. It brings out and emphasizes its natural beauty better than other materials.
This type of flooring is permeable. If it is laid according to all the rules, then rainwater goes directly into the ground, mixing with groundwater.
disadvantages
1. Snow removal. For residents of countries with snowy winters, snow removal from uneven surfaces becomes a big problem.
2. Potholes and funnels.Over time, the gravel will shift, creating depressions where water can collect. They will also be a hindrance to driving. Fortunately, these are easily fixed by adding more and leveling the gravel.
3. Dust and dirt. Keep in mind that gravel raises more dust after a car drives over it than any other surface. Material courtesy of Erin Lang Norris.
