Gravel Information

Gravel driveways are one of the most popular choices for driveways and hard landscaping in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. It’s cheap, easy to lay, low maintenance and looks good, particularly in country settings or in towns where it matches the predominant stone and brick colouring of the area. There’s an immense choice of size, colour and texture, so it’s a good choice for resurfacing.

The crunch of gravel under a car’s wheels is very satisfying and can also act as a defensive measure, alerting you to uninvited guests.

Pros & Cons of gravel driveways

Pros

• Budget friendly: Gravel is a low cost option compared to other types of driveway finishes, especially if you have a large area to cover.
• Easy to maintain: Gravel driveways require very little maintenance. Replenishing the surface gravel and picking out any weeds should be enough to keep it looking well.
• Quick installation: Laying the gravel in your driveway is a relatively quick process for your convenience.
• It’s permeable: unlike some driveway finishes, gravel is permeable meaning water won’t stagnate and affect the quality of your driveway.
• Long-lasting: A high-quality gravel driveway, that is properly installed and cared for can last a lifetime.

Cons

• Develop ruts and holes: If you use your driveway a lot, over time, unsightly ruts and holes can appear in the gravel, which will need to be filled in.
• Weed growth: Whilst a gravel driveway is pretty easy to maintain, weeds can be quite prolific. You need to make sure you have a good weed killer and the patience to constantly be on weed duty!
• Can be dusty and dirty: Unlike a smooth driveway such as concrete or asphalt, gravel can be quite dirty and throw up a lot of dust which can get on your car, not to mention in the air you breathe.
• Not great in extreme weather conditions: Trying to remove snow or ice from a gravel driveway can be extremely difficult and time consuming. You have to get the salt and sand out to dissolve the ice and give you grip on your tires.
• Limited with colours and styles: Whilst gravel can complement many different kinds of homes, there aren’t very many different colours, textures and patterns of gravel to choose from.