There are various types of driveway materials that you can choose from like tarmac, gravel, asphalt and concrete. Of these options, one of the most commonly used is gravel.
Many homeowners deem a gravel driveway as a practical choice. This is primarily because of the numerous benefits it offers.
What exactly are the advantages of using gravel for your driveway? We have listed some of them below:
Gravel Driveway: Great Appearance and Aesthetics
The driveway is the main entry point to your home. Its appearance should complement your house for your property to have curb appeal. This is easily achievable when your surfacing solution is gravel.
One of the benefits of using this material is that it comes in different sizes and colours. You can have small pebbles or larger rock chips, depending on your preference.
In terms of colour, the most common are natural tones such as grey and brown. These pair well with home exteriors that have neutral or warm colour.
You can also find varieties of gravel in hues of yellow, red and blue. These are perfect if you want to give your driveway a splash of colour.
Simply put, with this surfacing material, your driveway can have an impressive appearance, one that’s going to add to your home exterior’s aesthetic appeal.
It Is Easy to Install
This type of material can be installed easily and quickly. Unlike concrete or asphalt, you wouldn’t need to pave it or wait for it to dry. This significantly reduces waiting time which is very convenient for homeowners like you. Shorter downtime means minimal interruptions to your day-to-day routine.
In addition, the installation process is not that complicated at all which is why some homeowners opt to go the DIY route. However, it is still best to let a professional paving company do this task to guarantee a long-lasting and beautiful driveway.
It Requires Minimal Upkeep
A gravel driveway is generally low maintenance. While it may develop dips or holes, fixing these issues rarely require special tools.
However, yearly regrading is recommended to ensure the driveway’s optimal performance. You may also need to use weed killer to maintain its pristine appearance.
A Gravel Driveway Is Very Durable
This type of driveway is proven to be the least prone to damage. Since gravel is permeable, it does not absorb or become saturated with water. As a result, it would not crack due to water absorption.
It is also weather-resistant. It holds up well to extreme conditions including frost heave. Also called frost heaving, it occurs when water underground freezes and expands in the cold weather. This causes the soil to be raised higher than normal. Thanks to gravel’s porousness, it does not incur damages when frost heaving happens.
What’s more?
According to experts, gravel driveways can last for 100 years! Of course, this is only possible for those which are properly installed and regularly maintained.
It Is Environment-Friendly
Do you love eco-friendly stuff? Then, this is the right driveway material for you! As mentioned earlier, gravel is porous. As such, rainwater goes through the gravel, directly into the ground underneath. So, groundwater is replenished.
Moreover, the water that is absorbed is first filtered by the soil. This means that impurities, chemicals and other pollutants are eliminated or minimised before mixing with the groundwater.
Lastly, since water goes into the ground, runoffs and flooding, which can pollute waterways, are minimised.
It Is Easy on the Budget
Gravel is one of the most affordable surfacing materials available in the market today. This is one of the reasons why it is the preferred material for long or expansive driveways. Moreover, since it is easy to install, the labour cost is cheaper as compared to concrete.
Given that it is durable and low maintenance, gravel is not just affordable but also cost-effective. In the long run, you are bound to spend less since it doesn’t easily get damaged.
In summary, a gravel driveway is a smart choice if you want something that’s low cost without sacrificing durability and aesthetics.
Want a gravel driveway for your Dublin home? New Style Driveways is one of Ireland’s most reputable paving contractors. Please call us now on 0852139591 to learn more about our services.
