If you are in the countryside or town side, gravel and shingle driveways will help improve the overall design, efficiency, and impact on a home. It offers a new and fresh look that will surely elevate your mood. This types of driveway is usually chosen for three major considerations: price, aesthetics, materials used.
A gravel driveway does not need to be a long, expensive process, but the good news is that with the help of a pro, it can be an easy, cost-effective one. Many people who know nothing about building a custom driveway will actually purchase and install the same type of materials they will end up with at their new home.
If you’re considering installing a driveway made of gravel materials, you should know about the costs. There are two parts to the cost: how much it will cost to install and then maintain.
The Installation cost?
The installation price of a driveway made of gravel materials will depend on the size of your driveway, the sort of rock (gravel), and whether or not you need to have it installed over an existing surface or tear up your current drive. Gravel is fairly cheap, so you might be able to get a gravel driveway installed for about a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $3 for every sq. ft.
If you’re tearing up your concrete and capping it with gravel, the cost per square foot is lower than the cost of a concrete slab. You can probably get a gravel driveway installed for around the price range of $1.25 to $3 for every sq. ft. Want to have an asphalt driveway? Expect to pay a minimum of $3 to a maximum of $7 for every sq. ft. If you go with concrete, expect to pay around $4 and $8 for every sq. ft. for installation and materials.
The Maintenance?
The maintenance of a gravel driveway will depend upon the kind of gravel that you choose. If you choose sandy gravel, then it will likely wash away after a few years. If you want to prevent washing away, use porous gravel or river rock.
To maintain your gravel driveway, you’ll need to sweep it and remove any debris. You can also use a broom or leaf blower to move the debris from the driveway into the grass. It would help if you did not power wash your gravel drive because it could damage the rock and create erosion issues.
The Benefits?
- With the innovation of modern shingle driveways, it has become a cheap alternative to concrete and asphalt.
- The gravel driveway is environmentally friendly because it uses recycled materials available in different colours and sizes.
- It is easy to repair, unlike the concrete driveway, if accidentally damaged by a car or tree roots.
- Maintenance of gravel driveways is moderate and inexpensive.
- It needs frequent repairs and maintenance if damaged by a car or tree roots.
Final Verdict?
A gravel driveway is a great, low-cost option for homeowners who want to make their homes more distinctive. In addition to being an attractive choice for your driveways, they are also easy to install and maintain. With shingle driveways Essex, many colours, textures, styles, and patterns are available. It is important to note that typically gravel driveways are not used for long-term use on new construction but are often a temporary medium to hold up while concrete is poured and cured. This means that you won’t have to worry about the cost of having your driveway paved or repaired again and again.
