Gravel may be a popular choice for driveways but here at Beauxfort we understand why it is not always a straightforward one. In our 20-plus years of working in the landscaping industry, we have heard all the common complaints about this driveway surface finish – how it gets everywhere, thins out or gets rutted, is difficult to walk or cycle on, and nigh on impossible to push a pushchair or wheelchair across.
But now there is a solution that overcomes all of those issues, making gravel the perfect choice for your driveway.
Solving gravel driveway problems
When it comes to getting a gravel driveway that will continue to look its best long after it was first laid, it’s all about what you can’t see. The secret to success with gravel driveways is the performance of the gravel mat system you choose and the ground on which it is laid.
Gravelrings gravel driveway grid system is a simple and effective way of creating a permeable gravel driveway that retains a long-lasting, consistent surface. The system’s interlocking gravel grid tiles are made up of circular cells with an integral mesh base to prevent gravel migration and prevent silt build-up. While the circular design provides the strongest gravel driveway grid design on the market, Gravelrings gravel grids have the flexibility to follow the contours of your driveway.
What lies beneath
Designed to provide hidden but effective support, Beauxfort’s 25mm deep Gravelrings gravel mats are also intended to be overfilled to prevent an unsightly grid showing through, a problem common with alternative systems. Other added benefits are that less excavation and less gravel is required. And to put your mind completely at rest about the visibility of the grid system, Gravelrings are available in black and white to blend in with your gravel colour choice.
But before a single gravel grid is laid, the excavated area should first be covered with a high performance, heavy duty geotextile fabric, such as DRIVETEX from the Product That Works range, to prevent aggregates settling into the soil beneath – the main cause of sinking and rutting. The driveway membrane should then be covered by a compacted, level and firm sub-base material (typically MOT Type 1 aggregate or Type 3 for porous, SuDS-compliant installations), to an appropriate depth for the intended traffic.
As long as your contractor follows these vital steps before laying a single Gravelrings gravel grid, you will be on the way to having the gravel driveway of your dreams.
The finishing touch
All your driveway needs now is the finishing touch – the gravel itself. Gravel offers a world of options in terms of colour, style and size, but there are a couple of principles to stick to if you want the perfect gravel driveway. Choose self-binding, angular not rounded gravel, as it displaces less easily. Choose gravel that is 14mm to 20mm as anything smaller is easily picked up in shoe treads and brought indoors, while anything larger could get flicked up and damage car paintwork, and be difficult to walk on.
Once poured and spread, your chosen gravel will be contained and stabilised by the Gravelrings grids, making it easy to walk, cycle and push small-wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs and pushchairs, over the surface.
Achieve the perfect gravel driveway with Beauxfort Gravelrings system. Check out our website www.beauxfort.com for more information about the Beauxfort landscape systems, design inspiration and to request a free sample, or talk to our friendly team about your project by contacting us on 0330 055 2599 or info@beauxfort.com.
