10th August 2021

Are gravel grids worth installing?

Are gravel grids worth installing?

Having weighed up the pros and cons of a gravel driveway, you will undoubtedly have come to the conclusion that it’s the best driveway surface, a worthwhile investment in your property, one that will elevate its appearance and kerb appeal, and even add value. But when scrutinising the cost breakdown of a gravel driveway quote, you may query if the addition of a gravel grid system is worth the extra time and cost. It is and here’s why.

More stability, less maintenance

Older methods of laying gravel driveways did not include gravel grids, which are a relatively new method of installing gravel driveways. Beauxfort’s Gravelrings gravel grid system features specially designed metre-square gravel mats that are laid beneath the surface. Not only do they provide greater stability, avoiding rutting and unevenness over time, but the circular cells hold the gravel in place, helping to stop gravel from shifting and reducing the need to maintain the gravel surface. Meanwhile, the integral mesh base helps to control weed growth.

The benefits of Gravelrings go beyond holding the gravel in place and providing stability beneath the surface. The clever design of the mesh-backed gravel grids means that gravel and silt can’t work their way beneath the panels and push them up to cause an irregular surface over time. This means that a gravel driveway fitted with Gravelrings stays looking good.

Less gravel and muck-away, quicker install

Adding another layer may seem to be an additional unnecessary cost to a gravel driveway installation. However, the efficiencies and benefits of the Gravelrings system outweigh the additional material cost. At just 25mm deep, the circular cells make Gravelrings one of the lowest profile gravel retention systems and they require less gravel to fill them than traditional methods.

Nor does laying this extra layer add extra time to the installation of a gravel driveway, and additional labour costs to match. Thanks to its low profile, the Gravelrings gravel system requires less digging out than traditional methods and other gravel grid systems. Not only does this reduce labour time, but there’s also less muck away, which means fewer skip loads for the disposal of excavated soil. Delivered to site in pre-assembled one-metre square sheets and with a firm but straightforward clipping mechanism, Gravelrings grids are extremely quick to install.

The costs of not installing gravel grids

If you think installing a gravel retention system simply means additional costs, think again. While gravel grids may appear as an extra line on your quote, what you won’t see on there are the costs of not installing them. Gravel driveways installed without gravel grids are prone to all manner of problems – gravel shifting and rutting, regular maintenance requirements, topping up gravel that has thinned out, and that is after you have paid more for items such as labour, muck-away and gravel when your gridless driveway is laid.

Together with improved long-term stability and low maintenance benefits, the advantages of laying a Gravelrings gravel grid system far outweigh any upfront additional costs.

Achieve the perfect gravel driveway with the Beauxfort Gravelrings system. Check out www.beauxfort.com for more information on Beauxfort landscape systems, design inspiration, and request a free sample. You can talk to our team about your project by contacting us on 0330 055 2599 or info@beauxfort.com.

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