More gravel driveway qs - Qs relating to gravel driveways

[sac]

Hi Tony McC,

I couldn't find answers on your excellent website to my specific questions on gravel driveways, so here goes ....

1. as I will have cement joints between the edging bricks, I was considering using a powder dye, Sealotone, to give the cement a buff/cotswold stone colour. I'm concerned the colour may fade over time ? If so, do you or anyone else have a better alternative ?

2. I was recommended a Cotswold Buff coloured gravel, which apparently is flint, and harder-wearing than than other similar gravel from my area (Wiltshire). I do prefer this colour gravel. What do you think ?

3. I was recommended 20mm gravel. Is this the optimum size ?
Other areas of your site seem to suggest smaller sizes ?

4. Most of the driveway already has a pretty firm sub-base. So I was just going to dig up the first 3 or so cms and then wackerplate it down. The sides of the drive are soil so I was going to put a geo-membrane and sub-base down the sides. They'd only be strips of 0.3m x 7m. And then put gravel over the whole area. Does it make sense to do this ?

5. Finally, I was going to use 9in x 4in Tumbled Bekstone cut in halves as the edging. Its reconstituted Cotswold Stone, which I understand is used for driveways. One band of the edging will be driven over by cars. I'm concerned about the durability of the stone ? Also, as it's reconstituted stone I presume it shouldn't discolour, should it ?

Many thanks in advance for your help,
Steve.

[Tony McC]

1 - matter of taste. Generally speaking, any mortar joint at ground level will be earthy-brown in a couple of months regardless of what colour it was originally, because of the build-up of detritus.

2 - I don't live in the Cotswolds or Wiltcestershirem, so I can't really comment, but if it's the Cots Buff gravel I'm thinking of, it will be fine.

3 - 20mm is too big. Great for land drainage, SUDS or a gravel trap, but bloody useless for driveways unless it is 20mm down.

4 - I'm not sure whether a geo-textile is necessary, but, as long as it is a proper geo-textile and not a crappy weed membrane rag as sold by the DIY sheds, then it can't do any harm (except to your wallet)

5 - Not familiar with this "Bekstone": it must be a local product that doesn't make it up here to the civilised part of the country. However, with dimensions of 9" x 4", I'm guessing it's a masonry (walling) product rather than a paver, so I'd be wanting to know a lot more about it before sanctioning its use.

[sac]

Hi Tony McC,

the stone I'm thinking of using for edging (this 9in x 4in Tumbled Bekstone) is more specifically called Bekstone Cotswold tumbled stone (I think!).

It is effectively bricks for walling, and it seems to be reconstituted from Cotswold stone (not sure if this is the correct technical term), but I guess it's that light/honey coloured stone quarried in the Cotswolds.

The suppliers have said it is for walling, but can be used for driveways, but then every supplier seems to say that about their brick/stone.

I have looked at maybe a dozen suppliers of paving in the area, and haven't find any edgings that we've liked. We're interested in the above as it's our favoured shape (sett-like if split in two), and attractive in that it looks lie real stone rather than some of the setts we've seen and considered for edging.

Would a photo help ??

Anyway, I've put the suppliers on hold while I try to ensure it's the right product, so any suggestions would be very welcome.

I can't add anything else without waffling even more, but I hope it helps.

Steve.

[Tony McC]

Send me a photie or a url I can follow

[sac]

Hi Tony McC,

I have a photo and now a couple of pages of PDF from the company, who I think produce the stone.

How do I upload or send you such files to look at ?

Maybe I'm being dim but I can't see a way.

Steve.

[Tony McC]

For PDFs, the simplest way is to quote a url that links to them, or to email them to me.

[sac]

Hi Tony McC,

I've sent you an email.

Steve.

[sac]

Hi Tony McC,

I was expecting you'd say that the bricks I was planning to use were not appropriate, so I've been looking around for other possibilities.

I think I've found more suitable edging; I'm probably going to use Whitby Stone Setts in 100x100x50 and 200x100x50 sizes. These are natural stone. I presume from Whitby.

I think these would meet more with your approval.

Steve.

[Tony McC]

Sorry for the l-o-n-g delay - been busy and poorly.

Your piccy of the Bekstone...



... this is definitely not suitable for paving work. It's a walling stone and as such, is way too soft to take tr5affic, even foot traffic.

Whitby stone setts - if they are the product I'm thinking of, they've never been anywhere near Whitby in their life. They're an Indian stone imported by a particular company and given an "English" name in a pathetioc attempt to make them seem native. However, despite their geographical misdirection, they're fine for paving.

[sac]

Hi Tony McC,

thanks for your advice. You've convinced me to go with the Whitby Stone Setts even tho' the name's misleading !

So thanks a lot for your time and help.

Cheers,
Steve.