Gravel driveway - Not sure where to start!

[schmonkelmeister]

Hi, am planning on gravelling an existing tarmac driveway and extending it over part of the front garden, this will be used to park two or more cars. Next door have done a similar thing but their hardcore/sub base is coming up through the gravel and looks awful, how do I prevent this? Have they not 'whacked' it enough or used the wrong sub base? There are also conflicting views about whether landscape fabric is needed underneath the gravel, do I need this? Would I be better using a dry cement mix to bind the sub base and ensure it doesn''t come through? ??? ???

[IanMelb]

As I've discovered, there is an awful lot of information on this site, "The answers to many questions are there"

This page (Gravel FAQ) may have some of the answers you're looking for.

HTH

Ian

[wingy73]

use geotextile(fabric )before laying your gravel,

[bobhughes]

You could use a resin base gravel as described here http://www.pavingexpert.com/resin.htm

More money but a vast improvement over loose gravel

[schmonkelmeister]

Thanks for your input, don't like the resin based gravel, think it just looks like coloured tarmac!
Which geotextile would you recommend, wingy 73, have you done it this way yourself?
Thanks again

[Stuarty]

I always use Terram for laying gravel etc

[Tony McC]

Terram BuildA (as they call it) or any of the Terram 700-1000 series.

TDP115

Lotrak

[schmonkelmeister]

Thanks to everyone who has advised I'm going for the plunge this weekend and starting the drive.
Schmonks

[simony]

I like gravel. I want gravel. But there is a lsight gradient on my drive and cars have a consistent turning circle which will shift the gravel.
The contrctors all tell me to go for gravel on tar but that's expsensive.
Is there any answer to the issue of movement?
and what's Terram?

[simony]

sorry should have read slight gradient

[IanMelb]

and what's Terram

It's a trade name but in gardening circles it means a sheet-based weed barrier - water-permeable but quite tough.

[matt h]

gravel may be cheapest option, but over time will shiftwhatever youdo

[Tony McC]

Gravel and gradients don't go together. Full stop.

There's only two ansers: either you bond the gravel, using tar or resin, or you rely on a cell matrix to keep the gravel in place.

If you think Tar'n'Chip is expensive, then the resin bound will be completely out of the question. Cell matrices might just be within your budget, but it depends on how much prep work is required.

Read up on these alternative techniques on the main website.