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Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 10:21 pm
by 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? ??? ???
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 10:27 pm
by 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
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:53 pm
by wingy73
use geotextile(fabric )before laying your gravel,
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:03 pm
by 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
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 7:58 pm
by 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
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:53 pm
by Stuarty
I always use Terram for laying gravel etc
Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 9:58 am
by Tony McC
Terram BuildA (as they call it) or any of the Terram 700-1000 series.
TDP115
Lotrak
Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 9:15 pm
by schmonkelmeister
Thanks to everyone who has advised I'm going for the plunge this weekend and starting the drive.
Schmonks
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:00 pm
by 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?
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:01 pm
by simony
sorry should have read slight gradient
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:07 pm
by 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.
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:50 am
by matt h
gravel may be cheapest option, but over time will shiftwhatever youdo
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:40 pm
by 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.