A Pros and Cons Guide to Gravel Driveways

Gravel is a common driveway surfacing material. It comes in several different kinds, sizes and shades of stone.

Gravel suits a range of property styles and is a particularly common choice for rural driveways. Lots of people pick a gravel driveway due to the fact it’s both attractive and reasonably priced.

But is gravel the best driveway surfacing material for you? We’ve compiled a list of its pros and cons to help you make a decision.

Pros

Long-lasting

Gravel driveways are long-lasting. If they’re installed properly and looked after, they will last for as long as you need.

Easy to repair

Gravel driveways are easy to repair. If the driveway becomes uneven, you can use a spade and a rake to level it out. If a pothole develops, you can simply purchase some more gravel and fill it in.

Affordable

Gravel driveways are affordable. They’re generally significantly less expensive than other driveway materials, like concrete and paving. They’re also fairly inexpensive to repair.

Short installation time

Gravel driveways take a relatively short amount of time to install. If you have a small driveway, an installer can lay it in a day. You also do not have to leave it to set or settle; you can use it right away.

Possible to customise

Gravel driveways can be customised. Gravel comes in several different shapes, sizes and shades. This means that it’s easy to create a driveway that is attractive and distinctive. Several homeowners decide to coordinate their driveways with their property.

Cons

High maintenance

Gravel driveways are high maintenance. They can develop ruts and holes quickly, which look undesirable and can be dangerous. These require filling in to make sure they don’t become a problem.

Weed growth can also develop on your gravel driveway. This can look scruffy, and needs pulling out.

Unsuitable for sloped driveways

Gravel is not suitable for sloped driveways. It will gather at the bottom of your driveway and could move into the road. This would be a safety hazard and look undesirable. It would also be hard to walk and drive on.

So gravel has several pros and cons. If you feel that gravel is the best choice for you, complete our online form. We’ll connect you with up to 4 local contractors, who’ll give you a quote.

If you want to learn more about other driveways surfacing materials, take a look at our information on asphalt, concrete and paving.

* Required fields.