Gravel Driveways
Gravel driveways cost a fraction of asphalt driveways.
Gravel driveways. Although gravel driveways are the least expensive initially they require the most maintenance long term. Gravel that is spread on a surface without secure wooden forms or edges will eventually be squeezed outward from the driveway and will scatter on adjacent surfaces such as sidewalks lawns patios or even a nearby street. Gravel driveways can be installed in the shortest amount of time with very little impact on the use of your driveway. Gravel driveway installation should be accompanied by meticulous drainage planning and an experienced grader operator to minimize the ongoing maintenance as much as possible.
Rain and snow are absorbed into the ground beneath the gravel. Gravel is much less expensive for long driveways than most other driveway materials and it can last for generations with regular maintenance. That s a huge difference. A 12 25 1 car gravel driveway costs 300 to 900 and a 24 24 2 car driveway is 600 to 1 800.
A gravel driveway is an attractive and inexpensive addition to your home. Gravel driveways last longer than paved driveways and are more environmentally friendly. A gravel driveway can be a classic low maintenance and inexpensive addition to a home. A gravel driveway costs 1 to 3 per square foot to install.
A driveway more than 12 feet wide and a quarter mile long with slopes curves and poor soil which requires additional prep work can cost 11 000 all the way to 60 000. Click here to read where one gravel driveway contractor says an 8 000 asphalt driveway would only cost 1 500 if done with gravel. For homes it is not uncommon to have gravel driveways leading to concrete garage floors. Costs depend on the size and depth gravel type soil conditions labor excavation grading permits and optional grid stabilization.
Annual maintenance includes herbicide application and raking. In many rural areas gravel is the material of choice for both driveways and roadways. This can help to prevent runoff and minimize the risk of flooding. It complements a range of house styles and even better is a reasonable undertaking for a determined diyer.
Generally a smaller regular sized driveway 20 x 20 will run you 1 300 to 1 500 which is 3 75 per square foot. Gravel is typically graded by size and most driveways use at least three different sizes of gravel that are put down in layers to create a solid foundation and ensure proper drainage. A 12 by 25 foot driveway with at least 4 inches of gravel can cost about 300 to 1 000. Gravel driveways are very popular in some areas and very hard to find in others.