Gravel grids. Are they essential.

[Too Late]

We are planning on graveling around 80m2.
Do we need to have these gravel grids?
Looking about a 40mm depth of gravel on a sub base of 100mm

The gravel grids add around £800 to the over cost.

Thanks
N

[gretsch drummer]

I've just done the same thing, only 15m2 but with the same depth measurements. I've not used gravel grids and I'm not experiencing any sinkage at all.

Lay your sub-base to 5" and it will compact down to 4" after wacker plate'ing it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[shtu]

The standard answer = pavingexpert.

http://www.pavingexpert.com/gravel01.htm

[V8RX7]

No - I only use them to retain gravel on slopes.

40mm may be a bit deep - it becomes harder to walk on etc

[Too Late]

Thanks chaps
N

[deckster]

My dissenting view...

Firstly £800 for 80sqm is very cheap. I haven't seen any under £15/sqm + VAT, plus you will need additional gravel as the overall depth will be greater if you use pavers.

Secondly, I have just done my drive - similar size to yours - after years of hauling stuff over the gravel and having to sweep it back into place constantly. The difference is night and day and frankly I wish I'd done it earlier. Walking over the gravel is much firmer, the wheely bin doesn't bog down, we don't get trackmarks left by bike tyres, and the gravel stays pretty much where it was put. Yes it was pricey, paying retail, and a fair bit of sweat to get it all done but totally worth it.

Are they necessary? Clearly not; many people have gravel drives without them. Do they significantly improve the utility and ease of maintenance of the drive? In my experience, absolutely.

[V8RX7]

deckster said:

after years of hauling stuff over the gravel and having to sweep it back into place constantly.

the wheely bin doesn't bog down, we don't get trackmarks left by bike tyres, and the gravel stays pretty much where it was put.

You either had too much depth or too small (pea) gravel.

I have had three gravel drives with no issues.

The last one we ordered too much and then we experienced similar - removing some solved it.

IME around 20mm deep is fine.