Gravel grids

[DonkeyApple]

The property has a large crazy paving patio to the rear that is being lifted up and the plan is to put down membrane then gravel grids so that furniture doesn't sink so easily. The grids I seem to be finding on the internet all appear to be intended to take the weight of cars which strikes me as overkill. Was wondering if anyone happens to know of a less expensive product for just paths or patios. So far I've just found this: https://www.stonewarehouse.co.uk/gravel-chippings/...

[randlemarcus]

I have gravel grids in my greenhouse, as they were cheap. Worth bearing in mind that while gravel is a great medium for heavy things with good load spreading, it's less fun with pointy loads like chairlegs.

[DonkeyApple]

randlemarcus said:

I have gravel grids in my greenhouse, as they were cheap. Worth bearing in mind that while gravel is a great medium for heavy things with good load spreading, it's less fun with pointy loads like chairlegs.

Yup, that's why the grids are seen as an aide to that issue rather than just hardcore then 2 inches of unsupported gravel. Ultimately, another section of the garden is going to be dug and replaced with self binding so as to make a seating area so the patio will mainly be a transit point, which again the grids make a little easier.

[TimmyMallett]

https://www.nidagraveluk.co.uk/gravel%2dgrid%2dnid...


Any use?

[Snow and Rocks]

I don't know if you have a specific gravel in mind but angular crushed stone rather than rounded gravel all but solves the problem anyway. We have it everywhere without grids and after a while it's pretty much a solid surface as far as things sinking goes.

[DonkeyApple]

Snow and Rocks said:

I don't know if you have a specific gravel in mind but angular crushed stone rather than rounded gravel all but solves the problem anyway. We have it everywhere without grids and after a while it's pretty much a solid surface as far as things sinking goes.

One thought was Cotswold chippings but they do tend to lead to a lot of muck being walked in, even after a month of initial rain to wash most of the dust down.

[Snow and Rocks]

Yep, anything sand or limestone based just turns to mush over time. You would need to track down something harder (igneous stuff like granite or gabbro) Easy and cheap (£20 a tonne maybe) to get from endless quarries here in Aberdeenshire but I guess maybe not elsewhere in the country.

[DonkeyApple]

Snow and Rocks said:

Yep, anything sand or limestone based just turns to mush over time. You would need to track down something harder (igneous stuff like granite or gabbro) Easy and cheap (£20 a tonne maybe) to get from endless quarries here in Aberdeenshire but I guess maybe not elsewhere in the country.

Peterhead Prison has a nice selection of the local gravel chipping market on display.

In reality, finding the right stone that won't carry muck but then won't make the barefoot brigade wail is not the easiest of tasks. Add in an Italian wife who doesn't understand why every single surface on the property can't be covered in marble or why we have to have an oak open porch instead of a marble portico taller than the property and at times I'm tempted to just let the local travellers loose with their tarmac.

[sherman]

These are probably what you are after. They are not to tall. Easy to cut to size/shape with tin snips. I used them for a small area I was tidying up.
https://www.toolstation.com/plastic-ground-stabili...

I also got some from Amazon when I did a larger area. They are a bit bigger squares than the above
https://amzn.eu/d/9RVTe7A

[CAS-wzwox]

Did you get anywhere with this?

No one seems to have suggested this but we put these down:

https://www.ibran.com/products/gravel-parking-grid...

[DonkeyApple]

Thanks. Would have been ideal. Went with an MOT whacked base in the end as the builders transpired to be barely functional toddlers so did it myself.