Asked by: Mertie Faget
home and garden landscaping

Are gravel patios a good idea?

Last Updated: 13th April, 2020

29
Gravel is one of the most economical and simple materials to use for a patio. While hardscaping materials like slab concrete, concrete pavers, and natural stone are solid, reliable patio surfaces, they can be expensive and difficult to install on a do-it-yourself basis.

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Similarly one may ask, what type of gravel is best for patios?

Round gravel, such as pea gravel, has the most give and is the most comfortable to walk on. The gravel does shift some. You'll notice footprints in your patio after you walk on it, and you'll need to rake the gravel back into place and add more gravel from time to time.

Also, how deep should a gravel patio be? Similar to pea gravel walkways, most pea gravel patios are constructed to offer a depth of about two inches, though you may need to dig deeper if the underlying soil isn't firm enough to provide an effective foundation. Thus, your first step should be to determine whether or not you'll need to add a base layer.

People also ask, how do you maintain a gravel patio?

6 Easy Maintenance Tips for Your Gravel Patio

  1. Weeding your Gravel Patio. Weeds that grow on the gravel between cracks allow dirt to accumulate.
  2. Rake Your Gravel Patio. Gravel has the tendency to move around and this needs to be raked and smoothed into place.
  3. Getting Rid of Potholes.
  4. Water Drainage for your Gravel Patio.
  5. Removing the Leaves.
  6. Add a Fresh Layer of Gravel.

Is pea gravel good for patios?

Pea gravel can help to prevent erosion, because water doesn't run off its surface, but rather soaks right through into the ground. For this reason, a gravel patio doesn't need to be graded on a slight incline, as is the case with other materials, such as patio pavers.

Related Question Answers

Milena Barcenilla

Professional

What is the best base for concrete?

Subgrade and subbase are the foundation of a concrete slab and play critical role in its performance. According to the ACI Code, the subgrade is a compacted and improved natural soil or brought infill whereas subbase is a layer of gravel placed on the top of the subgrade.

Kandra Gibelondo

Professional

Can you use gravel for a patio?

Gravel is one of the most economical and simple materials to use for a patio. While hardscaping materials like slab concrete, concrete pavers, and natural stone are solid, reliable patio surfaces, they can be expensive and difficult to install on a do-it-yourself basis.

Arritokieta Lombo

Professional

How thick should a pea gravel patio be?

Similar to pea gravel walkways, most pea gravel patios are constructed to offer a depth of about two inches, though you may need to dig deeper if the underlying soil isn't firm enough to provide an effective foundation. Thus, your first step should be to determine whether or not you'll need to add a base layer.

Edilberto Petticrew

Explainer

What is the best base for paving stones?

Roughly crushed stone makes a good base for pavers that will be used more regularly. A base of 4 to 6 inches of well-compacted stone pieces provides a sturdy and stable foundation for nearly any type of paver installation, notes Concrete Construction, an industry website.

Harjinder Kronmuller

Explainer

Do you need to put gravel under pavers?

You have several ways to install pavers, including directly over dirt, in mortar or over a bed of gravel and sand. While you don't need to lay a gravel foundation for pavers, you should assess the condition of the base and make it as solid as possible before laying the pavers.

Huria Allmacher

Explainer

What is the best stone for outdoor patio?

Here's a closer look at some of the best and most popular natural stone types for residential patios in NJ:
  • Bluestone. Bluestone has been a staple in patio construction for many years – and for good reason.
  • Brownstone.
  • Limestone.
  • Sahara Granite.
  • Pea Gravel.
  • Other Loose Fill Stone.

Usune Bartetzko

Pundit

How much crushed stone do I need for a patio?

The amount of crushed stone you will need depends on your type of paving project. For light duty projects, such as walkways or patios, you will use a four-inch depth of crushed stone. To determine the cubic yards of crushed stone needed to create a four inch base, multiply the total square footage by .01235.

Yash Udondo

Pundit

How much does a gravel patio cost?

Cost of Pea Gravel Patio
Pea Gravel Patio Costs Zip Code Sq. ft.
Basic Better
Pea Gravel Patio – Installation Cost $162.50 - $187.50 $200.00 - $237.50
Pea Gravel Patio – Total $215.00 - $242.50 $257.50 - $297.50
Pea Gravel Patio – Total Average Cost per square foot $0.92 $1.11

Adelin Gerhardt

Pundit

Should landscape fabric go under gravel?

For all that, weed cloth does have a use: under hardscape. It may be bad under bark dust, mulch, soil, or compost but it works very well under river rock, gravel, decomposed granite, or flagstone. It certainly does help with weeds, but it also keep mud and aggregate separate during our wet winters!

Nourddine Vasyagin

Pundit

How do I stop weeds growing in my gravel?

Using salt to prevent weeds in gravel:
  1. Dilute the salt and water. You'll need roughly 1kg of salt per 2 litre of water.
  2. Add the dish soap last otherwise it will foam up when adding water. Shake or stir it.
  3. Spray you're whole gravel driveway, you may need to make a lot.

Jaouhara Colomes

Pundit

Is pea gravel expensive?

For larger projects, homeowners can buy pea gravel by the cubic yard or by the ton. The general range for a cubic yard of plain pea gravel is about $30 to $35, and a ton will cost about $40 to $45. For a colored variety, expect to add an extra $20 to $50 to those prices.

Amrinder Zhalybin

Teacher

How do you edge a pea gravel patio?

Lay your edging material over the level gravel layer. Begin the edging material installation at one corner of the pea gravel patio. Continue working around the patio. Position your edging material tightly together to prevent visible gaps.

Maylin Stienhans

Teacher

How do I make a pea gravel patio?

How to Make a Pea Gravel Patio in a Weekend
  1. Cost. One of the biggest differences between a pea gravel patio and a paver patio is cost.
  2. Remove the Grass (if Necessary)
  3. Dig Down three Inches.
  4. Compact the Soil and Lay Landscaping Fabric.
  5. Install Gravel Patio Edging.
  6. Add retaining wall for garden bed (optional)
  7. Fill Patio with Pea Gravel.
  8. Add Fire Pit and Benches.

Eileen Almale

Teacher

Is pea gravel good for drainage?

Since it has a smooth finish, pea gravel is also regularly used for walkways, dog runs, playgrounds, patios, and a variety of other high-traffic areas. Like crushed stone, pea gravel can also be used for underground projects, such as drainage and pipe bedding.

Coralee Tonniss

Reviewer

Is pea gravel cheaper than concrete?

Pea gravel is cheaper than a majority of other fillers, like concrete and other larger stones. Its cost ranges from around USD 35 to USD 55 per cubic yard. Also, it can be compacted better than the large-sized fillers.

Abbass Paull

Reviewer

How do you build a crushed stone patio?

Crushed stone is one of the most reliable base materials you can use under a patio surface of pavers or slabs. Dig a patio base 10 inches below grade and lay a flat base of 2 inches of sand. After leveling, place sheets of erosion-reducing fabric over the sand. Place a 6-inch depth of crushed stone on the fabric.

Dory Chrif

Reviewer

What is the cheapest material to use for a patio?

Concrete patios are typically one of the least expensive to build. Assuming proper installation and maintenance, they are one of the most durable, too, though like brick, concrete is subject to cracking with freeze-thaw cycles. Since poured concrete follows any form, unlimited patio design options are possible.

Sabiniana LVI

Reviewer

What is the cheapest gravel for landscaping?

Landscape Gravel
The maximum cost for crushed rock gravel or lava rock is approximately $1,150 for 70 square feet of gravel. The average cost for 32 square feet of pea gravel or river rock is $700. The minimum cost that property owners pay for pea gravel or river rock is $175, which covers about 7 square feet.

Enda Domma

Supporter

What depth should Gravel Be?

What depth of gravel do I need? You would usually lay a 10mm aggregate at a depth of 30-40mm, but on a driveway this would need to be at least 50mm. A 20mm aggregate would need to be at least 40-50mm deep, and at least 50-60mm on driveways.

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EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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13th April, 2020

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