A gravel driveway can be a cost-effective and quick option for homeowners looking to refresh their home appearance.
But how well does it hold up over time?
Like all driveway materials, it depends on how well it is installed and maintained.
Fortunately, it’s easy to repair and replenish when it does start to lose its luster. But overall, you can expect your gravel driveway to last for 50 to 100 years with the proper care.
The advantages of gravel
One of the benefits of a gravel driveway is that it’s relatively inexpensive to install–around $1-$3 per square foot. It also allows for drainage, which can be beneficial in areas with heavy rainfall, preventing water from pooling on the surface.
Gravel is much less vulnerable to damage from seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, known to cause sizable cracks in driveway materials like concrete. This is why it’s able to last for so long. Freeze-thaw resistance is a major benefit, as repairing cracks in concrete can be costly and complicated. Not to mention, it often requires help from a concrete contractor. Repairing a gravel driveway, however, is usually as simple as laying down more rocks on your own.
One of its biggest benefits is that gravel can be driven on instantly. With concrete, you’ll need to wait about a week before driving on it.
The disadvantages of gravel
Gravel driveways can be prone to erosion and rutting, especially with heavy use. They can also become muddy and difficult to navigate during wet weather. Additionally, gravel can be easily displaced by vehicles and foot traffic, which can lead to a need for frequent maintenance.
A gravel driveway can last for several years, but only with frequent maintenance, including regrading every year or so and replenishing the gravel. In rare cases, it may need to be completely replaced sooner than other materials if it becomes severely damaged or worn.
For example, if your driveway is laid out in such a way that you will need to turn around in it a lot, this will gouge it out rapidly and create potholes. Thankfully, all you need to do is fill them in with more gravel and dirt in order to fix them–just make sure you keep a pile of gravel on standby. Make sure to do this as soon as possible to prevent them from getting larger and deeper.
Overall, a gravel driveway can be a cost-effective and low-maintenance option for homeowners, but it does require frequent maintenance. Before deciding on the material that’s best for your driveway, consider the specific needs and usage of the driveway, as well as your local climate.
Made your decision? Request a quote from Port Aggregates today. We offer several different driveway materials, including gravel, limestone, and concrete, and service 24 locations across Louisiana.
