Laying Gravel and Buying Aggregates

GARDEN · GLOBAL

Laying Gravel and Buying Aggregates

Calculating quantity, depth and membrane, edging and drainage rules

Gravel is the cheapest way to cover ground and the most commonly done badly, and almost every problem is depth or preparation.

Calculating quantity

Area in square metres multiplied by the depth in metres gives volume. As a rough guide, a tonne of gravel covers around twelve to fourteen square metres at 50mm deep.

Bulk bags are far cheaper per tonne than small bags. Check where a lorry can drop one and that the ground can take it.

Depth

Around 50mm for a path or a decorative area. Too shallow and the membrane shows through; too deep and walking becomes hard work, since feet sink in loose stone.

For a driveway, gravel needs a proper sub-base of compacted hardcore beneath, and a stabilising grid keeps it out of the road and out of the lawn.

Membrane

A woven weed membrane suppresses growth from below and does nothing about seed landing on top, which is where most weeds in gravel actually come from. Rake it occasionally and pull them early.

Edging

Gravel migrates. Timber, metal or brick edging is what keeps it where you put it, and it is the step people skip and regret.

Drainage and permission

Loose gravel is porous, which is why it generally avoids the planning issue that comes with paving a front garden. In England, laying an impermeable surface over five square metres at the front needs planning permission unless drainage is directed to a border.

Sizes and types

10mm suits paths and is comfortable underfoot. 20mm stays in place better on slopes and in driveways. Very small grades track indoors on shoes.

Other aggregates

Sharp sand for laying slabs, building sand for mortar, MOT type 1 for sub-bases, and bark or wood chip for beds and play areas. Using the wrong one is why patios sink and mortar fails.

Play-grade bark is graded and free of sharp pieces, which matters under equipment.

Ordering and delivery

Confirm where the lorry can stop, whether a hiab or a tipper is used and how close to the house it can get. Bulk bags are dropped where the crane reaches, which may be the end of a drive.

Order a little more than you calculate, since the surface settles and topping up later means another delivery charge for a small quantity.

Maintaining gravel

Rake it level a couple of times a year, top up where it has thinned, and pull weeds early before they root through the membrane. A stiff broom clears leaves without scattering stone.

Keep gravel off lawns and out of drains, since it damages mowers and blocks gullies.

Handling it

Wet aggregate is far heavier than it looks. Half-fill a barrow, lift with the legs, and wear gloves, boots and eye protection.

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