Does Pea Gravel Work in a Driveway?

Construction

• Constructing a pea gravel driveway is a simple process that many homeowners can accomplish on their own, unlike laying a concrete or asphalt driveway. Heavy machinery makes the work easier but is not absolutely necessary. Dig out 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over the entire area where you wish to construct your driveway. Install steel edging along the edges of the driveway to keep pea gravel in and discourage weed growth. Make sure your foundation is graded appropriately, angled away from your house. Fill the foundation with pea gravel, rake it evenly, and you're all set.

Aesthetics

• Pea gravel is that it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Chances are there is a gravel distributor that can deliver a selection of gravel to your house. Pea gravel generally complements a landscape more than asphalt does, and you can choose shades of gravel that complement your house. The size of pea gravel will affect the look of your driveway, making it look rustic or almost like a paved driveway.

Environment

• Paving a driveway can cause serious erosion and water-runoff issues, harming the environment as well as your home's landscape. With a pea gravel driveway, water soaks through the gravel and is retained underneath. That's why the driveway's depth must be 4 to 6 inches; puddling may occur otherwise. A shallower foundation also may permit greater weed growth.

Maintenance

• Despite the steel edging, your driveway will inevitably lose some pea gravel over time, and it may become uneven. You may need to rake your pea gravel driveway once or twice a year to maintain an even and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Replacing gravel will probably be necessary only every few years, if that. When adding new pea gravel, buy it from the same distributor if possible to ensure you are using the same size and shade.