Types of Pebble Gravel for Driveways

Pea Gravel

• The most inexpensive type of gravel is pea gravel, which comes in different price ranges with the more expensive pea gravel having a more consistent size. Normally homeowners use pea gravel for smaller driveways and use other kinds of gravel for larger ones. The pea gravel stones have mixtures of color though they generally have a dominance of either gray or brown.

Riverstone

• Riverstone looks similar to pea gravel except he riverstone is rounder than the pea gravel and is a little more expensive. Also, this kind of gravel requires more maintenance than the pea gravel. Also, car tires can easily spread the riverstone gravel.

Water Repellent

• Gravel tends to act as a water repellent, causing water to run off of the gravel and to the side of the driveway. Adding water repellent material to the gravel can further enhance this property so that the driveway does not develop puddles or create a slick surface where pedestrians can trip and vehicles can slide.

Garden-Friendly Gravel

• Some gravel comes in the form of tumbled grass and slate mulch. These types of gravel are better for gardens when the gravel stone gets kicked by cars or by the wind into the garden. The mulch and tumbled grass will act as fertilizer for the garden.

Custom Gravel

• By spending more money, homeowners can purchase custom gravel that has a specific look. These kinds of gravel are made out of special materials, such as limestone, and are sometimes dyed different colors depending on the taste of the homeowner.

Erosion Control

• Some gravel suffers from more wind erosion and water erosion than other kinds of gravel. Granite gravel resists this kind of erosion more than other kinds of gravel. This gravel works the best for drains and temporary driving surfaces. Even better for erosion control is rip rap, which is a collection of larger granite chunks that are not carried by the wind very easily.

Granite Sand

• Granite sand is the other gravel extreme that consists of very small pieces of gravel, usually crushed stone. This kind of gravel is very easily shoveled and can be packed into tight areas. This kind of gravel can provide a very firm base.