Gravel driveways are attractive options for homeowners who have large driveways due to their low cost and easy maintenance. Here are some of the pros and cons of choosing gravel for your driveway:
Pros:
- It is inexpensive and easy to install. Often, a gravel driveway costs between $1-$5 per square foot.
- With proper maintenance including grading, weeding, and rock replacement, a gravel driveway will last forever.
- Rock colors, shapes, and sizes can be selected to seamlessly fit the color of your home and existing landscaping.
- Gravel is an environmentally friendly building material.
Cons:
- Snow removal is more difficult and can cause rocks to spread onto grass and into landscaping over the winter months.
- Sinkholes and ruts can form as the result of day to day driving and snow removal.
- Gravel is dusty and dirty, and this debris is easily tracked into your home.
- Gravel driveways need to be continually weeded. However, this problem can be mitigated by laying a membrane beneath the gravel surface.
For assistance with your landscape design and for more information on gravel driveways, contact us at Hermes Landscaping today and we will be glad to offer you our expertise.