Creating a custom driveway is a fun, and simple DIY (do-it-yourself) home improvement project. Today, you may find a variety of different home driveways appealing – including pea or crushed gravel driveways, paver patios, stone, and more. If you are looking for a project that will instantly boost the curb appeal of your home – try a driveway upgrade. This quick and easy guide to a gravel driveway is ideal for your next DIY project.
How Much Gravel Do I Need or How Much Stone Do I Need?
Knowing exactly how much gravel for a driveway is essential to starting the process of building one. Estimating an accurate amount of how much material you will need to complete the driveway depends on a few factors. Consider what type of gravel you want to use, or if you want to try another type of material including fine sand, coarse rocks, gravel, or stone.
NOTE: Know the amount of gravel you will need by calculating the amount based on the type of grade particles from fine to coarse (2-64 mm).
A Quick & Easy Guide to Your Custom Driveway
Creating your custom driveway does not have to be a complicated task. In fact, you can take on building your own driveway as a DIY project. Just follow this simple 5-step guide to building your own custom driveway.
Make a Plan
A custom driveway all starts with a plan, including an accurate estimate of how much material you will need. Draw an outline for the driveway, and consider the length, width, and where you will be parking your cars and vehicles. When you have the building plan created, you may also need to check with local ordinances to get a permit depending on where you live.
You may also want to include a cost estimate including these factors:
- Gravel texture
- Underlayment
- Labor
- Delivery costs
- Other materials (string, boards, mesh, rebar)
NOTE: Check with your homeowner’s association for rules on driveway installation.
Prepare the Driveway
Using stakes, create a layout of the driveway you want to have by driving stakes into the ground. Then you can use the builder’s line on them to create a visual path of the driveway to follow. Always check the layout frequently to ensure the plan you develop is correct.
Calculate Exact Measurements
It is important to calculate the measurements for a gravel driveway underlay separately from the materials or the area of the driveway. Never try to estimate the measurements for anything when you are working with gravel for your driveway.
NOTE: Gravel coverage per ton: one quarter to half-inch gravel – one hundred square feet per ton; one half to one-inch gravel – ninety square feet per ton; one and a half to two inches gravel – eighty square feet per ton.
Build the Base
Building a base requires wood, form plans, and reinforcement stakes. All of these materials need to be included in your plan to build a custom driveway. A one-by-four-inch pine board is enough for setting a driveway, but you may also need some four-inch stakes.
Lay the Gravel
You can use any type of filler material but to make sure the base is solid enough, you must plan ahead. Typically, driveways are about 4 inches thick to hold up the weight of larger vehicles. Add fine gravel or crushed rock to places that are uneven. While not all driveways are even, the top of the driveway should be mostly flat even if it is made of pebbles or stones.
A Cricket Pavers associate can discuss your next DIY home improvement project with you. You may want to know, “How much gravel do I need?”, “Is a stone driveway right for me?”, and “How can I estimate gravel for driveway building?” In just one call you can get the answer to these, and the rest of your questions. So call, today!
