Look up at the ceiling over your head, and also think about the roof above it. You are lucky to have that shelter. Of course, you worked hard to afford it, but that point aside — someone else worked really hard to build it. Our point here is that without construction workers and contractors, we would not have homes in which to live. We all value our homes, and of course, we value the other buildings we spend time in, too. Everyone has a different way of showing their appreciation for this work. Our way is to write about construction on this blog. Your way could be reading about construction on this same blog!
A gravel driveway can be far more affordable than asphalt or concrete driveways. This is particularly true if you have the gravel delivered and then spread it out yourself. Spreading gravel over a driveway space is not terribly intricate or skilled work, although it can be physically demanding. Nevertheless, there are a few tips you will want to follow when having gravel delivered for your residential driveway.
Choose your gravel carefully.
Something you may not realize until you go to order your gravel is that there are many different types of gravel. It's important not to just randomly pick one since they're not all well suited for driveway construction. At a minimum, you will want to have two types of gravel delivered. You'll want larger gravel to form the base of the driveway. Either #3 or #4 gravel will work for this purpose. The #3 gravel consists of 1 or 2-inch rocks, and #4 gravel is about the same, but with some rock dust included.
For your top layer, you will want gravel sold either as "fines" or as "#411." This is a mixture of finer gravel, sand, and rock dust. Its texture allows it to fill in the spaces between the larger gravel in your base layer, and it also allows it to become more compact and compressed.
It's also feasible to create a driveway with three layers: a large-gravel base, medium-gravel middle layer, and fine outer layer.
Have one type of gravel delivered at a time.
If your gravel company is willing to do so, have them delivered your base layer gravel first, and then your finish layer gravel a day or two later. This way, you have time to spread the base layer of gravel before you have the next type of gravel dumped on top of it. With this approach, you won't have to move as much gravel, and you don't have to worry so much about your gravel mixing together.
Ask how much gravel you need.
Instead of trying to estimate how much gravel you need for your driveway, let the gravel company do this. They're professionals; they can accurately estimate how much you need based on the size of the driveway you're trying to create. Some companies may also want to visit your home and measure your space so they can recommend the right amount of gravel. By letting the driveway company determine how much gravel you need, you're less likely to end up with extra, or with not enough.
Having gravel delivered is a great way to create an inexpensive driveway. Following the tips above will help you navigate this process smoothly.
To learn more information, reach out to a company that offers residential gravel delivery.
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