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Driveway Mat for Underneath Gravel

$185.29


FREE SHIPPING
SKU ESS5.0450

The driveway mat for underneath gravel is a high strength and dimensionally stable woven fabric that will reduce gravel migration and provide protection against rutting. This then reduces maintenance and helps provide a better driving surface as well as a more aesthetically pleasing driveway.

The fabric is made from 100%  Polypropylene. The fabric will not rot or mildew, is non-biodegradable, and is resistant to damage from insects and rodents.

Our fabrics are available in a variety of widths and lengths. The shortest length roll being 27’ and the longest 432’ with widths that vary from 12.5’ to 17.5’. We have a roll size that will meet your project needs.

These are stocked in four locations throughout the USA for faster shipping.

Looking for landscape staples? Click here>

Staples are sold separately.

Product Info

  • Heavy-duty woven geotextile provides excellent base support for roadways, parking lots, paver patios and driveways
  • Reduces the amount of base materials required for the project
  • Excellent puncture and tear resistance
  • Mildew and rot Meets most DOT specs
  • Material: Polypropylene woven fabric

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SHIPPING

✔  All items ship for free

☏  Call: (800) 583-4891 for pricing and shipping questions.

This material ships from either California, Minnesota, New Jersey or Georgia. Orders typically ship same day (if placed before 12 PM EST)

Note: The day that the order ships does not count as a transit day. We are unable to expedite fabric shipments faster than what is displayed on the map below.

Tips For Constructing A Gravel Driveway

With a little help and some tips, you can construct a gravel driveway that will enhance your home and its surroundings. Gravel driveways are affordable and will require very little maintenance. If you have the skills and know-how, you can carry out this project and have great results.

We will go over what has to be done to help you get the driveway you are looking for. Let's get started:

Preparing For Your New Driveway

Preparing for a new driveway can be a challenge. First off, you must remove the existing base in order to create a strong foundation for the new driveway to sit on. When starting this project, when digging, be very careful not to harm utility lines including electric, water, sewage, and gas. If this will be a large driveway, you will have to rent out a bulldozer or digger for good results.

Long Gravel Road

Rural Gravel Road

Construct The Subbase

In general, gravel driveways consist of three parts. A subbase and a weed membrane, followed by the gravel. The subbase is critical in order for heavy equipment or vehicles to travel over the driveway. While laying down the subbase, you will have the opportunity to flatten down an uneven surface and form a solid base.

The subbase should have a depth of at least 50 millimeters or 1.969 inches. You need to use a roller to compact the subbase. If possible, you should slope it away from your home or the garage to accommodate runoff water. Even though you can place gravel directly on solid soil, it's not recommended as the soil will not create a reliable base.

Place Down The Weed Membrane

The weed barrier such as landscape fabric should be directly rolled out over the subbase and under the gravel then staked or pegged down in place. Heavy-duty weed membrane can withstand heavy wear and tear and therefore an excellent choice for gravel driveways. Not only will the barrier stop weeds from growing through the driveway but will keep the gravel cleaner.

Choosing The Right Gravel

Once the subbase and weed membrane are solidly in place, it's time to choose the gravel for your driveway. The kind of gravel you choose will play a critical part in the performance of your driveway. In general, there are three layers set with a mechanical tamper. Each layer has a different purpose such as the driveway's strength, providing good drainage, or helping with compaction.

About The Base Layer

Base layers are made up of larger gravel. The number 1 is angular gravel which is around the size of a baseball and is a great choice for the foundation of the driveway. Machines are used to crush the rocks and offer several surfaces on each piece to interlock, forming a more durable driveway. Angular gravel is a better choice than round gravel it will easily move under the weight of moving vehicles.

About The Middle Layer

The middle layer of the driveway should be formed using medium-sized gravel. Most experts believe angular gravel is the right fit as it's approximately the size of a golf ball. This gravel will fit nicely between and against the larger gravel found in the foundation in order to create a more solid base for the driveway This layer should be approximately 4 inches thick.

About The Top Layer

This layer consists of a 4-inch layer of #57 gravel. This gravel has pieces that are approximately the size of a nickel and fits nicely between and against the larger gravel found in the other layers below it. Also, #57 gravel contains rock dust allowing the pieces to adhere to each other better. When laying the gravel, make sure to create a higher crown in the center so water can easily flow from the middle of the driveway toward the sides.

Also, you can choose to lay edging along the sides of your driveway like bricks or large stones to help keep the driveway in place and create a nicer look.

Pea Gravel

Up Close View of Gravel

Decide The Amount Of Gravel You Will Need For Each Layer

To know the amount of gravel you will need starts by measuring the length and width of the driveway in feet. Multiply these numbers together to get the overall square footage of the driveway. For instance, if the driveway is 10 feet by 20 feet long, the overall size will be 200 sq ft.

Next, multiply this number by the depth of each layer you plan to lay down to get the cubic feet of gravel needed for each layer.

Four inches is considered the average height for the layers in the driveway. If you want 4-inch layers, just divide the overall square footage by three because 4 inches equals 1/3 of a foot.

Once you have found the volume of stone needed in cubic feet, you need to divide the number by 27 to get the number of cubic yards you are going to need.

In general, you should get 1.4 tons of stone per cubic yard and allow for 4% more to compensate for compaction. Multiply the number of cubic yards by 1.4 and then by 1.04 in order to get the total tons of stones needed for one layer.

This can be complicated so you should give the dimensions of the driveway to your supplier and allow them to make the calculations. You can do that at the same time you schedule the gravel delivery.

Small Gravel Driveway

Gravel Driveway in Front of House

Spread And Compact The Layers Of The Driveway

After you have spread the bottom layer of gravel across the area, compact it with a roller to create a strong foundation. Next, lay down the middle layer of gravel. then clean up the perimeter with a rake before spreading and shaping the surface layer of gravel.

How To Maintain Your Gravel Driveway

Gravel driveways do not require a lot of maintenance though you should rake it once in a while to get rid of debris such as leaves and twigs. When raking, it's a good idea to form a peak in the middle to help with drainage. At the same time, you should repair any potholes you come across.

In Conclusion

Gravel driveways can add a great touch to your home and yard but you must pay attention to the instructions to guarantee it's done properly and will be in place for a long time. If you have concerns, hire a professional to come in and lay down the driveway for you.