New Driveway

delthedriver

Can someone recommend surface options for a driveway in a country home.

It presently has a crushed limestone base with limestone chippings on top.

Tarmacadam seems the obvious choice, however would appear out of place in a coastal setting. I have also noticed nearby properties with tarmacadam appear to have a never ending issue with moss , which destroys the appearance of the drive.

Brick driveway may be an option also but requires regular maintenance, time I would prefer to spend cycling or walking!

Any other ideas ? Obviously I need to consider cost, low maintenance is very .
important.

Many thanks,

d.:)

sydthebeat

coastal?

pea gravel !!

Drift

In my opinion the level of maintenance of any "loose" driveway surface is always going to be greater than the maintenance of a tarmacadam one.

sydthebeat

Drift wrote: »

In my opinion the level of maintenance of any "loose" driveway surface is always going to be greater than the maintenance of a tarmacadam one.

any increase in 'maintenance' is greatly out weight by the aural, visual and vernacular feature provided by a gravel driveway.

Proper installation also has a great effect on annual maintenance.

Drift

I'm not for a minute saying that tarmacadam is the best option in any given circumstance - particularly aesthetically.

I've seen perfectly laid gravel driveways but a perfectly installed tarmacadam driveway is still lower maintenance (imo!).

sydthebeat

yes id agree that tar is less maintenance generally, however in a coastal setting it may not be, depends on the topography really

delthedriver

Hi Folks,

Thank you most sincerely for your replies and suggestions which are greatly appreciated.

Gravel is now the way I am thinking............


Sincerely ,

d:)

macadam

Everything will have some maintenance, in order of maintenance:
Gravel/stones, movement, weeds, hard on your bike ride.

Asphalt, as Tarmacadam is no longer viable for driveways.

Concrete, will have less maintenance but in the climate we have will still attract moss in shade unused areas.

hexosan

macadam wrote: »

Everything will have some maintenance, in order of maintenance:
Gravel/stones, movement, weeds, hard on your bike ride.

Asphalt, as Tarmacadam is no longer viable for driveways.

Concrete, will have less maintenance but in the climate we have will still attract moss in shade unused areas.

Would you recommend concrete over tar and is there much of a difference in the cost between the two

macadam

hexosan wrote: »

Would you recommend concrete over tar and is there much of a difference in the cost between the two

Well Im in the Asphalt/Tarmac trade so I would have a slight preference for the black stuff although we also install concrete drives, the pros and cons are, asphalt/tarmac and concrete will both attract moss or algae, its our damp climate. Concrete can be power washed asphalt/ tarmac should never be washed. asphaltTarmac can be painted/sealed which brings it back to new.
There is some maintenance with all driveway materials as you are constantly driving walking dragging dirt muck dust grass leaves etc over it.
The worst choice I feel is bevelled paving.