Gravel Driveways Oxted Wide Are Beautiful – And Practical Too

We’re often told first impressions count, and the exterior of your house – the frontage particularly – is no exception. Even if your home is freshly painted and you’ve decorated the area with welcoming pots of flowers or hanging baskets, if your driveway is shabby and run-down, it can let the whole of your property down. Gravel driveways Oxted wide have been around a long time now and can give a property a softer, warmer, more textured and more appealing look than structured block paving or a solid tarmac surface.

But what are gravel driveways’ other advantages? Here, we look at the top three.

Appearance

There is a huge choice when it comes to selecting a type of gravel for your driveway. Not only does the size of the stones vary, but there are plenty of colour options too, so you can have a type of gravel that matches, enhances or contrasts with your property’s exterior and the landscape around it. So gravel is a material that can be personalised to you and your home, and none of your neighbours are likely to have exactly the same drive as you do.

Longevity

It’s estimated by some people that with the right care and ongoing maintenance, a gravel driveway can last up to a century. Even if you haven’t quite thought that far ahead, it’s worth saying that one of the main advantages of using gravel to surface your driveway is that it is easy to make good and replenish on a routine basis. That’s certainly the case when you compare it to tarmac or concrete drives, which are much harder to keep looking good. Any faults, cracks or damage to these usually mean you’re left with a choice between an unsightly driveway or replacing the whole surface completely.

Another advantage of gravel is that it is much less susceptible to frost damage, especially from sudden freeze and thaw cycles, which can result in cracking and splitting or settling in solid surfaces. It’s equally resistant to the effects of heavy rain and hot sun, which can fade a concrete surface, making it look tired and jaded.

Easy Maintenance

Of course, some maintenance will be needed, and this can be a little more labour intensive than tarmac or concrete surfaces. Small stones will tend to bounce out of place – onto paths and borders – with the motion of tyres on the surface. But it’s usually just a case of brushing them back into place every now and then, and occasionally top up the surface with new stones.

Even that doesn’t have to be troublesome if you select a quality contractor and request gravel grids before having your gravel driveway laid. These grids hold the small stones in place, packed tight within each chamber. They’re lightweight, quick to install and environmentally friendly too, as they are made from 100% recycled plastic. Once installed and topped up with gravel, you can’t even see them, so they don’t impact on the visual appearance of your new driveway.

All in all, the gravel driveways Oxted homeowners choose can be as unique as required and tailored to their lifestyles. Why not take a look at the styles and types available in our Gallery?