Rock Driveways

 

One of the easiest types of driveways to have installed is the rock driveway. In addition to being easy to have put in place, rock driveways are also reasonably affordable. While a crushed rock driveway can be easy and affordable, there are some issues with them that homeowners should understand before they opt for one. This article examines some of those issues.

 

As mentioned above, rock driveways are an easy and affordable way to get a driveway installed at a home or business. Crushed rock has been used for centuries for everything from foot paths to parking lots. As a surface material it is a good barrier against both grass and weeds. Some of the reasons that so many people choose rock include its durability, its low maintenance features, affordable cost, and the wide selection of both type of rock and color of rock that are available.

 

One of the issues that we mentioned above that homeowners need to be aware of is the type of rock. While there is a wide array of options in the kinds of rock that you purchase, it should be understood that some types of crushed rock work better than others for driveway purposes. For example, you can certainly buy river rock and have it installed as your driveway but this type of rock is rather large and will certainly cause a bumpy ride for anyone traveling over it.

 

Another issue concerning the type of crushed rock you choose for your new driveway is the ability to be packed down or smoothed out. For example, some types of rock will pack down much better than others, making it a better choice for driveways and roads. Other types of rock are smooth and rounded, and while they will not pack down as well, they are more soft underfoot and may be a better choice for walkways, garden pathways, and even dog runs.

 

Some of the more popular choices for driveways include:

 

Gravel also known as Crushed Gray Rock

 

Gravel is a good choice for many homeowners who want a rock driveway. The stones are irregular in shape and sharper on their edges. This allows the individual stones to bond together well which leads to a nice level packing.

 

There are two common sizes used for driveways. The first is the 0-3/4 inch, called 3/4 minus. This size of gravel has rocks that range from 3/4 inch down to powder. The powder is also called fines and it is used as fill in. The fine often causes dusty conditions until it has been watered down sufficiently.

 

The second size is 1/4 inch-3/4 inch. This size packs down about the same as the above size but it has less dust. The downside is it may take a while longer to completely pack down.

 

 

Cinder Rock

 

Cinder rock is volcanic cinder. This particular type of rock may not be easily available in all areas. It is light, porous, and fairly irregular in shape. All of this allows it to pack down well and it also offers very good drainage. As this rock is traveled over it will pack down even more which will improve the overall smoothness of the driveway but also requires additional layers be applied over time.

 

Common sizes include 0-3/4 inch and 3/4 inch-1 1/4 inch. Colors include red and black. Common uses include driveways, paths and landscaping.

 

 

How Do You Buy Rock?

 

Crushed rock is sold by the cubic yard. A cubic yard is equal to an area 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 3 feet high. One cubic yard is also equal to 27 cubic feet.

 

As a general rule of thumb, you can figure that one cubic yard will cover: 160 square feet at 2 inches deep, 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 80 square feet at 4 inches deep, 54 square feet at 6 inches deep.

 

Crushed rock is most often delivered by dump truck. If your driveway is accessible to the dump truck, most drivers will drop the rock so that it is spread out. This can save you a lot of back breaking work.

 

If you would like to learn more about rock driveways or if you would like to have a professional help you with the details, you can contact a reputable driveway contractor for assistance. This is often a good idea if you are new to this type of work.