We are increasingly expanding our living spaces to include more outdoor space. As a result, there is a lot of adornment to make it as pleasant and welcoming as possible. The usage of gravel on our patios demonstrated this, as it boosted the aesthetic value of our patios.
The crunch of these circular stone shards underfoot is akin to that of potato chips. You can’t be in a bad mood when you’re roaming about on your graveled patio; it takes your mind off your problems.
Gravel’s natural appearance and range of colors enhance the charm of your patio. They also keep your outdoor environment mud-free. However, before you fall in love with them, let me enlighten you on the gravel patio pros and cons.
Contents
- Gravel Patio Pros and Cons
- Pros of Gravel Patios
- 1. Easy to find and to install
- 2. Permeable and eco friendly
- 3. Easy to repair
- 4. Customizable
- Cons of Gravel Patios
- 1. ‘’travels’’
- 2. It sinks into the soil
- 3. Furniture damage and instability
- 4. Difficult for snow removal
- What size gravel is best for patio
- How deep should a gravel patio be
- Can you walk on pea gravel barefoot?
- Author
Gravel Patio Pros and Cons
Pros of Gravel Patios
1. Easy to find and to install
If you enjoy the thought of putting gravel on your patio, this is good news. They are simply accessible from a local retailer supplier to a nearby hardware store.
You don’t need the assistance of a professional to install your bag of gravel. To dig out a few inches on your patio, all you need is a shovel. The gravel should be laid first, and then it should be leveled. Make sure the gravel is laid on a somewhat flat surface.
2. Permeable and eco friendly
They are all-natural and provide excellent drainage. During the rainy season, you won’t have to worry about pools of water on patio making you hop, skip, and jump around. Pooling may occur if you have heavy clay soil beneath your gravel.
Don’t worry since you can add gravel to level it or slightly slant it. If neither option works, you can use gravel stones that can absorb up water. Pea patio gravel, for example, or decomposed granite. Gravel also helps to keep soil from eroding.
3. Easy to repair
The gravel is a snap to clean. There’s no need to work up a sweat if you have a gravel patio. The only tool required is a leaf blower. Gravel is also difficult to disintegrate. It saves you money and time, allowing you to do and enjoy other things you prefer.
4. Customizable
If you decide to put gravel on your patio, you may be creative because it provides a lot of flexibility when it comes to implementing your design. The natural color palettes will allow you to mix and match with different materials such as wood and stones.
Its varied sizes will help you to achieve the most aesthetically attractive appearance. You may also use it to fill pavers or let them stand on their own. Remember that there are no restrictions when it comes to gravel.
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Cons of Gravel Patios
1. ‘’travels’’
The gravel on your patio migrates a lot. They are easily moved, which is their greatest disadvantage. These colored stones will be found anywhere; in the garden, the house, or wherever you go.
This problem will be solved by establishing a solid foundation. They will not be transported about your patio if you edge it.
2. It sinks into the soil
Even though they do not decompose, they are easily absorbed by the soil. The more people that walk on your patio, the more the earth eats away at your precious stones.
As a result, you will need to replenish the gravel every year. If the soil under your patio is porous, you’re in for a lot of trouble.
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3. Furniture damage and instability
The beauty of a patio cannot be fully realized without furnishings. However, if the furniture is placed on gravel, it will deteriorate over time.
Due to the weight of the furniture, the graveled surface will be uneven. Fortunately, there are safeguards you may take to avoid this. You can either build a deep base to boost stability or just swap to outdoor lounge chairs.
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4. Difficult for snow removal
Despite the low upkeep of gravel, snow will make maintaining your gravel a living hell.
If you don’t have any experience keeping your gravel during the winter, you’ll wind up removing the gravel along with the snow. As a result, the cost of replacing the lost gravel will be high.
Worry less since you can solve this by cleaning your gravel in layers, or by removing the denser snow with a shovel and then blowing it away with a leaf blower. The simplest approach to melt snow is to use a thaw blanket.
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What size gravel is best for patio
A gravel up to 16mm in size is generally the most suitable for a garden path. 20mm slate is also useful to help form a flat, comfortable surface for walking on.
Once you’re satisfied with the shape and route, it’s time to dig. Aim for a depth of approximately 4 inches
How deep should a gravel patio be
A sturdy gravel patio should be at least 4″ thick, but to avoid having to step up onto the patio, excavate before starting the patio.
To begin, mark the border location and dig a trench 12″ wide and about 2″ deep to serve as the foundation for the slate border
Can you walk on pea gravel barefoot?
Pea gravel used for a walkway provides a softer surface to walk on compared with using a larger type of gravel.
Walking on pea gravel barefoot is more bearable than walking on larger rocks which sometimes have jagged edges that can stab at feet.
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The gravel patio is visually appealing. However, the decision to use it or not is entirely yours.
Nevertheless, before installing a bag in your outdoor space, you should be aware of its advantages and disadvantages. They will look great on your patio as long as you are willing to take on the challenges they present.
Investing in gravel without first understanding the gravel patio pros and cons is a bad idea. Hopefully, this post has instilled confidence in your decision.
