When NOT To Use Gravel Grid

 As a manufacturer of rock networks, you might expect us to shout from the rooftops about how rock matrices can do anything, from surfacing your Gravel Grids to creating a runway for your private jet (kindly don't do this). The truth is, they're great bits of kit but they're not generally the right decision for everybody.

For the typical domestic driveway or vehicle leave, rock frameworks are a basic and effective surfacing option which gives you durability and permeability at a lower cost for each square meter installed than other surfacing options like tarmac and concrete.

There are, notwithstanding, a couple of situations where rock networks aren't the right fit for yourself as well as your project.

Sometimes, with the absurd burden capacities you see with plastic rock matrices, it's difficult to forget that they are still plastic and plastic acts similarly plastic generally does. Do you have any idea why you see organizations boasting about their heap capacity when the frameworks are full? It's since it's not the plastic doing the weight bearing - it's the stone that does the truly difficult work. The networks are there to lock the stone together and stop it moving around. That's where the strength comes from, not the plastic. Thickening the plastic past a certain point won't make them any stronger.

So with this as a top priority, there are a couple of situations where rock lattices are not appropriate for the gig:

1. You want to install them on an exceptionally steep slope (more than 25%).

Realistically, you're never going to beat gravity with an open-cell lattice of any type. The stones will carry out of the matrices, down the slope and away goes the long stretches of work (and £££) you've invested into the project. This sort of slope is better suited to something a little more "conventional, for example, sap bound rock, tarmac or even concrete.

2. You drive a tank (or a tracked vehicle with huge torque)

In the event that you're one of the fortunate not many to claim a tank (if it's not too much trouble, call me), rock frameworks certainly aren't really for you. This is one of those situations where, the lattices will hold up for some time, but ultimately you will be hauling stones horizontally across the plastic cross section. Indeed, even hard core networks are meant for vertical burdens and hub stacks that are upheld by the supporting of the retained stone within. Drag granite or flint across concrete and, surprisingly, that would leave an imprint!

The equivalent goes for on the off chance that you have a driveway with limited turning space. These sorts of spaces drive you to "dry wheel steer". Crushing rock across any plastic matrix like this would resemble putting peanuts in a blender, except a lot less tasty.

3. You want no stone movement at all.

Networks hold the stone set up that is within them which thus makes the surface layer more friction-bound too. What they won't do, in any case, is stop movement of stone altogether. There will be a few movement and a few networks will turn out to be partially uncovered in high traffic regions. It's Driveway Grids.

In the event that you can reside with the information that sometimes you should go over these areas and push the stones once again into the right spot, then lattices will most likely lock in around 98% of the stone you put into them.

But in the event that the 2% of the stone moving around bothers you, you will likely be better off tar holding the rock together. Then you get the permeability also at least!

4. You want something more "modern" and less "rustic".

Rock driveways are perfect for certain mortgage holders' style decisions. They're rustic, simple to maintain and suitable for most metropolitan or country homes. But assuming you favor something a little more "spotless and modern" looking, as suits your taste, then no amount of reinforcement with matrices will transform that natural driveway into what you want. There are a lot of stylish granites or other decorative rock to browse that will work with most homes but your home might just not suit this sort of surfacing option esthetically. Perhaps a new, very much maintained tarmac surface (with adequate waste) or sap reinforced surfacing is a better decision for you. That depends on you!

5. You can't install a sub base or don't have the budget for it.

Whilst rock networks can be installed over an existing surface, any structure project is just on par with what its foundation. You can put our lattices on top of existing tarmac or concrete (gave the openings are topped off appropriately) but our standard counsel is to ensure there's an adequate sub base beneath that's level and all around compacted. If you want to take advantage of manufacturer warranties, it would be a good idea to document the installation of this too so you can demonstrate what's supporting your rock matrix installation.

In the event that this sounds like too much work, or you don't have the budget, it's presumably not a good idea to lay a rock network driveway with any lattice. Not except if you anticipate never rolling over it.

Any organization suggesting you reveal it straight onto soil (even with a film beneath) is setting your project up to fall flat. Wet soil doesn't hold its shape and will subvert your surface, resulting in you supplanting it after a couple of seasons. This is true of tarmac, concrete and sap reinforced surfaces also.

Things being what they are, are rock matrices a good idea?

Generally speaking, rock lattices are a sustainable, penetrable surfacing decision that's perfect for virtually any driveway or vehicle leaving project.