If you want, you can use your outdoor space like a patio. But the process of designing an appropriate one may be overwhelming. It may sound you an easy to do the task, but it not in reality. Deciding on the right materials for the patio can be a daunting experience. The options are many such as tile, brick, stone, concrete; resin bonded gravel, and much more. Each material comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Before going ahead with any of these materials, the first thing that you should keep in mind is that your patio needs to look gentle and needs to be hard-wearing. Gravel is the first options that can come to your mind. But, again, different types of graves are available in the market, and they can be laid in multiple ways. It is widely used the material but uses, and types can vary enormously.
Examples
To take an example, soft-looking cost-effective resin driveway that can handle wheelchairs can be designed from blending small-sized gravel with sandy soil and dry cement. The airbase inroads in the US and Germany are made from soil and cement. After the soil was cultivated, water and dry cement were mixed. They were evenly circulated, and the surface was racked smooth. Doing so took over a week to make this road. These roads were similar to soil color, but they were hard without dust.
Benefits of gravel stabilization sheets
- Flexible to use
- No muddy mess
- Prevents potholes
- Perfect for wheelchair users
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Creates high performance natural pebbly surface
Here are different types of gravel patio
Self-binding gravels
Self-binding gravels are fixed. They never move like ordinary loose gravel. They are textured and fine. They include clay with the gravel. They are usually 50 mm in-depth in a hardcore base. They spread evenly. On self-binding gravel, heavy roller-wheels are rolled on it while water is hosted over the roller wheels for solidifying them. Water is used to bring clay on the top surface and seals it.
In general, bicycles or wheelchairs can also be used over self-binding gravel. It does not cause any damage. It looks attractive, and many people love it. But, some people don’t love because walking on the gravel from soil can leave earth particles over it. These dust particles look messy and are hard to remove. Moreover, if you pull weeds, it can break its surface.
Resin-bonded gravel
Resin bonded gravel is a popular option and is not movable. It is fixed with clear resin. The resin bonded gravel can be laid on the slopes and driven on surfaces. They look beautiful and pristine, but for many people, it gives an organic feel. In addition to this, it may be expensive.
Fixed gravel
To veneer a concrete or tarmac area, fixed gravel technique is used. It’s a type of solution, which is sprayed on the concrete followed by rolling on it 2 to 3 thin layers of gravel. The good thing is that you can get different types and colors of gravel. It may seem like loose gravel, but the reality is otherwise. It is completely hard and does not look charming. When this type of gravel is used for a confined space for a vehicle, it can erode the gravel and tarmac or concrete surface. It needs re-doing in every few years, in case of heavy usage.
Thus, they are some of the gravel options you have for your patio. Depending on the need, you can sue any of them.