Alternatives other then cement driveway

[gto65goat]

Wondering what the members may have done?
Building a detached garage 24 W x 26 D x 16' tall, behind my home for storing of two cars, work bench, cabinets, etc..
I'm just looking for an alternative for cement leading from my carport to the garage?
I'm thinking of block work, but not sure how they would hold up from the weight of the cars traveling over them.
Suggestions and thoughts appreciated.
Pictures would be extremely helpful.
Thank you,
John

 

[howlingmad]

I've done processed stone and it tracks stone dust in the shop with every motion. It's a pain to keep clean.

 

[1320stang]

Put a pretty solid base down the sod over it?

I can't remember the product's name, there are a few companies that make it, but it's basicaly pavers with knobs sticking up. You backfill it with dirt and then get the grass to grow, you can drive on it and it won't compress the soil. They make it for emergency vehicles to go around public buildings in order not to have concrete out there.

 

[rotus7]

any form of block, whether its cement or brick type pavers will much more expensive than a concrete drive. As for it's sturdiness, it all depends on the foundation it's laid on. With a good solid properly installed base, it'll last a very long time. I've seen cobblestone streets in historic downtown areas that are 100+ years old that are in better shape than most modern paved/concrete streets!

 

[goodfellow]

any form of block, whether its cement or brick type pavers will much more expensive than a concrete drive. As for it's sturdiness, it all depends on the foundation it's laid on. With a good solid properly installed base, it'll last a very long time. I've seen cobblestone streets in historic downtown areas that are 100+ years old that are in better shape than most modern paved/concrete streets!

My old neighbor has a garage set deep behind his house. He used pavers, but spaced them out so that grass could grow between them. It looks very good -- still has that "lawn feeling" but he can move cars between his driveway and the garage without hurting the turf.

 

[1320stang]

My grandparents house had two strips of concrete about 2' wide instead of a full drive.

 

[mpraddict]

Put a pretty solid base down the sod over it?

I can't remember the product's name, there are a few companies that make it, but it's basicaly pavers with knobs sticking up. You backfill it with dirt and then get the grass to grow, you can drive on it and it won't compress the soil. They make it for emergency vehicles to go around public buildings in order not to have concrete out there.

Like a geogrid or geoblock. Besides the visual benefits having more grass, it also helps with stormwater runoff. Very cool stuff, but IIRC the last time I spec'd it many years ago it was very pricey. Here's one company.
http://www.geocheminc.com/geoblock.htm

 

[HOTFR8]

What about Crushed Rock or a Gravel on your drive way ?

 

[kbs2244]

That geoblock seems like an over kill solution.
I have seen this done, but not paid a lot of attention to it. Whole parking lots at churchs in Florida? Lots of traffic, but only once a week. The grass kind of over grew the pavers, so that you almost didn't see them.
It seems like it was as simple as cinder blocks laid on edge in a zee pattern or maybe regular pavers spaced every other place?
I am guessing a good gravel base to provide support while also providing drainage?
I will be watching this thread, as I expect to have the same need. A kind of hidden drivway, for rare use. But needing more support than just sod.

 

[Sundowner]

turfstone pavers are popular where I live.

 

[burger]

EP Henry offers a few solutions

 

[1320stang]

Yeah, I think Geoblock is what I was thinking of. Those EP Henry pieces are cool, the pics convey what I was talking about.

 

[PAToyota]

This is another option if you really don't want to see the paving: http://www.invisiblestructures.com/GP2/grasspave.htm

 

[Blue]

www.streetprint.com

I looked at Street Print before, it seemed like a good choice if you want something besides the standard asphalt driveway.

Basically, they put down the asphalt, and then put a layer on top of the asphalt that makes it look like pavers, or cobblestones, or pretty much anything else you like. The site is better at explaining it than I am.