Needing help with driveway material

[svtrichie]

Just added my new metal building and looking for ideas for the drive that will attach to my existing circular driveway which is asphalt. The lean to has abc for its base. Kind of thinking either asphalt or crushed asphalt. But looking for more cost effective options

 

[Jeff C]

I would go with either concrete or asphalt. Gravel/crushed products will stick to your tires and get tracked into your new building. That’s the voice of experience talking.

 

[djbmw]

Asphalt is your cost effective solution... and will tie into your existing driveway well.

Crushed asphalt/millings only turns out well if you have a way to lay it down uniform AND compact it with a vibratory roller. But,... if you dont own that equipment then you might as well just pay a company to grade and put down a base + asphalt.

Edit: its hard to tell from the images BUT, if the size is small enough, and you can somehow find dirt cheap concrete,.. i suppose you could dig down 3-4", erect your own forms, wire some mesh or rebar, and pour your own concrete for perhaps a comparable price.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I have used crushed limestone for walking paths around our house at a depth of 6”. While I haven’t used a vibratory compactor, just a long 2 x 8 with handles to manually compact it. Once it has been rained on a few times it becomes as hard as pavement and doesn’t collect in your shoes. Would make a good base for concrete at a later date.

 

[andyvh1959]

Crushed compacted limestone does work and eventually becomes hard like concrete. Grade the soil down, compact that, then spread the limestone chips, perhaps even wet it as you compact it. But I'd only do it with a powered compactor, and with edge forms to get a consistent compacted edge for the lawn or soil to come up against. If not compacted it will eventually allow weeds to take hold, damn things can seem to grow anywhere.

 

[svtrichie]

So after looking at it all weekend trying to figure things out and a few estimates of 5500 or more for asphalt, I’m thinking of just building up the soil and doing a grass entrance. Would only have to come out roughly 5ft from the edge of building.

I put my lift ramps there for reference

 

[HoosierBuddy]

You've decided to do what I was going to recommend. They make grass driveway grid just for this purpose.

Grass Driveways: Everything You Need To Know About Grass Pavers for Driveways

Grass driveways and pavers in general are growing in popularity. Increase drainage and erosion control while maintaining a low impact on the environment.

www.truegridpaver.com

 

[djbmw]

You've decided to do what I was going to recommend. They make grass driveway grid just for this purpose.

Grass Driveways: Everything You Need To Know About Grass Pavers for Driveways

Grass driveways and pavers in general are growing in popularity. Increase drainage and erosion control while maintaining a low impact on the environment.

www.truegridpaver.com

How does that work with heavier machinery/equipment?
My tractor tires sink into wet grass... as does my dual axle trailer when loaded.

 

[Hank11]

You've decided to do what I was going to recommend. They make grass driveway grid just for this purpose.

Grass Driveways: Everything You Need To Know About Grass Pavers for Driveways

Grass driveways and pavers in general are growing in popularity. Increase drainage and erosion control while maintaining a low impact on the environment.

www.truegridpaver.com

I have a couple of small paths made with that stuff and they work great.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

How does that work with heavier machinery/equipment?
My tractor tires sink into wet grass... as does my dual axle trailer when loaded.

The grid is what you drive on. You just have grass growing up through it. How much load it can take before it gives? A lot more than wet grass. Enough to hold a fully loaded 7000 pound trailer? No idea. You'd have to research it more.

 

[andyvh1959]

Like any load bearing surface, whether its concrete, asphalt, packed limestone, pavers, even grass grid, its all about the soil and substrate prep and drainage. If that is solid, compacted, it can take the load without sinking. For access to a shop with limited driving surface the grass grid system is a reasonable do it yourself option.

 

[kmcc927]

Also consider a washed 3/4’ limestone. No fines to track and grass will eventually grow through it (if wanted). I’d use 6” with fabric below it.