Surface for parking area
Discussion
Evening,
Live in the centre of town and have a small parking area behind our house. I’d say c8m x c5m, it’s enough for 2 cars.
Currently it is some sort of bizarre small pea shingle on a base, and whilst tolerable in the summer as soon as it turns a bit damp a few orangey puddles develop. Not helped by what is a fairly tight area to get in resulting in a few manoeuvres to park straight. We top and tail the cars so drivers doors are accessible from the middle of the area. Washing cars also causes the same mess.
It’s been like it for the 4 years we have lived here, and I’ve decided we need to bite the bullet and have it resurfaced. I view surfacing a driveway as a bit of a minefield, probably tainted by horror stories of a bit of tarmac left over from a job down the road…
In terms of materials to cover the driveway what would be most resilient, not bothered about looks as it’s down a service lane, also what sort of depth would need digging out for a couple of large cars to park on? And rough ballpark for all in job, remove old, and replace with new? I want something that will last.
Many thanks
Live in the centre of town and have a small parking area behind our house. I’d say c8m x c5m, it’s enough for 2 cars.
Currently it is some sort of bizarre small pea shingle on a base, and whilst tolerable in the summer as soon as it turns a bit damp a few orangey puddles develop. Not helped by what is a fairly tight area to get in resulting in a few manoeuvres to park straight. We top and tail the cars so drivers doors are accessible from the middle of the area. Washing cars also causes the same mess.
It’s been like it for the 4 years we have lived here, and I’ve decided we need to bite the bullet and have it resurfaced. I view surfacing a driveway as a bit of a minefield, probably tainted by horror stories of a bit of tarmac left over from a job down the road…
In terms of materials to cover the driveway what would be most resilient, not bothered about looks as it’s down a service lane, also what sort of depth would need digging out for a couple of large cars to park on? And rough ballpark for all in job, remove old, and replace with new? I want something that will last.
Many thanks
Cheapest would be dig out 6-8" (assuming that gets you to solid subsoil), just fill with type 1 in 2-3 layers and roll well with a vibrating roller. It will eventually grow weeds, will look a bit industrial and your shoes will get mucky in wet weather. For a domestic parking area like that pavers of some kind is a reasonable compromise between cost, appearance and functionality and will keep your shoes cleaner.
t, then just go for concrete as others have suggestedhidetheelephants said:
Cheapest would be dig out 6-8" (assuming that gets you to solid subsoil), just fill with type 1 in 2-3 layers and roll well with a vibrating roller.
Or for not much more effort, Type 3 , geotextile, gravel mats, and a fresh gravel layer. Much better draining and with the mats you avoid many of the issues associated with gravel shifting.
Edited by LooneyTunes on Monday 10th November 22:08
dave123456 said:
hidetheelephants said:
If durability is most important there's not much to touch concrete, a pad that size can be done with a single mixer load.
What sort of £ would it work out?Failing that then maybe about £2k ish
48k said:
Have you checked the planning situation to see if there are any issues with you replacing a permeable surface with a non permeable surface?
In a similar vein, if you are constructing a non-permeable surface, make sure the rainwater has somewhere to drain to, and that it falls (slopes) in that direction.Sylvias_Father said:
48k said:
Have you checked the planning situation to see if there are any issues with you replacing a permeable surface with a non permeable surface?
In a similar vein, if you are constructing a non-permeable surface, make sure the rainwater has somewhere to drain to, and that it falls (slopes) in that direction.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff