Compared to the cost of bricks, pavers or flagstone, gravel can be a relatively low-cost and simple way to add walkways to a residential yard. A gravel path looks relatively rustic, and works best for light to moderate foot traffic rather than heavy usage; gravel is not a good choice on a steep slope (unless the pathway is terraced to hold the gravel in place) or if snow has to shoveled off it in winter
Typical costs:
Do-it-yourself materials to install a gravel path can cost $100-$1,000 or more depending on the gravel chosen (for example, pea gravel is much less expensive than crushed granite); the length, width and depth of the path; and whether edging is done with plastic, metal, wood, natural stone, brick, concrete or pavers.
Hiring a handyman, gardener or landscape designer to install a gravel walkway can cost $300-$2,000 or more, depending on materials, local rates and the complexity of the layout.
What should be included:
Installing a gravel path typically includes laying out the path's shape; cutting out any sod or other landscaping; digging a flat, shallow trench (typically about 4"-6" deep), and then compacting the soil; adding and compacting a base layer of gravel or sand (about 2"-2.5" deep); laying down geotextile/landscaping fabric (to stop weeds from growing through); installing the border or edging; and filling the path with surface gravel (typically better quality and more decorative than the base gravel); and raking to smooth out the top gravel, making sure none of the landscape fabric shows through. Northwest Garden News provides an overview of the installation process[1] .
This Old House explains how to lay a gravel path[2] , estimating that the project takes 2-4 hours; is of easy to moderate difficulty; and costs about $300-$400 for a 100'-long and 2.5'-3'-wide path. The Family Handyman magazine describes possible border or edging materials[3] .
Shopping for a gravel path:
Gravel, edging, landscape cloth and other supplies are available from home improvement centers like Home Depot[4] or Lowe's[5] ; from landscape and material supply companies; from sand and gravel dealers; and direct from the gravel plant/pit.
To estimate the cubic yards required for a specific project, multiply length by width by depth and then divide by 27. For example, to lay a 3" bed of gravel on a path 3' wide and 100' long, convert the 3" to 0.25'; multiply 0.25 x 3 x 100 and divide by 27, which equals 2.78 cubic yards. Many gravel companies provide an online calculator to estimate the amounts needed. For example, Summit Gravel in Blasdell, NY has a simple calculator[6] for estimating amounts needed to cover rectangular, triangular or round areas.
10 Quick and Inexpensive Home Makeover Projects To Do While At Home You may not be able to host the large family gathering for the holidays, but there are still many ways to pick up items curbside to spruce up your indoor space for your everyday enjoyment and to bring a more festive spirit. || Posted December 30 2020
10 Key Ways to Prepare for Extreme Snow Forecasters are predicting a true nor'easter will hit the eastern and central states with rain, thunderstorms, ice, snow and high winds over the Thanksgiving weekend. It's crucial to plan ahead, before bad weather hits. || Posted November 26 2013
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