Enhance Your Curb Appeal with Driveway Chippings
Your driveway is often the first thing people see when they approach your home. A well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing driveway can greatly enhance the curb appeal of your property. One cost-effective and attractive way to upgrade your driveway is by installing driveway chippings. Driveway chippings are small, angular stones that can be used to create a beautiful and durable surface for your driveway. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of driveway chippings and provide a step-by-step guide to their installation.
The Benefits of Driveway Chippings
- Aesthetic Appeal:
Driveway chippings come in a variety of colours and sizes, allowing you to choose a look that complements your home's style. Whether you prefer a classic, rustic appearance or a more modern and sleek design, there are chippings available to match your vision.
Stone chippings can enhance the curb appeal of your home. They come in various colours and can even be used to create decorative patterns, adding an attractive, natural look to your driveway.
- Cost Effective:
While the initial cost may be higher than some other driveway materials, such as asphalt or concrete, the long-term durability and low maintenance requirements can make stone chippings a cost-effective choice.
- Durability:
Chippings are highly durable and can withstand the weight of vehicles without breaking down. They can also resist erosion and are less likely to develop potholes or cracks compared to traditional asphalt or concrete driveways.
20mm stone chippings are typically made of hard, durable materials like granite or limestone. They can withstand the weight of vehicles and the wear and tear of daily use, making them a long-lasting choice for driveways.
- Low Maintenance:
Chippings require minimal maintenance. They don't need to be sealed or resealed, and weeds are less likely to grow through them compared to other driveway materials like gravel. Regular raking, or in some cases topping up with additional chippings will keep your driveway looking fresh.
- Good Drainage:
Chippings provide excellent drainage, preventing water from pooling on the surface. By their nature the natural gaps between the stone chippings allow for excellent water drainage. This can help prevent water buildup and erosion, reducing the risk of puddles and flooding on your driveway.
- Environmently Friendly:
Stone chippings are a natural material, and they can be locally sourced, reducing the environmental impact of transportation. All of Miles Stone's chippings are sourced from sustainable quarries in Southern England. They also allow water to penetrate the soil, which can benefit the local ecosystem.
- Security & Safety:
Stone chippings provide good traction, reducing the risk of slipping, especially in wet or icy conditions. This makes them a safer option for driving, and walking on, and can even add some security to your entranceways.
Edging stones
Its well worth considering using natural stone setts to enhance and transform your driveway to the next level. Using natural stone setts or cobbles for a driveway apron, extended around the borders as edging for the chippings will enhance the overall look. Edging and aprons in this way not only help to contain the chippings within the driveways but are a great way to enhance your project with an a eye catching, stylised finish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Driveway Chippings Installation
- Planning:
Obtain any necessary permits or permissions from local authorities, if required. Ensure that you are aware of all buried services that may be located in the area prior to any excavating works being carried out.
Begin by measuring your driveway's dimensions and calculating the amount of chippings and subbase you'll need. We always work with 50mm depth for the chippings which equates to 14m2 coverage per tonne (1000kg)
- Sub-base Preparation:
To create a stable foundation, clear the area of any existing debris, vegetation, and old surfaces like asphalt or concrete. Excavate the driveway area back to a solid substrate at a depth of around 200-250mm, this will provide a space suitable for the sub-base and stone chippings. This will now allow you to lay a base of hardcore or MOT type 1 stone at around 150mm, compacting it to create a solid sub-base. This step is crucial for the load bearing capacity and long term durability suitable for domestic driveways and vehicles.
- Membrane Installation:
Lay a woven geotextile membrane over the compacted subbase. This fabric not only prevents weed growth, but helps the chippings to stay in situ, and ensures better drainage. This will also assist with any compaction over time that may occur of the chippings into the sub-base, reducing the need to top up the driveway with additional stones.
- Chippings Installation:
There is no need to go to a depth of more than 50mm with any of our chippings. The chippings are solely for decorative purposes which have been specially quarried to ensure durability, strength and their aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Spread a layer of chippings evenly over the membrane to a depth of 50mm. Use a rake to smooth the surface ensuring it's even and level. Tamp the chippings down with a roller or compactor to settle them in place if required.
All of Miles Stones chippings are angular shaped, 14-20mm, from crushed limestones or granites. They are specifically quarried to this size to help prevent migration of the stones within the driveway area. Not only that they won't get stuck in your tyres, your shoes, and even the local cats won’t like them!
- Regular Maintenance:
Keep your driveway chippings looking their best by periodically raking and topping up with more chippings as needed. This will help maintain the even surface and overall curb appeal.
Driveway chippings are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to enhance the visual appeal and durability of their driveways. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can install a beautiful, low-maintenance, and long-lasting chipping driveway that will make your home stand out in the neighborhood. So, transform your driveway into an eye-catching feature of your property and enjoy the benefits of this cost-effective and stylish option.
All of our options are available to view in our extensive display garden and showroom so drop into Miles Stone to have a look at these stone chippings and pick up a sample to help you make that all important decision on your driveway project.
Making dream landscapes possible for over 50 years
https://www.milesstone.co.uk/collections/stone-chippings
https://www.milesstone.co.uk/collections/setts