Had a client run into something similar—seemed easy at first, but daily use really wore things down fast. Maybe consider:
- Setting clear limits on usage frequency.
- Agreeing upfront on maintenance responsibilities.
- Exploring durable paving options (brick or textured concrete?) to handle extra traffic.
Little prep now saves headaches later...
Interesting points, but wouldn't brick or textured concrete drive up costs quite a bit? I'm just wondering if there's a more budget-friendly option that still holds up decently. Has anyone tried gravel or crushed stone for something like this—does it hold up, or am I asking for trouble? Also, how enforceable are usage limits realistically... neighbors being neighbors and all? Seems tricky.
"Has anyone tried gravel or crushed stone for something like this—does it hold up, or am I asking for trouble?"
Gravel can definitely be budget-friendly, but honestly, maintenance can become a headache. It shifts and scatters easily, especially with frequent use. If you do go that route, consider edging or stabilizing grids to keep things tidy... otherwise, you'll be raking constantly.
We had gravel at our last place, and honestly, it started out great—looked clean, neat, and was pretty affordable. But after a while, especially after heavy rains or snow plowing in winter, it became kind of a mess. Like someone else said:
"It shifts and scatters easily, especially with frequent use."
That's exactly what happened to us. We ended up with gravel all over the lawn and bare patches where tires wore it down. Eventually, we tried putting in edging strips, and that helped a bit, but it still needed regular upkeep. If you're okay with spending some weekends raking and leveling, then it's doable. But if you're looking for something lower maintenance, you might wanna consider another option. We ultimately switched to pavers at our new place—cost a bit more upfront but saved us a ton of hassle later on. Just my two cents from experience...
I get what you're saying about gravel being messy, but honestly, I think it depends a lot on how it's installed and maintained. My parents have had gravel for years, and yeah, it shifts a bit, but they put down a good base layer first and compacted it properly. They also top it off every couple of years. It's definitely cheaper than pavers or asphalt, and if you're willing to do some occasional upkeep, it's really not that bad...
