Gravel Stabilizer Grids
Gravel is an affordable material option for driveways, walkways, parking lots, and other paved surfaces. However, it typically requires more maintenance than other pavement types since its looseness enables it to gradually move and form gaps and ruts across the surface. While these holes can be filled with new gravel, this reactive response will not ultimately address the issue. The best solution for minimizing or eliminating gravel migration over time is incorporating a quality gravel driveway stabilization grid.
What Are Gravel Stabilizer Grids?
Stabilizer grids are structures placed underneath the top layer of gravel. Due to their cellular nature, they are highly effective at preventing the gravel from migrating across the pavement surface while stabilizing and supporting the layer of loose gravel above.
Benefits of Gravel Driveway Stabilizer Grids
Traditionally, gravel driveways were installed by first leveling the underlying surface and then spreading a layer of gravel across it. However, this installation method posed a number of drawbacks. For example, the loose gravel allowed for gravel erosion and made traversing the surface difficult. Many of these problems can be avoided by incorporating a stabilization system.
Some of the key benefits of gravel driveway grids include:
- They keep gravel in place. By keeping the aggregate confined within the cellular structure, stabilizer grids help form a stronger pavement system. The Structural Number (SN) is used to define the value of the strength/performance of the pavement system. (e.g., a system with 10 inches of unconfined gravel has an SN of 1.40, while a system with confined gravel in 4-inch cells has an SN of 2.80.)
- They reduce the amount of gravel required. Since stabilizer grids keep the gravel in place, the pavement system is less likely to need top-ups over time, reducing the overall amount of gravel needed to build and maintain the paved surface.
- They reduce rutting. Driveways lacking a solid base allow a car to sink into the gravel, creating ruts. Besides being an eyesore, these ruts also make the driveway difficult to drive on.
- They allow for the formation of porous or non-porous surfaces. Stabilizer grids can be filled with clean stone free from fines or crushed stone that contains fines. The former results in a porous surface, while the latter results in a non-porous surface. Porous gravel surfaces are beneficial for the environment since they allow rain to drain rather than pooling or flowing across the surface.
- They make it easier to create compliant pavement surfaces. Stabilization grids are critical to forming pavement systems that are SUDS compliant (i.e., have a sustainable drainage system).
- They are nearly invisible but have a noticeable effect. While stabilization grids are rarely seen since they are covered by a layer of gravel, the effect they have on a gravel pavement system is apparent to all who traverse across the surface.
Gravel Stabilizer Applications
Gravel stabilizers address many of the problems associated with gravel pavement systems, which can decrease the overall amount of time and money spent on installing and maintaining them. Typical outdoor projects that use gravel driveway bases include:
- Access Roads
- Bicycle Trails
- Camping Sites
- Driveways
- Golf Cart Paths
- Landscaping
- Parking Lots
- Pathways
- Patios
- Playgrounds
- Public Parks
- Sports Grounds
Partner With Cell-Tek for Your Gravel Stabilizer Grid Needs
Due to the comparative eco-friendliness of gravel, the material has surged in popularity as a choice for pavement construction projects. While it carries some challenges, stabilization grids largely resolve them. As a result, gravel driveways and other paved surfaces have become a more affordable and manageable option.
Looking for stabilizer grids for your next construction project? Cell-Tek has got you covered! We provide geocell solutions that can serve as a foundation for any pavement type, including gravel. To learn more about our products, contact us or request a quote today.
