We are encouraged now to use porous surfaces to help excess water absorb and thus reduce flooding so FB's solution would be good.
Our house is detached and has 7 assorted doors to the garden. 4 are rarely used. The main front door now makes a 5th. That leaves the back door from the kitchen which leads to a concreted terrace we will not bother covering with tiles as it is on the north side and gives access only to the garden and main bird feeders.
The final door is also at the front but to the side and is closest to the garage. It leads into the annex where we have a walk-in pantry and deposit all shopping. It's also where the dog leads and towels are kept and their beds so is the most convenient door and Rasta likes to lie on the extended step sunbathing and watching out for the neighbour's dog so they can play.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Just illustrating that loose gravel is a bad choice for a main entrance whether back or front and that I have the ability to by-pass the problem which is so much cheaper than laying a whole new drive.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I certainly wouldn't lay gravel on top of tarmac. Lethal.
Gravelling an area is the cheapest way of tarting it up, but you'd have to remove the tarmac first. If you use chunkier gravel [no finer than 20mm ] it doesn't travel into the house. Bulk bags from a builder's merchant is quite inexpensive [around £100 depending on type ] and relatively simple to prep for laying. Timber edging fixed with short posts [concreted in for security] levelled, heavy duty membrane down, and spread the gravel. All my paths are done like that. You can add some paving as time and budget allow.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I certainly wouldn't lay gravel on top of tarmac. Lethal.
I agree, my brother broke his ankle very badly when his foot slipped on gravel which had been spread on a tarmac base
I know the OP doesn't want gravel ... but so many people use these threads as a source of information at a later date it's as well to give all the angles as well as respond to the original query. Hope the OP understands the reason.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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Our house is detached and has 7 assorted doors to the garden. 4 are rarely used. The main front door now makes a 5th. That leaves the back door from the kitchen which leads to a concreted terrace we will not bother covering with tiles as it is on the north side and gives access only to the garden and main bird feeders.
The final door is also at the front but to the side and is closest to the garage. It leads into the annex where we have a walk-in pantry and deposit all shopping. It's also where the dog leads and towels are kept and their beds so is the most convenient door and Rasta likes to lie on the extended step sunbathing and watching out for the neighbour's dog so they can play.
Gravelling an area is the cheapest way of tarting it up, but you'd have to remove the tarmac first. If you use chunkier gravel [no finer than 20mm ] it doesn't travel into the house.
Bulk bags from a builder's merchant is quite inexpensive [around £100 depending on type ] and relatively simple to prep for laying. Timber edging fixed with short posts [concreted in for security] levelled, heavy duty membrane down, and spread the gravel.
All my paths are done like that. You can add some paving as time and budget allow.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I know the OP doesn't want gravel ... but so many people use these threads as a source of information at a later date it's as well to give all the angles as well as respond to the original query. Hope the OP understands the reason.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.