MGH PA
Gold Member
We finished building our home this winter (we're moved in and working on various finish items). However, the driveway will need finished this spring/summer so I want to start planning out my options.
The driveway was built almost a year ago. We had a significant amount of shale brought in (went down about 12" below grade and built up). It's held up to the heavy truck traffic well, but it needs a final grade and then finish material or even a mid layer (depends on what everyone recommends).
The driveway grade is gentle, and fairly flat. No pipes were placed based on the recommendation of the excavator since it's not really steep or against a hillside.
Here's what it looked liked when it was being built:
Here is a shot of it after most of the construction was finished (excuse the flamingo...it was a joke).
I'm looking to do this right, and do it with the idea that I want to be able maintain a great looking road with some annual maintenance and that's it. I have access to a 40hp tractor on the property (my dads) and a rear blade/loader for maintenance, but may purchase a box blade.
I hear mixed reviews on everything. Some people swear by crusher run, some say to use asphalt left overs, crushed concrete, etc. I do know I have no plans for 2b even though that's what everyone around here uses. It's like marbles and just rolls off the sides. It seems to always need to be top coated as well every year or so and I want to avoid that on a 1/2 mile driveway.
So starting with my compacted shale base, what is everyone's recommendations from here out?
Thanks.
The driveway was built almost a year ago. We had a significant amount of shale brought in (went down about 12" below grade and built up). It's held up to the heavy truck traffic well, but it needs a final grade and then finish material or even a mid layer (depends on what everyone recommends).
The driveway grade is gentle, and fairly flat. No pipes were placed based on the recommendation of the excavator since it's not really steep or against a hillside.
Here's what it looked liked when it was being built:
Here is a shot of it after most of the construction was finished (excuse the flamingo...it was a joke).
I'm looking to do this right, and do it with the idea that I want to be able maintain a great looking road with some annual maintenance and that's it. I have access to a 40hp tractor on the property (my dads) and a rear blade/loader for maintenance, but may purchase a box blade.
I hear mixed reviews on everything. Some people swear by crusher run, some say to use asphalt left overs, crushed concrete, etc. I do know I have no plans for 2b even though that's what everyone around here uses. It's like marbles and just rolls off the sides. It seems to always need to be top coated as well every year or so and I want to avoid that on a 1/2 mile driveway.
So starting with my compacted shale base, what is everyone's recommendations from here out?
Thanks.