Gravel Driveways Dublin and Wicklow

Gravel Driveway
Gravel Driveway

Introduction To Gravel Driveways

We at landscaping.ie have created countless driveways over the past 30 years. From cobblelocks, and resinbonds to paved, we now only use gravel. The main reason is that gravel has always created the best results and feedback from our clients. Out of all our driveway projects, gravel has always provided us with the most visually pleasing projects.

Watch our video here to see some of our best gravel driveway projects

There are many different gravels to choose from each giving it’s own distinctive character complementing the front of any property. Gravel is the most eco-friendly of all the options, with Local Councils actively promoting it. It’s prized for it’s porosity & reduction of run-off into an already overwhelmed infrastructure.

The introduction of gravel core Matting is another reason we moved solely to gravel. Matting reduces run-off, holds gravel in place, is very steady underfoot with ridging from car tyres significantly reduced.
Designing a successful space is made so much easier using gravel. Gravel contrasts with other materials, creating definition. This definition can be emphasized with the creation of surrounding beds, footpaths & aprons. The aprons are important as they act as a border between driveway & footpath. The creation of planting beds on either side of the front door, under windows is a great idea. The planting softens a house making it more inviting.

Our favorite palette of materials to use are tumbled granite cobbles, granite slabs, granite curbs and bull nosed granite slabs for steps. On occasion, we also use limestone & Indian sandstone. Ballylusk is our recommended gravel. Ballylusk is beige in colour, which instantly adds warmth to a space. It’s also angular and self compacting. We only use the 14mm size, as any smaller can get caught in car tires.

Why is a gravel driveway the best option

It’s eco-friendly. It’s porous and just looks the best. It always complements the front of any property. It’s understated and acts as a foil to a house. Other options can be sometimes too eye-catching, taking the limelight. The texture of the stone looks great. Paths, surrounding beds & aprons using cobble/slabs/curbs never disappoint.

How can a gravel driveway add value to your house?

The front driveway is soo important. It’s what sets off your property. We always use soft beige tones which are easy on the eye, creating instant warmth. Planting beds on each side of the main door/under windows is a great idea. It’s been estimated that a good driveway design can add as much as 10% to a property.

How long to build

Obviously, this depends on size and driveway design. Most of our projects take between 1-2 weeks to complete.

How much does it cost?

Cost depends on size and design elements within. Compared to other solutions gravel is the the cheapest option. Our driveways generally come in between 6-14k.

Do you recommend planting?

Yes absolutely, hedges especially. Hedging creates the all-important room effect. Hedges also provide privacy, which is so important. The chosen species should be evergreen & capable of being pruned tightly

What about seating

If space allows, an area for seating is a great idea. We have included seating areas in many of our projects. These areas are a further way of adding character. 

Wheelie bins

We have been custom-building wheelie bin screens for many years now. Wheelie bins are such an eyesore & if not screened can ruin the look of a good driveway project. Hedging can also be used here.

Front-of-house storage solutions

Recently we have seen an increase in customers interested in storage solutions out front. This can range from small secure sheds and bike containers. We have a range of design solutions. Also, we can custom build to your dimensions/colors etc.

Maintenance

Investing in a blower is recommended for clearing leaves/debris. There is very little maintenance required apart from the odd raking/spraying herbicide and top-up every 3-4 years to re-vitalize.

Gravel driveway ideas and inspiration

Gravel Driveway Project In Monkstown, Dublin

This contract was in Monkstown. The house had a lovely cottage style to it, but the driveway was made up of old concrete which really took away from the house and did not complement it at all. The entrance was very tight with two sturdy pillars and a low wall beyond. There was a beautiful old Hawthorne, scraggy planting below, and mixed hedge along the right boundary. Boulders were used to create the raised meandering edge.

I sat down with the clients to understand their requirements. They wanted enough room for two cars, screening for wheelie bins, widening of the entrance, removal of Hawthorne and all existing planting, central path to front door & garden lighting. The rest was left to me.

I created a design that included a wheelie bin screen, an extension of opening by cutting a section of wall and moving existing pillar, two paths, a raised edge using silver granite curbs, and planting in front of the right-hand side of the house to soften & installation of ship lap fence to the righthand boundary. The materials used were 200x100x50mm tumbled silver cobbles, 1000x200x100 granite curbs, 600x600mm & 600x300mm brush hammered silver granite slabs & gravel core matting system. 14mm Ballylusk gravel was used to finish.

Planting included: Japanese maples, Astilbe spp, Nandine domestica, Skimmia japonica, Carex ‘Evergold’, Heuchera ‘purple Palace’, Diosma ‘Sunset’. Hedging used was specimen Portugeuse laurels planted densely to give instant impact. We supplied 2 tall twisted ceramic planters planted with Buxus balls which framed the front door and really finished the look.

The clients were delighted with the results and posted the following review:

We hired Landscaping.ie to work on our garden post house renovation. Very professional from the outset providing a clear plan and estimate. Always reliable working hard and completing the project on time. Good communication and consultation throughout with any changes to design and costs. Result was a transformed front garden that we couldn’t be happier with. Happy to recommend.

Gravel Driveway Project in Leopardstown, Dublin

On arrival the builder was still renovating, and the driveway was full of builder’s materials. I surveyed the site as best I could and sat with the client. She had seen my work online and gave me creative control on the project. The only requirement was to include room for parking of two cars. All falls were towards the house. I asked at this stage for the builder to include a raised bed in front of the house to soften it the design.

The design I created included: Raised surrounding beds created with silver granite curbs, central meandering path with enough room for parking on either side, Laurel ‘Genolla’hedge, cladding to disguise neighbouring wheelie bins, gravel core matting system finished with 14mm Ballylusk gravel, ACO drains to remove excess water run-off.

This driveway was constructed in record time and went well. The client was delighted with the results and posted the following review:

Kevin just completed work on our front garden/driveway and we are absolutely delighted with the final result. From the initial design consultation, Kevin worked with our budget to come up with a plan that worked with the space and one that complimented the house overall. He particularly advised us on the type of hedge/ planting that would work best to give us the look we wanted. Would highly recommend him, his work is of the the highest standard.

 

Gravel Driveway Project in Killiney, Dublin

On arriving, this driveway was in a state of disrepair. It was a fine large area with a beautiful weeping willow by the entrance. The existing planting was overgrown, the surroundings were uneven and broken in places. The large step under the alcove was made up of discolored Indian sandstone laid upside down. I have seen this method before & never been impressed. To the right of the house was an unsightly block wall with a concreted area going back to a second door.

I sat down with the clients and discussed their requirements. I then surveyed the area & took photos. The design I created included a large cobble apron, double cobble surround with raised edge, a new step under the alcove finished with yellow limestone, beds bordering the front of the house, enclosure of area to the right for wheelie bins, etc, cladding of ugly wall with 2×1” latts. Materials used were 200x100x50mm with 200x100x100mm tumbled oatmeal granite cobbles, the larger for a raised edge, creating definition in the space, 600x300mm yellow limestone slabs & planed pressure treated Scandinavian Spruce

The whole driveway was relatively level, so no falls were required. We used the excellent gravel core matting system to keep the gravel in place and steady underfoot. The finishing gravel surface used was 14mm Ballylusk.

The planting consisted of shade-loving plants under the willow including Sarcoccas, Skimmias, Taxus bacatta, Phormiums, Pachysandras, Pittosporums & Carex ‘Evergold’. Large specimens of Portuguese laurels were used to create a hedge behind. The planting bordering the house consisted of Buxus hedging accented with Buxus cones. Finally, Trachleospernums were used to face the cladding and produce scent. Low-voltage Garden lighting was installed & strategically placed throughout.

The clients were delighted with the outcome and kindly posted the following on Google Review:

We really enjoyed working with Kevin for the landscaping project for our house – and would highly recommend him for his expertise, experience and first-class service – he is great to deal with and allowed us develop ideas together – we are very happy with the results. Thanks for everything Kevin.

Gravel Driveway Project Rathfarnham, Dublin

This existing driveway was made up of discolored concrete paviours with falls towards the house. The concrete paviours gave a real industrial look and did not compliment this beautiful house at all. The surrounding beds and hedges were in disrepair and needed replacing. The run-off from the driveway had flooded the garage on numerous occasions & needed fixing.

After sitting down with the clients, I came up with a design that included, a meandering path incorporating an existing man-hole, raised beds on either side of the front door with a new step, ACO drains to remove excess water, double cobble surround, wheelie bin screen & new laurel ‘Genolla’ hedge.

The gravel core matting system was used throughout. The matting would hold gravel in place, giving a steady surface underfoot, reducing ridging of tires, and slowing the speed of water run-off towards the house. We used 14mm Ballylusk gravel to finish.

The clients were very happy with the result and posted the following review.

Kevin’s professionalism, attention to detail ,meticulous approach and creativity transformed a drab driveway into a work of art that everyone can be proud of. We would Highly recommend Kevin

Gravel Driveway Project Mount Merrion, Dublin

I was completing a driveway in the area when this client complimented my work and asked for a design/quote on his own house. I immediately went to survey his project. On arrival, I was blown away by the beauty of this house. The driveway was old tarmac covered in moss; it completely took away from the house. Beautiful old granite curbs made up a surrounding raised bed. Photinia ‘Red Robin’ made up the hedging of each side. The beds on either side of the entrance housed Ligustrum Lollipops with Buxus hedging in front.

I sat down with the clients to understand their requirements. They wanted a new Ballylusk driveway like the job I was on, including the gravel core matting system, garden lighting, solution to flooding coming from the outside path, and new planting where required. I surveyed the site and took photos. The design I created was very simple, a large rectangular driveway, re-using existing granite curbs. Planting beds in front of the house, a paved area in front of the porch with ACO drains connected to the existing outlet to take care of run-off from outside street, large apron with double cobble edge defining the whole space created using 200x100x50mm tumbled silver granite cobbles. 14mm Ballylusk gravel and gravel core matting would be used to finish. The planting included more Photinias to fill gaps, and specimen Buxus cones with Buxus hedging in front. Low-voltage garden lighting was strategically placed throughout the planted beds.

The clients were delighted with the results and posted the following review:

When I asked Kevin to re-design my front garden/driveway I had no idea how he would completely transform it with the added bonus of enhancing the appearance of my house. He has made the whole area look bigger and brighter and it will be easy to maintain into the future. Kevin came up with the original design but what I really appreciated about working with him is that he was not rigid with his ideas. He was always willing to listen to suggestions and tweaks from my end and incorporate them as the work progressed.

It is clear Kevin takes great pride in his work and is hands-on every step of the way. Despite some horrible wet and cold conditions, Kevin and his assistant Ian continued to work doggedly from early morning until it was dark. When the job was complete the whole area was left in immaculate condition. I would not describe myself as any sort of gardener but I know what plants I don’t like. Kevin took the time with me at the garden centre to explain how different plants would enhance the garden while at the same time taking on board my personal likes and dislikes. Because of this level of collaboration, it is Kevin’s design but it is very much my garden.

Gravel Driveway Project Cabinteely, Dublin

This was a beautiful house. The existing pea gravel was in bad shape. There was a small Tegula paved apron that stopped before an unsightly rusted man-hole. The Escallonia hedge was completely overgrown and needed hard pruning. There were ground-level beds in front of the house with two sets of steps finished in Tegula paviours leading up to the two front doors. To say the driveway was letting this house down was an understatement.

I discussed the requirements and budget with the client. The design I came up with included an extended apron to include an existing man-hole which we would disguise using a recessed cover, raised beds below the pruned hedge & in front of the house capped with Oatmeal granite, bull-nosed steps leading up to front doors, Shed and bin screen tucked away in left-hand corner.

 provided samples of different gravels & it was decided to proceed with Wexford beach pebble. This is one of the most beautiful gravels out there and is quarried in Kilmore Quay, Wexford. The gravel is warm in character with beautiful coloured hues. It is available in various sizes from 10mm up to 40mm which I will play with in the future.

After the raised beds were filled with topsoil we planted with Bay laurel lollipops, Lavander ‘Hidcote’ & Hydrangea spp. A Buxus hedge was planted in front. The job went well & was a real success, so much so it has generated a lot of repeat business since its inception. 

The client was delighted with the results and posted the following review:

Kevin provided a first-class service all round, from design to completion. He installed a pebble driveway and completely landscaped our front garden. The work was on budget and on time and finished to an extremely high standard. And Kevin was a pleasure to deal with. I would have no hesitation in recommending Kevin for all outdoor construction projects.

Gravel Driveway Project Blackrock, Dublin

During the initial site visit, I was welcomed by a garden that needed a lot of work. The house was beautiful, but the driveway was doing it no favors. It was a concrete driveway with a raised lawn, the edge of which was made up of unsightly red edging stones. The concrete was different colours enhancing the bad look. To the left just beyond the entrance was a man-hole. There was a nice Grisellinia hedge to the left and along the front boundary, with nothing worth speaking about along the left boundary.

After sitting down with the clients, we came up with the following: Enough space for two cars, a meandering path, a seating area to enjoy the evening sun, planting bordering house, disguising man-hole, core gravel matting, removal of lawn & plants along the right boundary.

I surveyed the site, took photos & created a design that included all of the above. The materials I used were 200x100x50mm & 200x100x100mm tumbled silver cobble the larger for a raised edge, brush hammered silver granite slabs. Gravel core matting was used throughout & finished with 14mm Ballylusk.

The planting comprised Portuguese Laurel Hedging, Buxus balls, Nepeta fassenii & Japanese maples.

The clients were delighted with the results and posted the following Google Review:

I found Kevin Baumann’s expertise reassuring and our beautiful driveway is being admired by our neighbours regularly. We are delighted with result. Thank you again Kevin