Photo: Ron Lach

Should you put fabric under a gravel driveway?

Is it really necessary to put fabric under my gravel driveway? Yes, if you want your driveway to last. Having geotextile fabric under your gravel driveway will prevent you from continually needing to add more aggregate base to your road since the rock will drop into the subgrade layer.

profabricsupply.com - Installing Driveway Fabric: A helpful illustrated guide

Are metal sheds worth it?

A metal shed is great for those who need a cost-effective, simple storage solution. If you do not want or need custom features and simply want to...

Last updated Jun 3, 2019

Should I insulate my shed?

Benefits of Insulating Your Shed Extreme temperatures can damage sensitive items, like paints, electronics, pottery, and more. Insulating your shed...

Last updated Jun 17, 2019

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

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Installing Driveway Fabric in 4 Steps:

Step 1 - Site Preparation

Prepare the site and remove all vegetation from the area. This could include shrubs, grass or other brush that might be in way of the path. The surface of the subgrade soil should be both smooth and level, grade the entire area to remove any high spots or depressions in the ground. A uniformly flat dirt path is critical as it ensures a good foundation from which to lay down the fabric and build your aggregate base on. If you have any wet or damp subgrade please consult your project engineer as more may need to be done to ensure a stable base layer level.

Step 2 - Lay the Fabric

Install the woven geotextile fabric roll in the same direction as indicated on the project plans. By orienting in the correct direction, it will ensure a long life of the pathway and the product will perform to the its full design strength. Typical roll sizing for woven fabrics range from 12.5’-17.5’ wide. It’s good to keep this in mind when ordering as it will typically be delivered by a less than truckload (LTL) freight truck.

Step 3 - Secure with Staples

Once all the fabric is on the ground, you’ll need to secure it so that it does not move. Use standard 6” landscape staples or pins to secure the fabric to the ground and prevent it from shifting or moving over time. Using approximately 1 staple every square yard of material, or if you’re just stapling the sides and center it would be 1 staple for every 3 linear feet. Finally, add the base material on top of the geotextile fabric. If you’re adding aggregate rock to your driveway then its recommended to have a minimum of 8-12 inches depth of rock on top of the fabric and potentially much more depending on the composition/stability of your subgrade and what is indicated on the project plan. You are able to drive on the fabric before the base is on top in order to dump the crushed rock, however go slow, less than 10 mph and be careful not to stop abruptly or make any sharp turns as that may damage the fabric material. Once you have laid the stable base then its time to compact the gravel down using a compacting tool or

appropriate loader vehicle with the correct attachment.

What kind of roof lasts the longest?

Roofing material that lasts the longest are concrete, clay or slate tiles. These materials significantly outperform other natural products like...

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Is it hard to build a shed?

Building a shed isn't that difficult, but if you don't build it properly you're in for big problems down the road. Rotting floors, sagging doors,...

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What material shed lasts the longest?

Metal sheds are more durable as they are fire, insect, rot, and weather resistant. They can rust, but they are more durable to the elements vs. wood. Resin is the most durable because it's weather-resistant to fading, rusting, warping, rotting, insects, and fire.

keter.com - Resin vs Wood vs Metal Sheds: Which Material is Better - Keter

The final decision on what shed to purchase comes down to your personal preference. The differences between resin vs. wood vs. metal can be narrowed down into 4 categories: price, durability, maintenance, and assembly. When it comes to price, wood is the most expensive and least environmentally friendly option, the resin is the second-most expensive and the most environmentally friendly option, and metal is the cheapest but the hardest to transport and assemble. All three materials are durable and will be able to hold anything you store. But you’ll want to remember which options are going to last the longest through the harshest weather elements. Wooden sheds are not necessarily waterproof and are not resistant to fire or rotting. Metal sheds are more durable as they are fire, insect, rot, and weather resistant. They can rust, but they are more durable to the elements vs. wood. Resin is the most durable because it’s weather-resistant to fading, rusting, warping, rotting, insects, and fire. Assembly is the final factor to consider when purchasing a shed. Some wooden sheds are already built and just require you to install them. However, most wooden sheds are difficult to build and require a lot of work and patience. Metal sheds are also difficult to install and once they are built, it’s very difficult to transport a metal shed. Resin is the easiest to build and easy to move to a new location because of its lightweight material.