A majority of our clients on the North & South Fork of Long Island prefer gravel and colored stone driveways to asphalt. It gives the house more of a county look than a city look.
Our gravel & colored stone driveways in Long Island are prepared the same way as if you were blacktopping it. Excavation is performed to insure proper drainage. RCA stone blend is installed for a strong base. The RCA is then power compacted with a heavy duty 8 ton roller. A hot tack oil is then applied. The oil used to be referred to as RC250, but has recently been changed to a more ecofriendly product. To our amazement, it actually sticks better than the original!
The colored stone is then applied over the tack oil. Blue, tan, burgundy, and white, are common stone color options. Once the stone is raked out and leveled, the roller is then again used to compact the stone into the hot oil. On flat surfaces, one coat of oil and stone is all that is needed. On elevated surfaces, two coats must be performed.
There are advantages and disadvantages to having a gravel and colored stone driveway in Long Island over an asphalt one. Please note below:
PROS:
Country Look – Options of Colors
No Sealcoating Required
Doesn’t Crack Like Asphalt
Drainage In Some Cases Is Better
CONS:
Weeds May Grow
Maintenance Of Re-Raking From Time To Time
Not Kid Friendly: No Basketball, Roller skating, etc
Snow Removal More Difficult