A Guide to Gravel Driveways

There is something nostalgic about driving down a gravel road or gravel driveway that smoothly winds deep into the tall pines or brings you to a cottage retreat nestled along the lakeside.

With over 100 gravel driveways under our belt throughout Door County, it’s safe to say that our business was built around gravel. We’ve invested in the right equipment, attachments, processes and materials to ensure our final product meets and exceeds our customer's expectations.

Because of that, we strive to earn your business and want to ensure that our customers are knowledgeable about gravel and the technical terms, processes, materials and equipment being used on your property.

Gravel Driveways Deteriorate Over Time

Over time, driveways can deteriorate due to various factors like frequent heavy rains, excessive vehicle traffic, freezing and thawing, and snow removal. These issues can lead to potholes, uneven surfaces, and poor drainage, making it difficult to navigate your driveway, this can cause unnecessary frustration and wear and tear on vehicles.

What Sets Us Apart

Choose Northern Landworks for all of your gravel needs. We are an experienced, reliable and responsive contractor in Door County with the right tools and equipment to get the job done on time and on budget.

Rest assured that our commitment extends beyond mere repairs. We strive to deliver exceptional results, customer service, and timely communication, ensuring your driveway remains in excellent condition for the long term. Trust us to provide the highest level of professional service for your gravel needs.

Don't let a deteriorating gravel driveway become a hassle. Trust our experienced team to handle all your driveway needs, from repairs and maintenance to proper installation. We take pride in delivering a smooth and durable driving surface that you'll enjoy for years to come.

Our Approach to Gravel Driveways

At Northern Landworks, we specialize in gravel driveway refreshes, repairs, maintenance and installation. Our expertise lies in the installation, care, and repair of gravel driveways. Each driveway is unique, but the solution often involves addressing problem areas with the right materials and ensuring proper water drainage from the surface of the driveway.

By utilizing proper materials on your driveway, we not only create a remarkably smooth and long-lasting driving surface but also restore your driveway's functionality while adding value to your property.

The Importance of Compaction & Rolling

Stability: Compacting the gravel improves its stability by creating a tightly packed surface. This helps prevent the gravel from shifting, rutting, or becoming uneven over time. A stable surface enhances safety and makes driving, walking, and parking on the driveway easier and more comfortable.
Durability: Compacted gravel is less prone to erosion and wear. It withstands heavy vehicle traffic, adverse weather conditions, and regular use without breaking down or deteriorating as quickly. By compacting the gravel, you create a more durable and long-lasting driveway.
Enhanced Drainage: Proper compaction ensures that the gravel driveway has excellent drainage capabilities. Compacted gravel allows water to flow through the surface and into the underlying layers, preventing the accumulation of water and minimizing the risk of puddles or standing water on the driveway.
Weed Control: Compact gravel minimizes the space available for weeds to take root and grow. When the gravel is firmly packed, it creates a dense barrier that discourages weed growth. This reduces the amount of maintenance required to keep the driveway free from unwanted vegetation.
Improved Aesthetic Appeal: A well-compacted gravel driveway presents a neat and clean appearance. The surface appears more even, with a consistent texture and level. This enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your property and contributes to its curb appeal.
Lower Maintenance: Compacted gravel requires less ongoing maintenance compared to loose or poorly compacted surfaces. It resists displacement and rutting, reducing the need for frequent regrading or adding additional gravel. This saves you time, effort, and money in the long run.

Comprehensive Maintenance Program

To further safeguard the condition of your driveway, we provide comprehensive preventative maintenance plans. By joining our list, you'll benefit from regular touch-up grading sessions that proactively address any potential issues. As spring arrives, we'll promptly get in touch to schedule a visit, during which our team will bring along the necessary equipment to effectively eliminate any debris and repair damage caused by snow removal.

Gravel Terms to Know

Crown

A properly drained gravel road or driveway should have a crown. Driveway crowning is the primary means by which surface water is drained off the driveway surface. To crown a driveway means to create a high point that runs lengthwise along the center of the road. Either side of this high point is sloped gently away from the center toward the outer edge of the road. Crowning is one of the quickest ways to get water off the drive- way, preventing significant erosion of the road surface.

Grading

Grading is probably the most important aspect to your entire gravel driveway job. Grading is the process of ensuring a level base in the construction of your driveway or roadway. Grading allows water to drain properly, this is critical to prevent pooling water, grade and pitch should be done by a professional. We measure, plan, and spend ample time determining the correct grade and pitch that your driveway will require to properly direct water away from your home and to prevent puddles or pools occurring during rainfall.

Drainage

Regular raking & maintenance is necessary to prevent debris accumulation ans keep drainage flowing properly, and keep the surface even so that cars and people can use it safely. Gravel driveways are popular for more than a few reasons — not just because they have a nice, rustic aesthetic. Gravel driveways are also highly permeable, which benefits areas that have poor drainage.

Gravel

Our approach to driveway repair involves using the proper gravel material for your driveway. The correct gravel product ensures a proper stone-to-fines ratio, ensuring it tightly packs down and remains firmly in place. By utilizing proper materials on your driveway, we not only create a remarkably smooth and long-lasting driving surface but also restore your driveway's functionality while adding value to your property.