Design Basics: The Best Materials for Steep Driveways

Winter is a hard time for your car. Your driveway is steep and ice causes your car to have to work a lot harder to get up the slope and into your garage. It may be time to replace that concrete driveway.

While concrete is a gorgeous and sturdy option, it’s too smooth. There is no traction for your tires during the frosty months so they can’t get a grip. You need something with a bit more texture. 

To help you pick out the best material for you and your car, here are a few great options for steep driveways.

1. Gravel  

Gravel creates plenty of traction for tires during icy conditions. It's also more affordable than almost any other driveway option. The only thing that you should keep in mind with this is that it does take a little bit of maintenance. 

You'll want to put up a small stone wall to keep it from venturing into your garden. You also need to get it repacked by a professional every few months or so.  

Gravel Stones

Gravel stones are a bit larger than your traditional gravel. The smooth nature of the rocks gives enough texture for your car to gain traction while still being easy on the tires. Same rules apply with these, you'll have to put up a little barrier. 

You'll also need to put down a cloth before you put in the stones. If you don't, grass will sprout out through. 

2. Crushed Stone

Crushed stone has sort of the same effect that gravel does. Its texture gives your tires plenty of traction. It's as affordable as gravel and will give your home a neat rustic feel.

You'll need to be careful with it though. Potholes tend to form and you may chip some of it away when you're shoveling or plowing snow off it.  

3. Cobblestones 

Having a flat granite driveway is a bad idea because it will be too smooth. Cobblestone squares are made of granite though and add traction into the mix. They also look nice.

These little squares come with a price tag, however. Liked crushed stones, cobblestones are a bit hard to shovel or plow but for a different reason. The uneven surface makes it hard for you to get it all. 

4. Chip Seal

If you like gravel but don't like the idea of the little stones escaping into your garden then you should go with the chip seal option. Chip seal is gravel that's been rolled onto an asphalt emulsion. 

The emulsion is sticky so it keeps the stones right where they need to be. You will have to be a little careful. The stones tend to break off during freeze cycles and they can easily be knocked loose with a plow.  

Awesome Materials for Steep Driveways 

If you have a steep driveway you'll need to have a material that can give your tires a little extra traction. If you don't, you'll find it hard to pull into your house when things get icy. We hope you try out some of the materials for steep driveways on this list! 

As long as your driveway isn't steep, concrete is a great material option. Let our team of amazing women take care of it. Contact us to ask about our services.