Your driveway is important: not only is it the entry to your home, but it is the access point for your vehicle! Because of heavy use, it’s important that your driveway be able to withstand the weather and all the traffic it will endure. Choosing the right material will prevent erosion from occurring and give you a durable driveway for years to come.
Is crushed limestone good for driveways?
Crushed limestone is a common aggregate used for driveways because of its hardness, durability, and density.
What is Crushed Limestone?
Limestone is a sedimentary rock, mostly made up of calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate. Because of its many advantages, it is used in many different industries: construction, farming, and steel production, to name a few. Crushed limestone is simply limestone that has been broken down to a range of specific sizes. Crushed limestone also has many uses: lining landscaping beds, treating acidic soil, preventing erosion, and building footpaths, driveways, and more. Crushed limestone is perfect for these uses because it has a pleasing appearance, is less costly than other materials, and is versatile for many landscaping purposes.
Limestone vs. Gravel
When you picture limestone vs. gravel, can you tell the difference? Limestone and gravel are often confused with each other, but they are very different aggregates, primarily in appearance. Crushed limestone contains one type of rock (limestone), while gravel is a compilation of many different rock varieties. Crushed limestone fragments tend to be more angular and jagged than gravel, which is round and smooth in shape. Crushed limestone typically comes in shades of gray depending on where it’s mined, while gravel can vary in color from white to gray to brown.
When it comes to choosing limestone or gravel for your driveway, both are perfectly suitable for driveway and parking area use. Limestone and gravel have both aesthetic and practical benefits like durability, versatility, and a natural look. Limestone especially is known for its durability (it can withstand all types of weather from heavy rain, to ice, snow, and heat) and its drainage capabilities. It may also be preferred for its ability to stay in place under foot and vehicle traffic. Gravel may shift more easily and may require more maintenance after installation.
Advantages of Crushed Limestone for Driveway
Crushed limestone is one of the best aggregates to use for your driveway. It has many advantages including:
- Durability. Limestone can withstand the elements, seasons, and vehicle and foot traffic.
- Drainage. The size, shape, and spacing of crushed limestone aggregate facilitate efficient water drainage, which then absorbs naturally into the ground.
- Decorative Appeal. Crushed limestone is generally uniform in color and has a clean, tidy appearance.
- Affordability. Crushed limestone is a relatively cost-effective aggregate for driveway use.
- Ease of Installation. Crushed limestone can be installed easily by a professional and requires little to no maintenance after installation.
To answer the question “Is crushed limestone good for driveways?” the short answer is yes. If you’re looking for a driveway or parking space solution that’s more economical, looks tidy, and can take heavy traffic, crushed limestone is the perfect aggregate to do the job—especially for long driveways and otherwise inaccessible areas.
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Installing a Crushed Limestone Driveway/Parking Lot
Installing your own crushed limestone driveway or parking space can be tedious: it requires many materials on hand and meticulous planning. After measuring, planning, and staking out the width and length of your driveway, you will need a skid steer or bulldozer to remove a layer of topsoil. Next, the space will need to be evened out, also using heavy equipment. Then a base and layer of crushed limestone must be acquired, laid in place, and flattened in place.
Aside from the planning and materials needed, it is also imperative that you have knowledge of the heavy equipment you are using.
Because of the time and energy that goes into the process, it’s wise to hire a professional for your aggregate driveway.
How much limestone do I need for my driveway?
Calculating the amount of limestone needed for your driveway or parking area depends on the size of the area and whether or not your driveway has aggregate previously applied. If the area needs completely new aggregate, excavation may be needed to prep the site. If the site has not been prepped, 4-6 inches of aggregate should be applied. If the site is prepped and has previous aggregate, an application of 2-3 inches will suffice.
Building a Crushed Limestone Driveway with Lakeshore Customs
At Lakeshore Customs, we can help you build an aggregate driveway or parking lot not only with crushed limestone but other aggregates like pea stone, slag, crushed concrete, and crushed stone, according to your preference.
Building a new home? Consider an aggregate driveway. Lakeshore Customs serves the West Michigan area from Ludington to Holland to Benton Harbor.
