A pea gravel patio can be easy, affordable, and beautiful. Pea gravel patio pros and cons and tips on how to do this project in your yard.
Are you considering installing a pea gravel patio in your yard? Today I’m sharing the pros and cons of a pea gravel patio, as well as the DIY steps for this project. A few years ago we created a pea gravel patio with a fire pit and really liked the aesthetic of the pea gravel. It fit into a small area where two sidewalks converged into one, and was a cozy little place to hang out.
A few weeks ago I shared article all about the cabin/garage which we are building on our lake property. As I mentioned in the article, I managed the build and worked with the contractors who performed the various tasks. The drywall is in motion and we should be working on the finishing aspects of the project over the next few weeks. Now that we had most of the decisions made about the actual building, we started thinking ahead to the landscape side of things. Because of this, I’ve decided to start an exterior series where I share about all the things we’re considering and working on for the landscaping and exterior design of the cabin structure. Read more about this project here.
As you probably know, building is an expensive process and we made various compromises along the way to stay within budget. One of the things we are considering is putting off installing a concrete patio in front of the building and creating a gravel patio instead. This would also allow us to be flexible going forward when it comes time to build the house with exactly where we want the concrete to extend. When deciding, it’s important to consider all the pros and cons of a pea gravel patio before proceeding with your project.
Is a pea gravel patio a good idea?
Gravel patios have several advantages over concrete, as well as several disadvantages. The advantages are that a gravel patio is easier to install than concrete, much cheaper and versatile. You are less involved with this than you are after installing a large concrete pad. They are also a much easier DIY project than concrete, which is another way to keep costs down. Installed correctly, they are low-maintenance and prevent (or minimize) weed growth as well as promote more even water drainage in your yard.
What is the disadvantage of a gravel terrace?
If not installed properly, a gravel yard can become a magnet for weed growth. It is important to ensure that you have a suitable weekly barrier along the entire bottom and edges of your patio before placing the gravel. You should also consider edging the gravel with something that makes a clean edge between the gravel and the garden or lawn, such as small patio stones.
Gravel, especially pea gravel, can spread easily and may need to be raked from time to time to maintain a relatively level surface. Furniture can also sink into gravel, especially pea gravel, as it does not create as hard a surface as crushed gravel. Finally, a gravel patio is not as easy to keep clean by sweeping, etc. as concrete. You can often remove most debris with a leaf blower. Make sure it’s set low enough that it doesn’t blow the gravel away too!
What is the difference between a regular gravel patio and a pea gravel patio?
When discussing gravel patios, most people tend to think of a gravel patio, but it’s not the only option available. Pea gravel is the most popular and trendy choice for patios because of its aesthetics. It seems to have a lot of character compared to rough cut gravel. Pea gravel patios are also more popular because they are smoother and generally more pleasant to walk on. It makes a lovely crunchy sound underfoot and usually has an attractive variety of colors within it, rather than the monochromatic look of many types of gravel. Pea gravel may be more expensive depending on its availability in your area.
What do you put under the gravel?
As I mentioned, it is extremely important to use a thick, quality landscape fabric under and around the edges of a gravel patio so as to prevent weed growth. Alternatively, you can consider using thick plastic or polyethylene, but landscape fabric is usually the preferred product to use under gravel because it allows for much better drainage than plastic. You certainly don’t want water pooling in your gravel yard.
It is also a good idea to place several layers of sand on top of the landscape surface and below the gravel layer. This provides more cushioning as well as prevents the gravel from digging into the landscape and allowing weeds to penetrate. After you have spread a few inches of sand with a shovel, you can finish it off with a few inches of gravel on top.
Tips for this DIY project:
- Shape your area and dig to remove about 4 inches of soil or turf.
- Lay down a high-quality landscape fabric.
- Fence the area with small concrete pavers or blocks.
- Lay a base for the gravel, using sand 2 inches deep, raked smoothly.
- Install 2 inches of gravel and rake until level.
- If you are using regular gravel, you can compact it with a compactor to make the patio quite solid and hard. Pea gravel cannot be compacted.
Jen from City Farmhouse has a stunning pea gravel patio in her yard and shared a great article about How to Create a DIY Pea Gravel Patio The Easy Way. It’s worth a read if you’re considering installing one. I also love the beautiful color of the gravel it has produced.
I hope you enjoyed these ideas and tips! If we install one on our property, I’ll be sure to share pictures and an article about the whole process.
