Hi, I'm in NY State (Rochester County) and I'm getting contradicting answers from engineers, excavators and homeowners on the subject of shale vs. gravel for a driveway base.
Yes, gravel drains better, but by combining a fabric base with shale, you can get good drainage. Yes, shale binds better, but by selecting course, bank run gravel over rounder runner crush gravel you can find big, bony stones that will lock. Another opinion was that more important than drainage of the base, was the ability of shale to hold the crown of the road, so that water won't gather.
Any additional opinions or comments from the experts here would be greatly appreciated!
Yes, gravel drains better, but by combining a fabric base with shale, you can get good drainage. Yes, shale binds better, but by selecting course, bank run gravel over rounder runner crush gravel you can find big, bony stones that will lock. Another opinion was that more important than drainage of the base, was the ability of shale to hold the crown of the road, so that water won't gather.
Any additional opinions or comments from the experts here would be greatly appreciated!