Solid substructure for loose fill
The most important part of gravel paths is the substructure. It is constructed according to the same rules as for a water-bound path surface. The gravel itself only serves to cover and refine the surface. Therefore, the covering layer of gravel or chippings should be applied no more than 2 to 3 cm thick. Higher layers cause you to sink deeper, making the paths more difficult to walk on. Whether angular crushed gravel (chips) or rounded river gravel, grain sizes of 5 to 8 and 8 to 16 mm are recommended. If larger quantities are required, you will probably resort to common materials such as gray fine chippings made of granite, basalt, diorite, or dolomite. For smaller paths, however, you can also use a more refined material such as green serpentinite or ochre-colored limestone chippings. If the color of the base layer differs from the surface layer, undesirable mixing can occur during maintenance – for example, when weeding. This can be remedied by installing a tape fabric between the surface and base layers. If it becomes visible again over time, it must be covered again.
The border makes the way
The great advantage of loose paving is that the small stones adapt to any desired shape. For paths, this means smooth, homogenous curves, which are not accompanied by a complex, often fragmented paving design. The lines of the paths dictate the edging. It can be paved in wide and clearly visible single or double rows of small stones or upright clinker. This creates a solid, spatial boundary from the surrounding beds or lawn. A more elegant look is achieved by a slender, only 3 mm thick border made of strip steel. The metal bends easily. The narrow steel edge is unobtrusive, and the path's effect is created solely by the gravel. Ready-made systems are available on the market that have rounded edges, use concealed ground nails, and do not require any concrete at all. However, strip steel is usually installed with a concrete stabilizing wedge on both sides and slightly higher than the surrounding level.
