The Blog of Weavers Landscape Company

On Wednesday, Jan 27, I went to a seminar regarding an new product, Gravel-Lok. This product is the remedy for the (2) main problem with Pea Gravel Walkways/Patio, which are:

a. A soft and unstable walking surface, due to the 'rolling' effect of the stone

b. Stones migrating into surrounding areas, mainly from being kicked around when walking through the area. Also stones sticking in your shoes and tracking into houses.

Gravel-Lok is a 'glue' that holds the Pea Gravel together. The advantages:

a. Solid 'asphalt like' surface, with the beauty of Pea Gravel

b. Stones stay in place. Awesome.

c. Permeability. Yes, you can turn your patio (or driveway) into a permeable pavement. Permeable means that water runs 'through' it, not off of it. Permeable Paving Systems are gaining momentum daily, simply because to much of most neighborhoods are covered with non-permeable pavements, such as asphalt and concrete, which in turn can create a major problem in a high rain event.

Where could this product (together with Decorative Pea Gravel) be used? Here's my thoughts:

Under decks. That has been a real problem area for some people. They don't want mud, pavers are costly, concrete or regular gravel looks disgusting, and decorative Pea Gravel just wants to kick around and always end up on the patio or lawn next to it. Gravel-Lok and Decorative Pea Gravel equal an inexpensive, durable, and visually appealing remedy.
Back yard walkways. So you have grass now, but would like to make it more usable year round. So you look at the options. Pavers would be nice, but don't really give the look you want. A concrete walk would work, but that would look even worse. So you put down some Decorative Pea Gravel, which looks awesome, but you don't care for the way it 'walks' Gravel-Lok will take care of the 'softness' and 'moving around'.
Patios or Driveways? Sometimes. In the right setting, a Pea Gravel Patio with Gravel-Lok would be just the right thing.

So now your wondering about cost. And we have great news. This is a very cost effective product, obvious depending a lot on what happens under the Gravel-Lok and Pea Gravel. For an Under Deck application, you won't find a better, cost effective option. For a walkway with non-vehicle applications (most walkways would be), you'll be well under a Paver Walkway price. Patios or Driveways will depend a lot on design of base, but will still be under the typical Paver price.

This product is not a Paver Replacement in any way. There are applications where I would not recommend this product, and places it wouldn't work as well as other options. (By saying this product I mean a Pea Gravel surface with Gravel-Lok) However, it is a wonderful tool to use for some of those 'I don't know what to do' areas, and we expect it to be a real asset to our line-up of options.

We'll be doing some tests and making some samples. Give us a call, we'd love to talk to you and show you what it is.

Burnell can be reached at 717.530.9076

Below are some pictures Decorative Pea Gravel surfaces. Remember, the Gravel-Lok Product is only the final step in the project, and is only the 'Glue' that bonds the gravel together.