How to turn grass into a gravel driveway using ECODECK ECODRIVE500 gravel driveway grids

In this video we discuss how you can easily turn a grass area on your property into a drive way using ECODECK ECODRIVE500 gravel driveway grids. We first removed all of the grass, then levelled and installed a quality weed barrier. Once that was completed it was time to lay the ECODECK grids, which was easy enough as they all lock together to form a solid structure, just make sure you buy the driveway version e.g. ECODRIVE500 and install them in the correctly orientation. They grids have little 'cells' which is then filled with 10mm gravel that we purchased from Wickes DIY, the gravel is the tarmac brand and came in bulk bags delivered next day. The 10mm gravel needs to be compacted into the cells and sits just flush with the tops, and from there you will need to use 20mm gravel which adds further weight and stops the smaller 10mm being embedded into tyres and then going onto the pavement. We do also discuss the recommended 10mm and 20mm gravel depths you will need.
This solution provides a solid base, great drainage and is relatively quick to get done although the preparation is important. We have used ECODECK products before for our shed base, there's a video for that on the channel and they are good quality and do the job nicely so were our go to option for this project.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions etc feel free to ask, cheers!
#driveway #diy #ecodeck #ecodrive500

[@Bikertyke]

Had permission to do this for my council property. It is on a slightl slope. So need a cost effective SuDS complient way of doing it. I've opted for 150mm crushed hardcore. 5mm of Sharp's sand. Then the Ecoblocks. Then fill with gravel. Edging with block paving to slightly above the ecodrive grid. Should look great once done. Almost forgot. It includes a membrane to combat weed's.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

I hope it all works out for you, certainly sounds like you'll have good drainage.

[@Bikertyke]

@@DanielJohnHowTo I'm stuck with council needing good drainage. So that's why this method seems a good choice.

[@peterroberts6933]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed to know.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BlakeFitzgerald]

Have you had an issues since with grass growing through?

[@superdiy7081]

good job 👍

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ibrangroup]

Great job with our grids. Compacting, levelling and lining with membrane are jobs which often get skipped and results in a surface which doesn't last very long. Even with flexibility in the grids, you're going to get a bit of bounce if it's not level. How did you leave this -covered/exposed grids? Great to see such a professional finish Daniel!

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Thanks, we did spend quite a bit of time leveling everything and eventually covered it all with 20mm gravel. Even with heavy vehicles etc there were no issues and drainage etc was great, would use again.

[@heyletsplay8579]

@@DanielJohnHowTo just watched ! Do u have next video on how the tarmac was laid? Thanks I’m following you to do my drive like you 🥇

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

@@heyletsplay8579 Thanks, we just put 20mm gravel on top of these grids mate.

[@Murder950]

@ibran are these your grids it seems like these are the eco deck found on eBay and Amazon

[@richyandliz4802]

Just about to do this job I've dug out and ready to fill in.Did you skip the sub base ? Sounds like you put weed membrane straight onto soil then the grids on top?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

yes that's what we did, no issues so far thanks for asking.

[@bobpaterson7182]

Thanks for your video

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

no worries, this grid system is really good.

[@stephenglasgow762]

Hi, I've put these down straight on soil after digging up lawn, got fairly level, flat surface, filled with 20mm gravel, will they sink after heavy rain as they are directly on soil as I have my car parked on them....thanks

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

did you put any weed barrier down before laying the grids?

[@stephenglasgow762]

@@DanielJohnHowTo hi yes, but only thin material stuff, not bothered about weeds, just hope grids don't sink if soil gets to soggy underneath..

[@W204_Muj]

@@stephenglasgow762 Hi, looking to do the same. Any issue with this so far? Did it sink?

[@stephenglasgow762]

@@W204_Muj still holding out fine, no sinking, still firm, car on and off daily too...

[@DannyB-cn1hk]

Did you put any sub-base on top of the membrane before you put the ecodeck down?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

No just levelled ground, weed barrier, ecodeck, 10mm in cells and then 20mm to top it off. We have had cars, trucks, vans and no issues whatsoever.

[@digitalmole8236]

But you can still see the black plastic. Is that the finished look?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Some people leave as is, or you can top it off with say 20mm which is what we did but this video was filmed before.

[@DannyB-cn1hk]

Hi I'm thinking of using this method to do my driveway, however I am not tarmacing my driveway I was just going to use a nice decorative stone in my final layer, would this pose any issues or should it be fine?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

It worked for us and no issues.

[@DannyB-cn1hk]

Did you put any sub-base on top of the membrane before you put the ecodeck down?

[@W204_Muj]

Chhecky W204 v8 driving past :)

[@rosevaneckmakamdem7167]

hi, lovely video. how much did this cost all together please. thank you

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

the grids and the gravel etc?

[@TheSimple46]

@@DanielJohnHowTo I would say so yes 🤔

[@rjvizaka..dprrob1972]

@@DanielJohnHowTo yes how much? :)

[@jsouto77]

Thanks for the video. Im soon to buy some for the driveway/parking pads. Is there any particular reason you did not just use the 20mm gravel all the way?.... Im planning to dig 100mm. 50mm will be for type 1 sub base and 50mm will be 20mm gravel. Thanks again.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

you aren't supposed to use 20mm in-between the grid cells.

[@jsouto77]

@@DanielJohnHowTo Thank you for that. I understand that bit .What I meant/should of asked was why did you use the grid base and 10mm as basically a sub base with the 20mm on top instead of a regular/standard sub base with the grids on top, filled with the 20mm gravel?

[@keithhooper6123]

I just used membrane,grids and twenty millimetre chippings, and it's fine.

[@meanstreetsuk]

You are saying only 8cm of grass + soil needs to be removed?? I thought you had to dig down at least a foot, before starting to prepare the ground for the soil barrier and hardcore first! You didn’t mention anything about compacting a layer of hardcore first, ontop of the soil first for a nice firm foundation? I’m hoping to start this job soon!

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

It's the width of the grids + 20mm (10mm in cells flush with top), that's the idea of the grids not having to dig down a foot is a lot of material and you would need to bring the new levels up and consider that the gravel would be too deep for vehicles also. Hope that helps.

[@meanstreetsuk]

@@DanielJohnHowTo Hello yes that’s really useful to know. Thank you. Hope mine turns out as well as yours has. 😱👍

[@jpe317]

How did you cut the grids to fit the angle??

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

hacksaw

[@antonym5455]

Planning on using this for a pathway. Did you put down any hardcore/sand etc on top/below the weed mebrane? Or was the membrane on top of the soil enough? Cheers

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Thanks for asking, membrane was enough and no issues as of yet even with heavy cars on the drive.

[@antonym5455]

@@DanielJohnHowTo cheers for the response!

[@painfulltruth5551]

100-150mm of MOT type 1 as a sub base, especially if using it as a driveway.

[@epiphgd4302]

That'll be slippy as hell when wet / in winter.

[@ThePaulg123]

How is the drive now and how much was the total? So cost of 10mm+20mm+the grids and membrane? Does the 20mm top coat move around much even though its technically not sat in the grid or does it still sit nice? Thanks in advance, your response much appreciated.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

couldn't say, we moved since i'd imagine it's still good.

[@deosiewilson732]

No hardcore base that is compresssed..... No campressed sand level that is levelled and graded with a fall away from the house...... It just seems a bit of a rushed job.... But if nothing heavy will be on it...... only foot traffic it should be OK

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

thanks for feedback, we had heavy trucks on it no issues because it was done per manufacturers instructions and the cell system is very strong the load if spread and not in a single place.

[@deosiewilson732]

@@DanielJohnHowTo I'm no expert but have been watching various videos as I am getting ready for my drive way and this seems to be the most cost effective......