A common misconception
There is a simple answer to the frequently asked question of whether a weed control fabric should be laid beneath a new driveway surface and it is, no, you don’t. There is a common misconception that a weed membrane is an essential element to laying a new driveway. But a well-prepared surface and a properly laid driveway will do the job of preventing below-ground weed growth, without the need to lay a weed control fabric.
A properly laid driveway should have a sub-base of 100-200mm (depending on the traffic usage) of type 1 aggregate or similar. Once compacted and levelled, the sub-base itself will prevent weed growth from below.
What you do need, however, is a geotextile fabric to stabilise the ground beneath the surface finish of the driveway. A specialist geotextile fabric, such as Drivetex from Growtivation’s Product That Works professional landscaping range, laid beneath the sub-base acts as a separation layer between the soil (sub-grade) and the aggregate (sub-base) material, to spread the imposed load and prevent sinking and rutting.
The perpetual weed problem
Regardless of how well you prepare and lay a new driveway, weeds will eventually grow. Airborne seeds will lodge in the surface covering or joints between blocking paving, take root and weeds will appear. Placing a weed control fabric beneath the surface finish of a driveway isn’t going to stop this.
Controlling or suppressing weed growth is a common problem and aside from denying seeds the air and light that they need to grow from within the soil, some surface weeding will always be required and in some instances, the application of a chemical weedkiller may be needed.
Find out more about the Growtivation Product That Works range by downloading our Product Guide and your free copy of our Landscaping That Works guide to weed control and geotextile fabrics.
To find out where you can buy Growtivation products visit our online Where to Buy facility or contact the friendly team at Growtivation for advice on 0800 197 8885 or email sales@growtivation.com.
