Depending on what you’re looking for, the choice of hardstand material can be a tough one.
Aesthetics, functionality, price, and ongoing maintenance all have a part to play in selecting the best hardstand material.
Some of the most common materials for hardstand areas are concrete, asphalt, compacted road base, gravel, and decorative stone like rhyolite dust. The most common choice for hardstand we see are asphalt and road base, it’s often the best choice for the client’s budget whilst still being highly functional.
Concrete is the best option for hardstand areas used for heavy vehicles and machinery as it requires very little maintenance, if any. While concrete is the most durable option, it’s also expensive, which is why many people opt for asphalt instead.
Asphalt is a more commonly used and more affordable material that holds up well in high traffic areas in an industrial setting. Asphalt has a long lifespan, however, requires ongoing maintenance to fill in holes.
A more budget friendly option is Road base, which requires a lot of maintenance to smooth and replenish lost aggregate. It’s versatile, comes in a variety of sizes, and works well with lighter vehicles like passenger cars so if aesthetics is an important factor, you may want to look into it.
If you’re wanting your hardstand area to look good and be within budget, finer hardstand materials like gravel and decorative stone are more suited to your needs.
Gravel is a great and cheap option, but is more suited to residential driveways, or hospitality and accommodation venues as it doesn’t hold up well with heavy vehicle or machinery use. Gravel is versatile and comes in a range of colours.
If not prepared properly on flat surface with drainage and adequate sub-base, it’s frequent maintenance of smoothing and leveling off high & low areas, as well as replacing crushed gravel, occur more often.
Like gravel, decorative stone and Rhyolite dust is a great choice for aesthetics. It’s best suited to passenger-car carparks, driveways & pathways, and comes in a variety of colours.
Rhyolite dust requires a high level of maintenance and has to be replaced often as it’s easily displaced and will wash away with heavy rain exposure. Drainage can also be an issue with certain decorative stone materials.
We can work with you for the whole process. Deciding what material is best for your hardstand area, clearing and leveling the area, install drainage and retaining walls if required, filling your hardstand in, and performing the necessary maintenance required to keep them functioning & looking good.
