Porphyry cobble driveway in Yutz

The project

In Yutz, the owners of a house with a double garage wanted to redo their gently sloping driveway, for clean access in all seasons and a neater look than asphalt.

The choices

Porphyry cobbles were chosen for their brown, grey and pinkish shades and their naturally rough surface.

Porphyry is a dense natural stone: properly laid, these cobbles withstand frost and car traffic. Their natural look suits driveways, edgings and courtyards alike, in traditional or contemporary settings.

Installation

A local landscaper completed the work in about two weeks, with a drainage channel in front of the garage to collect water from the slope.

For a driveway, the cobbles sit on a compacted aggregate sub-base, then on a bedding layer of sand, grit or mortar depending on the expected traffic. Joints filled with sand, polymeric sand or mortar stabilise the surface, and an edge restraint keeps the cobbles from shifting.

The result

About 70 m² of driveway with good grip even on the slope in wet weather.

A natural-stone cobble driveway weathers gracefully without losing its qualities; regular sweeping and occasional cleaning are enough, and a damaged cobble can be replaced individually.