How to Install NDS EZ Roll® Gravel Pavers (Driveways, Parking, Access Roads)
NDS EZ Roll® Gravel Pavers are a roll-out honeycomb grid with a permanently attached geotextile fabric (a tough filter fabric) designed to stabilize gravel. The grid confines stone to reduce rutting, washouts, and spreading—while staying permeable (water drains through instead of puddling).
What this system solves
- Ruts + potholes: the honeycomb cells lock gravel in place so tires don’t push it aside.
- Gravel migration: the attached fabric helps keep stone from sinking into the base and disappearing.
- Drainage issues: the surface stays permeable so stormwater can infiltrate through the structure.
- Fast installs: it rolls out quickly—ideal for long straight runs like drive lanes and service roads.
If your goal is a gravel surface that drives like pavement (but still looks like gravel), EZ Roll is designed for continuous-use areas like driveways, parking, trails, access roads, and fire lanes.
Products in the NDS Gravel Pavers collection
This collection includes the EZ Roll® Gravel Paver roll system plus optional EZ Marker™ domes (snap-in markers) to outline parking stalls, lanes, and fire lanes.
NDS EZ Roll® Gravel Pavers — 4' x 150'
Roll-out gravel confinement grid with attached fabric to stabilize stone and improve drainage.
EZ Marker™ Parking Spot Markers
Clip-in domes that snap into empty cells to mark stalls, lanes, and fire lanes.
Planning a larger parking area or access road? Use the Quote Request page for volume pricing and layout help.
Key specs that matter on the jobsite
Specs are useful only if they help you decide: “Will it carry the load?” and “How do I build the base?” Here are the practical takeaways.
| Spec | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Roll coverage | ~3.87' × 149' roll (about 577 sq ft per roll) | Helps you estimate rolls needed quickly for long drive lanes and parking areas. |
| Grid height | ~1" tall honeycomb cells | Cell depth is what “holds” gravel in place and reduces shifting under tires. |
| Load capability | Designed to support heavy vehicles when properly installed | The base build (depth + compaction) is what turns the grid into a road-ready surface. |
| Anchors/stakes | Includes steel anchors for securing the roll | Anchoring prevents movement during filling and helps keep edges tight over time. |
| Permeable surface | Open cells + porous fabric allow infiltration | Reduces runoff and puddling compared to compacted gravel alone. |
Bottom line: if you build the base correctly, EZ Roll helps your gravel surface stay flatter, cleaner, and more drivable—with less maintenance.
Best use cases (and when to choose something else)
Great for
- Residential gravel driveways and pull-offs
- Overflow parking and event parking areas
- Service roads, access lanes, and equipment routes
- Trails, bike paths, and utility corridors that need stone stabilization
- Runoff areas where gravel tends to wash or rut
Think twice if
- You need a decorative patio finish (pavers/flagstone may be a better “look”)
- Your site has poor subgrade soils and no room for base depth
- You’re above the recommended slope/grade for your load case
- You can’t keep fill stone within the recommended size range
Not sure about base depth or soil? A quick call can prevent the #1 failure mode: an underbuilt base.
Step-by-step installation (the practical field method)
You’ll get the best results when you treat this like a roadway section: excavate, compact, build base, roll out, anchor, then fill.
1Plan your base depth for the load
- Cars / pickups / medium loads: plan for a minimum 6" base and keep slope at or below 10%.
- Fire truck / H-20 / heavy loads: plan for a minimum 8" base and keep slope at or below 6%.
These base depths assume proper compaction and a suitable subgrade. For poor soils or heavy repeated traffic, increasing base depth is often the simplest upgrade.
2Excavate + compact subgrade
- Excavate to required depth (base + 1" grid + gravel cover).
- Compact native soils before placing base.
- Use geotextile separation when needed (especially on soft soils) to keep base from sinking.
3Build and compact the base course
- Place base aggregate in lifts and compact thoroughly.
- Grade the base smooth—your finished surface will follow this plane.
- Set final elevations so the filled grid ends at your target finished grade.
4Roll out the pavers (fabric side down)
- Roll pavers out with fabric side down on the prepared base.
- Align rolls by setting one roll first, then pulling the next snug against it.
- Anchor/stake to prevent shifting during fill.
5Fill with the right gravel
- Use clean, angular stone for best lock-up (round pea gravel tends to migrate).
- A common target is 3/8" clean crushed gravel (often referenced as AASHTO #6 or similar).
- Work gravel into cells and top off so the grid is fully supported.
6Finish, then maintain like a “tight gravel” surface
- Top dress if needed after initial settlement.
- Keep edges contained (edging or border helps long-term performance).
- Periodically inspect for damage and replace sections if required.
Real-world example: 12' wide gravel driveway, 80' long
Area = 12' × 80' = 960 sq ft. One roll covers about 577 sq ft, so you’ll typically plan for 2 rolls (plus a small waste/trim allowance).
- Rolls: 2 rolls (covers ~1,154 sq ft)
- Base: 6"+ compacted base for cars/light trucks (increase if heavy use or weak soil)
- Fill stone: clean, angular gravel—enough to fill cells and lightly cap
Want help with a takeoff (roll count + base estimate)? Use Request a Quote and include your width/length plus the heaviest vehicle you expect.
How to use EZ Marker™ domes (parking stalls, lanes, fire lanes)
EZ Marker™ is a clip-in delineator that snaps into empty honeycomb cells after the grid is installed. It’s a clean way to “paint lines” on gravel without paint.
Quick install steps
- Install EZ Roll grid first: rolled out, aligned, anchored, and filled.
- Pick your pattern (stall corners, lane edges, centerlines).
- Snap markers into the target empty cells—no special tools.
- Use contrasting colors to improve visibility.
Helpful reminder: EZ Marker is intended to ship with a paver system order. View EZ Marker details
Shop EZ MarkerCommon mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Underbuilding the base
If the base is too thin or poorly compacted, the surface will still rut—because the grid can’t fix a weak foundation. Match base depth to load, and compact in lifts.
Using the wrong gravel
Rounded stone migrates and feels loose. Clean, angular gravel locks together better and stays put in the cells.
Skipping anchoring or loose seams
Anchors keep rolls from walking during fill and help edges stay tight. Align rolls snugly before staking.
Poor edge containment
Gravel surfaces last longer when edges are contained. A border/edging reduces lateral spread and keeps the install looking sharp.
FAQ
Do EZ Roll gravel pavers actually stop rutting?
They dramatically reduce rutting by confining gravel in honeycomb cells, but performance still depends on a properly built and compacted base beneath the system.
How much base do I need?
A common minimum recommendation is 6" base for cars/pickups and 8" base for heavy loads like fire trucks (H-20), with maximum grade limits depending on load. Poor soils or repeated heavy use often justify additional base depth.
What gravel should I fill it with?
Clean, angular crushed gravel is typically recommended because it locks together. A common spec is clean crushed 3/8" gravel (AASHTO #6 or similar).
Can I use EZ Marker domes for parking layout?
Yes. EZ Marker snaps into empty cells after install to mark stalls, lanes, and fire lanes—especially useful for overflow/event parking where you want guidance without striping.
