Over the years we have built a 3 or 4 and made some expensive mistakes.
I echo the comments above:
It is the stuff you dont see that is MOST important.
1 get your levels right. Cant "mend" that later.
2 (made this mistake!) Drainage, drainage, drainage. If in doubt, opt for more, better, deeper. Know your ground type. Poor drainage with ruin even the most expensive surface. Spend more time and effort researching best drainage options than surface types. If on a hill/slope, dont forget about water "run off" from the land up hill.
Think about the quality of the drainage pipe, especially if going under any ground with vehicles going over. Double walled rigid might be better.
Think, do you want to line the drainage holes with membrane to stop the stone sinking into subsoil or subsoil ingress into drainage channels and blocking over time. Many will say not needed..... Is it worth the risk for very small cost?
Size of stone. Type of stone.... The list is endless.
After speaking to the experts, speak with the real expert - local farmers or land owners around you and ask thier experience.
3 surfaces. I hate saying this because I am cynical and like a bargain.... But... You get what you pay for with surfaces. At the end of the day it is relatively easy to change the surface if you made a mistake.
Sand is sand , right. Such a big price difference between "equine" sand and the sand you can buy from any builders merchants. Exactly what I thought. Always feel others are falling for the marketing bullshit and getting ripped off. Hmmmmm, that was another expensive mistake. As a subsurface or surface it will be a mistake if you dont get silica sand (often referred to as "equine" sand).
! The cheapest fibre option I can find is around £3000. Has anyone had experience with used surface from someone else’s ménage?
