Is there much point putting plastic under gravel?

[MisterBoy]

My garden paths and drive need some attention, the gravel has mostly disappeared over the years and it gets a lot of weeds.
I am debating between simply dumping more gravel on top, or digging it out and lining with a membrane and starting over with a nice gravel bed.

But it seems like inevitably, you get leaves and stuff in the gravel which turns to soil and then you get weeds anyway.

Is it worth the extra effort or is a better approach to just weed-treat the paths? Is plastic even the better approach or would a layer of compacted crusher run be better?

 

[jj4091]

Piierced DPM for me. That's how I've done ours. As you say some things will still germinate in the gravel ( sycamore seeds ) but not as bad as with nothing

 

[Munroast]

Yes the landscaping fabric that stops the light makes a worthwhile difference, seeds under it won't germinate and any seeds that germinate on top don't do well as they can't extend their roots downwards

 

[Cheslea2010]

If there is no sub base such as Type 1 then yes, use a membrane. If there is a sub base the membrane should go under the sub base and not between the sub base and finished gravel surface.