This gravel is typically used as filler when completing excavation or as the base layer for roads. It’s not the most attractive material and has a high percentage of stone dust.

They include quarry process, dense grade aggregate, road stone, and crush & run (sometimes incorrectly written as ‘crusher run’.) The cheapest gravel available is known by many names. Not only will it look beautiful and inhibit weed growth, but it will also discourage insects from finding a home in your plants. Marble chips can also be used in the garden, in place of mulch. These chips can be used as the top layer in a gravel driveway or pathway, and are prized for their crisp white look and the way they sparkle in the sunlight.

To make marble chips, white marble is crushed into small rocks. Marble chips are both aesthetically pleasing and serve a utilitarian function. Smaller gravels without sand and clay tend to shift under the heavy weight of a vehicle, so a middle layer of a gravel product like Item #4 is needed to counteract that tendency. The sand and clay help this gravel form a hard-packed surface, making it an ideal middle layer for a gravel driveway. Stones are typically described as ‘golf-ball sized’ and are 1 – 2 ½“ in diameter. This product is a mixture of stones, sand, and clay. The appearance is irrelevant, as they will be covered by more aesthetically pleasing types of gravel. Landscapers typically recommend that gravel driveways are supported by at least four inches of a base rock like Base Gravel #3. Their size (one to two inches in diameter) and shape (irregular) creates a sturdy, non-shifting layer that also provides adequate drainage. Base Gravel #3Īs the name suggests, this type of gravel is typically used to form a base or foundation for a gravel driveway. Read on for descriptions of the most common types of gravel and their uses.

The size and composition of gravel determine what type it is, and what it can appropriately be used for. Some gravel products are made only of rocks, while others have materials such as sand, clay, or stone dust mixed in. The other determining factor in gravel type is composition. Jersey Shore Gravel, for instance, is usually composed of rocks around ¾” in diameter. Each type of gravel is associated with a particular size of rock. What distinguishes one gravel type from another? Since gravel is a catch-all name for any type of crushed stone, there are many, many different types, and it isn’t always easy to keep them straight.įor one thing, they have names that sound like classified government projects, such as Item #4, Base Gravel #3, and #57 Crushed Rock. Gravel is a versatile material that has many uses, including erosion and drainage control, landscaping, and driveway creation. These pieces are sorted and sold according to size. Almost any rock can be used to make gravel, but the most common rocks are sandstone, limestone, and basalt. Gravel can also be man-made, and this material is referred to as ‘crushed stone’ To artificially create gravel heavy-duty machinery is used to break large rocks into smaller pieces. Deposits of gravel exist in nature where rocks have undergone erosion and weathering these deposits are called ‘gravel pits.’ It is most commonly used as a construction and landscaping material. Gravel is a simply crushed stone or rock.

How Much Does a Dump Truckload of Gravel Cost?.

What Are the Different Types of Gravel?.

Gravel rock