Give us a call
if you would like more information about anything mentioned on our site please get in touch
Introduction to Decorative Gravel
There is a wide and ever-expanding menu of aggregates that can be used as a surface dressing. The principles and properties discussed apply equally to all types of aggregates.
Some definitions
Gravel refers to small stones, generally 5-30mm in diameter, that may be angular or rounded. Angular gravels are usually sourced from quarries, a by-product of the crushing processes, whereas rounded gravels are from a fluvial source, such as an old river bed, beaches, and channel dredging. Gravels can be of almost any colour, depending on the parent rock type, or even a multi-coloured blend.
Peagravel refers to a well-rounded gravel, usually in the 5-10mm size range. It is a popular bedding material for laying drainage pipes.
What Size?
One of the most frequently asked questions about gravel surfacing is “What size gravel should I use?”
The gravels most commonly used as a loose surface dressing are in the 6-20mm size range. Anything less than 6mm is more akin to a grit and is too easily disturbed, anything over 18-20mm can be difficult to walk upon. In general, the smaller 6-10mm gravels would be u sed for footpaths and the 10-18mm gravels for driveways, but it really is a matter of personal taste.
