Choosing the Right Gravel – A Buyer's Guide
Once you've used a gravel calculator to figure out how much material you need, the next big question is: Which type of gravel should you buy? With so many options at the landscape supply yard, picking the wrong one can lead to drainage issues, a wobbly driveway, or a yard that doesn't look the way you imagined. Here is a quick guide to choosing the right aggregate for your specific project.
1. Understanding the Basics: Angular vs. Round
Crushed Stone (Angular): This gravel is mechanically crushed, creating sharp, interlocking edges. It locks together tightly, making it the best choice for driveways, parking pads, and base layers. Examples: Granite base, limestone, trap rock.
Pea Gravel (Round): These are naturally smooth, small stones worn down by water. They shift and roll underfoot, making them poor for driveways but excellent for pathways, playgrounds, and decorative flower beds.
2. Matching Gravel to the Job
For Driveways (The Base Layer): You want #3 or #4 gravel (usually 1-2 inches in size). This is the "foundation" stone that provides structural support.
For Driveways (The Top Coat): You want #57 gravel (about 3/4 inch to 1 inch). This size locks together well but is comfortable to walk on. In snowier climates, opt for crushed granite, as limestone can turn slippery when wet.
For Drainage (French Drains): You need clean gravel (washed). This means it has no dust or small particles (called "fines"). Water flows through clean gravel easily. #57 or larger #3 rock works well here.
For Walkways & Patios: Decomposed Granite (DG) or Crusher Run. These contain fine particles that compact into a solid, almost concrete-like surface when wet and tamped down.
For Decorative Beds: River Rock or Pea Gravel. These are chosen for aesthetics. Because they are round, they are harder for weeds to take root in compared to sharp stone, though they do shift more easily.
3. Don't Forget the "Fines"
If you are building a driveway or a patio base, you will likely need "base rock" or "crusher run." This contains a mixture of large stones and stone dust (the fines). When you compact this with a plate compactor, the dust glues the rocks together, creating a hard, durable surface. If you use "clean" rock for a base, it will just shift around forever.