When you think of landscaping products, your mind might automatically jump to soil, mulch, and decorative stone. But at Greely Sand & Gravel, we also provide top quality gravel products - it’s in our name! Buying gravel can be a tricky process because it goes by many names and the slight differences between the different products can make or break your project. Our experienced team is ready to help you figure out exactly what you need to make your landscaping project a success this summer!
The term “gravel” can refer to different things… crushed stone, GA, stone dust, clear stone. Each name refers to a slightly different product but it can be confusing to know which product you need for your specific application.
The three main gravel products we stock at Greely Sand & Gravel are:
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- ⅞” Crushed Stone - This is high quality limestone that has been put through a crusher creating pieces of different sizes all the way from ⅞” pieces down to stone dust.
- ¾” or ⅜” Clear Stone - This is also high quality limestone, but the pieces are screened to remove stone dust and smaller particles, leaving just more uniformly sized pieces, available in smaller or larger stone sizes.
- Stone Dust - This refers to just the limestone dust that is a byproduct of the crushing process.
Each product mentioned above has a different application within construction and landscaping. Crushed Stone, also called GA, is perfect for creating a solid base for your patio, walkway, hot tub, or garden shed. The inclusion of all different sizes of stone and also Stone Dust, allows this product to compact well, creating a very solid base layer for your project.
Stone Dust is often applied on top of the Crushed Stone base, prior to laying pavers or interlocking stones. The fine grain of Stone Dust allows you to level each stone or paver, creating a safe, stable, and uniform final product.
Clear Stone is excellent for areas that require drainage because the stones are all the same size, which means that small spaces are left between the pieces when you install them. Clear Stone is often used for areas around your property where water will need to drain away from structures. It is also used as a base layer under a concrete slab, again to provide adequate drainage away from the area.
Here's a great video showing the different types of Gravel
In terms of specific projects, here are a few examples of what type of gravel would be required.
- Gravel Driveway - Fill potholes and level a gravel driveway with ⅞” Crushed Stone. This stone will compact down when it is spread and leveled, creating a solid and safe surface on which to drive or walk.
- French Drain - Use Clear Stone to fill the trench or drainage area. The spaces left between the stone pieces will allow water to move quickly away from your home, shed, or barn.
- Interlock Walkway - Use ⅞” Crushed Stone to create a base layer. Once you have leveled and compacted the ⅞” Crushed Stone, spread a 1” thick layer of Stone Dust on top and then begin placing your interlocking stones.
If you aren’t sure about what specific gravel product you need for your project, please don’t hesitate to give our office a call at 613-821-3003. Our experienced team members can help you select the right product to meet your needs.
Once you know what you need, place an order for delivery by dump truck or Greely Gardening Bag on our website, or visit one of our three conveniently located landscape depots to pick it up yourself. Stop by today and make your landscaping dreams a reality!