Why You Should Consider Crushed Granite For You Gravel

There's nothing quite like gravel for creating that pristine driveway or perfect path. With increased focus on water conservation, it's also the ideal material for a low-maintenance garden. If you're thinking of using gravel in your yard, crushed granite is a material that is well worth considering and offers a number of benefits.

Crushed granite is available in a huge assortment of colors, ranging from white to black, with pinks, golds, browns, greens, and blues in between. This variety makes it easy to match to just about any hardscaping design. It's also among the most affordable types of rock and is very durable. Although weeds can sometimes grow through it, there are a number of hacks to keep weeds from growing in the gravel.

Crushed granite isn't only an attractive, low-cost option. The granite industry is keen to argue that natural stone is a more environmentally friendly choice than man-made alternatives. Granite is the most prevalent igneous rock in the earth's composition, so its use has minimal impact, and quarrying companies employ increasingly sustainable practices.

Crushed granite can range between a 1/4 inch to 1 inch in size. Meanwhile, decomposed granite is made up of pieces of rock that are smaller than gravel. Fines are even smaller fragments — technically anything down to dust-sized particles. Any consignment of decomposed granite will usually include fines. The advantage of this mix is that it is easy to install, and surfaces can be compacted, making it less likely to move around than gravel. It's also possible to mix decomposed granite with stabilizers or polymers to produce a more solid surface. If resin is introduced, decomposed granite behaves a lot like asphalt but retains the beauty of real stone. Some suppliers offer a variety of alternatives, so it's worth discussing your project with them to find the best solution.

It's very much a matter of personal preference, but granite gravel is perhaps best suited for driveways where a larger, more open structure provides the desired visual appeal. Meanwhile, decomposed gravel and fines may be preferred for mulching gardens and for paths. Interestingly, this type of mulch can be used to repel pests from your home. However, if you use decomposed gravel close to entrances, it's a good idea to have a mat, so that footwear can be wiped. This will keep small, hard particles from being dragged into the house where they might damage floors.