How Much Aggregate Do I Need?
22 September 2022
Decorative aggregates are beautifully designed small stones or stone chippings designed to decorate outdoor spaces. They come in many forms depending on the colours and types of stones they come from. Because there’s so much choice, it’s important to choose the right stones to match the surrounding area depending on where you plan to lay the aggregate.
Aggregate or decorative gravel can be used on driveways, surrounding patios or decking in gardens or to fill the edges of flowerbeds.
Purposes of Aggregate?
Aggregate not only looks great and finishes off your outdoor décor but can also serve the purpose of filling gaps to make the ground more level and helps with drainage at the bottom of hills or in particularly damp areas.
For this reason, it’s important to get the exact right amount of aggregate to fill your space. Having too little could mean that your space looks empty and unsightly and may cause issues with water damage if the area gets too damp.
If you’re using aggregate to create a driveway, you should remember that your space must remain level enough to park a car, without the weight pushing down into the floor creating grooves and potentially meaning your car gets stuck or damaged.
How To Calculate The Right Amount of Aggregate
To calculate the amount of gravel you require, you’ll need to know the exact size of the area that you need to fill. This includes the square meterage and also the depth that the gravel needs to fill. If you’re using the aggregate to fill a space rather than just for decoration, then you’ll need much more gravel to ensure its density.
The amount of gravel that you need will be measured out in weight based on the space you have to fill, but you may also want to consider the size of your stones too. As aggregate comes in many different forms, smaller stone types are likely to be less stable if weight is placed on them and may spread more easily. We recommend 20m-size gravel which we sell, some people like the look of 10mm-size gravel or ‘pea gravel’, but this can cause all manner of problems, including the gravel getting stuck in the treads of a car tyre, and also stuck in the soles of your shoes, and probably ending up in your house!
Calculation of aggregate types and driveways
It’s simple to work out the amount of aggregate needed for a driveway, as this tends to be a set shape, so the square footage can be calculated. For advice or assistance on choosing your aggregate JW Clark LTD offer a professional aggregate ordering and delivery service.
If you intend to use the gravel to finish off your garden, then the amount may be a little more uncertain just because you’re likely to have more curves and a smaller area so a square footage can be difficult to obtain. If in doubt, always order more than you need so you don’t leave your garden looking unfinished.
A gravel calculator can take your length, width and depth measurements and provide an accurate picture of how much aggregate you’ll need to fill the space. For example, if you intend to fill a driveway, the average amount for a 5 x 5 metre space with a 40 mm depth would be approximately 3 large bulk bags. An aggregate calculator can help you to make an accurate decision on how much you’ll need.
Working your amount out in this way can save on wastage, cost less money and also mean that you’re guaranteed to be left with enough gravel to complete the job.
To discuss your aggregate needs, please contact a helpful member of our team today via our contact page.
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