Which Gravel Thickness?

When you’re trying to plan a landscaping project, it can seem as if there are so many things sent to complicate the project. What type of gravel? How much will you need? What depth should you go to?

There are many different manufacturers, all coming up with variations on the same theme, so we thought we would make it easy for you and put together a straight forward guide to choosing the right size gravel for your needs.

What is gravel?

In very simple terms, when you talk about gravel, what you mean is small stones. These stones are usually anything from 5mm to 30mm in diameter, and they can be rounded or with sharp angles. Angular gravels are usually sourced from quarries such as Cloburn, and rounded gravel tends to come from places like old river beds, dredging sites or beaches, where the water naturally rounds and smoothes the surface of the stones. Gravel can be any colour, depending on the source.

The types of gravel more likely to be used in a landscaping project will usually be anything from 6mm to 20mm. Our decorative red aggregate comes in three sizes: 10mm, 14mm and 20mm. Anything smaller than this is really more of a grit than a stone, and doesn’t tend to stay in place like good quality gravel will. Anything bigger can be uncomfortable to walk on, and isn’t so suitable for walkways or driveways.

 

What to use where

It’s a matter of taste, but the general rule is that the smaller gravels are best for walkways, golf courses and parks where there will be more foot-fall. For a driveway, you might prefer a larger stone, and it’s also wise to remember that if you are laying a driveway, the smaller the gravel size, the more comfortable it is for the neighbourhood cats to use it as a convenient toilet!

• Cloburn red granite chippings tend to be very popular with large landscaping projects such as golf courses, parks and cemeteries, and they have also been used for cycle paths. Also good for home driveways.

• The 14mm red aggregate can be used for pathways, as being a smaller stone it feels very comfortable under foot. It feels a little bit like walking along a beach, as you walk, the aggregate moves to accommodate your step pattern.

• The 10mm Cloburn pathway gravel is good for homes and gardens especially, and well-suited to rockeries and gardening projects. In addition to looking great, the gravel lets moisture through to the plants in the rockery, and reduces evaporation in the same way as a mulch.

For more advice about your landscaping project, feel free to check our FAQs or ask our helpful advisers.