Types of Gravel and How to Choose Them

Types of Gravel and How to Choose Them

When you’re looking to re-design or revamp your outdoor spaces, turn to Queensville Sod. We’ve developed the ultimate buying guide for gravel stones, including gravel types, a list of landscape stone ideas, and more. Read on to discover all that Queensville Sod has to offer as one of the top landscaping companies in the GTA.

What Are Gravel Stones?

Gravel stones are fragments of rock that can be smooth, rounded, angular, or irregularly shaped. They range in size from 2 to 64 millimetres and vary in colour from grey, brown, and tan to red, purple, and green. These stones are seen in landscaping, construction, and road surfacing. There are many types of gravel, each composed of various kinds of rocks, including granite, limestone, and sandstone.

Different Types of Gravel

Finding the best landscaping rocks for your needs begins with understanding the different types of gravel. Here is a list of common gravel and crushed stones:

 

  • River Rock: River stones are decorative rocks with smooth, rounded textures. They’re ideal for lining pathways and highlighting water features such as fountains.
  • Pea Gravel: Pea gravel landscaping stones have a great natural texture and colour, smooth surface for walking, and withstand heavy foot traffic.
  • Limestone Screening: Limestone screening is a crushed stone that’s incredibly versatile. It’s durable and provides a stable base that doesn’t shift or settle over time.
  • 3/4" Crushed Stone: 3/4" Crushed stone is often a base material for driveways, walkways, and patios. It creates a stable foundation for a wide range of hardscaping projects.

Best Ways to Use Landscape Stones

Queensville Sod can answer all your gravel stone questions, including “what is gravel used for?” and “how do you use gravel stones for landscaping?” As a decorative element, gravel stones enhance the appearance of outdoor spaces. You may see them in garden beds, walkways, and as decorative driveway borders. Aside from landscaping, gravel is used to make concrete, fill construction sites, and create materials including blocks, pipes, and bricks.

Here are some of the top ways to incorporate landscaping rocks into your yard:

  • Patio: Transform your backyard into the perfect spot for summer barbeques, with a beautiful pea stone gravel patio or limestone patio.
  • Landscaping: Landscape stones are attractive and low-maintenance, suitable for decorating decks, front yards, and backyards. Line decorative rocks around a pool, spread them underneath a stairway, or use them to create a sitting area.
  • Walkways: Gravel stones can act as borders for your pathways or function as the walkways themselves. You can use them along entry way steps, in combination with stepping stones, or as part of your driveway.
  • Garden Bed: You can’t go wrong with river stones for garden beds. In contrast to mulch, river rocks don’t decompose, attract pests, or support weed growth.
  • Firepit Nook: A gravel firepit nook is perfect for social gatherings. As opposed to grass, gravel stones also minimize the risk of a fire spreading if sparks jump out of the firepit.

Let’s Start Your Landscaping Project

At Queensville Sod, we offer competitive wholesale pricing, timely installation services, and an array of high-quality landscaping materials. Visit our online store today and explore our range of landscaping rocks and stones to spruce up your outdoor area.