Aggregate is an attractive and affordable material to upgrade your garden or driveway. With many online guides being written for civil engineers, we’re making this popular material easier to understand for people diving into some DIY projects. Whether you’re building an extension or enhancing your facade, if you want to know what options are available for your home improvement projects, you’re in the right place.
What Are Aggregates?
Aggregates is an umbrella term for natural materials that can be used to surface driveways or decorate garden spaces, such as flower beds, walkways and potted plants. Think sand, gravel and crushed stone. When mixed with cement, they are also key components of concrete and asphalt – popular garden patio and driveway materials.
Main Types Of Aggregates
Below, we’re looking at aggregates in their gravel or sand form, their various uses and including the benefits of each type to help you make the right choice for your project. For jargon-free advice on picking the right aggregates for your domestic renovation, look no further.
Pea Shingle
Pea shingle is a versatile aggregate offering both decorative and functional uses. It can be used to cover soil on potted plants, as a garden border or pathway, or even as bedding for drainage systems. It’s a low maintenance, attractive choice composed of small, rounded stones that are typically grey or brown.
Limestone
Made exclusively of calcium carbonate, limestone was used to build some of Britain’s most beautiful buildings, including the golden houses of Georgian Bath and the traditional stone walls of the Yorkshire Dales. There are many benefits to choosing limestone. Firstly, it’s an affordable aggregate, especially when purchasing bulk quantities, and makes an attractive choice for a garden border, pathway, driveway or concrete mix. It also has good drainage qualities.
Granite Type 1
Composed of small, angular pieces of stone, granite type 1 is most commonly found on driveways and walkways. One of the reasons it’s so popular is due to its fantastic levels of drainage, meaning that when it rains (as it does a lot in Britain), you won’t have to worry about the water collecting too much on the surface. It’s also good at preventing weeds from growing.
Choosing The Right Aggregates For Your Project
Where an aggregate is sourced and how it is processed will impact its quality. The pieces should look consistent. Make sure the particles are clean and dry, especially if you’re intending to use them in a cement mix.
Order Your Aggregates
Ely Skip Hire has been a family run business since 1985, and we have developed a strong reputation for delivering aggregates of consistently high quality to our customers. Not sure which aggregate you need? Speak to our expert team for guidance.
