How to Choose Decorative Aggregates?

So, you want to enhance the look of your outdoors with decorative aggregates. However, after a quick Google search, you notice that there are countless types of aggregates to choose from… gravel, cobbles, pebbles, chippings, and the list goes on. This can quickly become overwhelming if you do not know what you are looking for. What are decorative aggregates? Also known as decorative stones, decorative aggregates are a popular landscape material to use for footpaths, driveways, patios, water features and a variety of other landscape projects. Related: Guide into decorative aggregates: Types of decorative aggregates. To make everything as easy as possible and to help you narrow down your search, we have put together an easy guide on how to choose decorative aggregates based on the type of application. Even though there are no hard fast rules when it comes to how each type of decorative aggregates should be used, there are aggregates that are better suited for specific applications, such as withstanding heavy trafficking, thus making these a better fit for driveways and footpaths. For driveways. Gravel, such as 20mm gravel, is the most popular type of aggregate used in driveways. Gravel driveways are affordable driveways which can be easily installed and require minimal maintenance. Plus, gravel driveways are long-lasting, durable and maintain natural drainage routes, meaning that the chance of flooding is minimised. Poor drainage is the number one cause of surface failure. So, it is essential to ensure good drainage for all your outdoor surfaces. Other gravels for driveways include 20mmm harvest gravel which consists of mainly angular stones mixed with some rounded stones, producing a hard-wearing surface. 20mm York cream chippings are also suitable for driveways due to their angular shape which ensures that the chippings do not move as much as rounded gravels. Other gravels for driveways include 20mmm harvest gravel which consists of mainly angular stones mixed with some rounded stones, producing a hard-wearing surface. 20mm York cream chippings are also suitable for driveways due to their angular shape which ensures that the chippings do not move as much as rounded gravels. For footpaths. For paths and walkways, it is essential to choose aggregates that are comfortable to walk on, such as self-binding gravel. This material features the natural effect of gravel but offers a firmer finish. Self binding gravel is often used for footpaths, woodland paths, bridleways, cycle paths and more. Our best-selling self binding gravels include Cotswold self binding gravel and Old English self binding gravel. These self binding gravels can be firmly compacted, resisting movement when trafficked. For footpaths leading towards your property, you might want looser aggregates that make noise when walked on. This is a great security feature for any house. 20mm pink granite chippings and 20mm Staffordshire pink gravel are two popular choices that can be used for this purpose. For gabion projects. Whether you require aggregates to create gabion walls or require aggregates for other types of gabion projects, we recommend purchasing gabion stone. Our gabion stones are suited to perfectly fit our gabion baskets and come in a variety of colours to suit your outdoor space. Some of our best-selling gabion stones include Dove grey gabion stone, York gabion stone and Rustic gabion stone. For general landscape projects. For any other type of landscape project, choosing the right type of aggregates comes down to personal preference. From rockeries to water features, there are thousands of different types of aggregates that might suit your needs. Some of our best-selling multipurpose aggregates include 20mm flamingo chippings, 20mm Dove grey limestone chippings and 20mm red granite chippings. To create more visually interesting features, you can also mix together a few different types of aggregates, from different sized aggregates to different coloured aggregates. If you require any assistance or professional advice, feel free to give our team a call today on 01234 831108.