What Can You Use Gravel For?
Gravel is sometimes referred to more generically as simply rock or stone and comes in a variety of sizes and colors and overall looks, depending on where it originates from and how it is categorized. In general, the material is comprised of rock fragments or complete rocks that are relatively consistent in size. Unlike crushed stone, these rocks or rock fragments have a smooth texture and surface and are formed naturally from the weathering and erosion of larger rocks.
Despite the fact that gravel can range in size from what is called granular or pebble-sized to the size of boulders, the general weight of a cubic yard of the material is generally fairly consistent, clocking in at about 2,700 – 2,800 pounds. Colors can vary from being fairly uniform among individual rocks within the same grouping to containing a wide spectrum of colors and shades.
This common building and landscaping material has a variety of outdoor uses, with two of the most common types used around NJ and NY being pea gravel and river gravel.
- Pea gravel – This variety consists of small rounded stones that, as the name implies, are about the size of a pea. The stones have a smooth texture and typically come in a color mixture that includes yellow, gold, beige, tan, white and gray. They provide a bright and relatively uniform look that is common to spot among exterior landscaping and hardscaping elements. The 3/8” variety is what most closely resembles the size of peas, while there is also an option to get the stones in a slightly larger size (3/4”). The material is commonly used in the construction of patios, walkways, driveways, dog runs and playgrounds. It is also often found as a decorative landscaping element in gardens and other landscape designs. This type may also be used as a sub-surface in the installation of gas tanks or to fill old gas tanks at gas stations.
- River gravel – This type is naturally found in and near rivers and streams and comes in an array of mixed colors, from shades of white and gray to reds, beiges, browns and golds. You can select this material in a wide array of size options, from 1/4” up to about 20” or more. The type of project you are using the material for will help determine the size you need, with most rocks being relatively consistent in size within the mix, although as you get into the larger sizes, you will find less uniformity in size and shape. As with the pea variety, river gravel can be used during the construction of patios, walkways, driveways, dog runs and playgrounds, and can also be used as a landscaping accent in gardens and overall landscape designs. Unlike the more consistent yellow-gold look of pea gravel however, the darker and mixed color variations creates a very different look to the finished surface. The larger sized rocks also offer a very different appearance than the smaller sized stones and look more like individual rocks than what most people think of when they think of gravel. ATAK Trucking offers this variety in the following sizes: 1/4”, 3/8”, 3/4″, 1 – 3”, 2 – 5”. 4 – 8” and 6-20”.
For more information about the various types and sizes of gravel available for bulk delivery in NJ and Staten Island, contact ATAK Trucking at 917-912-2900.