Just what is Crushed stone? You’ve probably heard someone mention that they use it in their landscaping, but you were too embarrassed to admit your ignorance.
Well, be embarrassed no more! This handy article is going to spell out the uses and benefits of crushed stone for, well, your benefit. Next time you visit your local dealer of natural stone you’ll be so educated that the dealer will be impressed.
What is crushed stone?
The concept of crushed stone is quite simple and is described by its title. Crushed stone is mechanically produced. It occurs when crushing machines take a rock deposit and crushes it up to a specified size. The resulting bits of rock are angular and sharp-edged, setting them apart from other types of small stone. Crushed stone is the basic element of most construction projects involving concrete or asphalt. In most instances, it shares its uses with those of other landscaping elements, such as lining pathways and walkways, and as garden mulch for cactus and rock gardens, among some other uses within landscaping projects. Crushed stone is quite the useful rock!
What is the difference between crushed stone and gravel?
When you talk about lining your driveway or walkways, you usually talk about gravel, not crushed stone, although many people end up with crushed stone without realizing it. Gravel is naturally produced by a process like weathering or erosion, and the finished product is rounded in shape. Pea gravel is an example of gravel that is known for its round shape made that way by nature, not a machine. Pea gravel stones are typically smaller than crushed stone pieces, and it has a more pleasing appearance. They are mainly used interchangeably in a landscape. The basic difference between crushed stone and gravel is the process by which they are created and their ultimate shape. Both can be obtained from dealers of natural stone.
When to Use Crushed Stone: 7 Commercial Uses
Now we get to the important stuff: how is crushed stone generally used? With seven suggestions(some landscaping related and some not), we are sure you’ll better understand the scope of crushed stone.
- As a base material for paving blocks and concrete. Used for sidewalks, driveways, patios, homes, office buildings, and paved roads.
- When mixed with a binding agent, it is used in asphalt. It functions as a filler or extender in driveways and paved roads.
- Ground use in commercial and residential landscapes. Commonly used surrounding trees and around drains among other uses.
- Used in self-contained septic systems.
- Used to treat toxic substances such as acid water or coal dust in mines.
- Used in the production of agricultural lime, which functions to reduce acidity in farming soil.
- Lastly, crushed stone is used as grit in poultry food. Without the friction that grit produces in the throats of all kinds of poultry, they can’t digest food properly.
We know this list is mainly about the commercial uses of crushed stone, but we hope we have given you the bigger picture so that you can be more aware of what crushed stone does ,which in turn helps you better landscape your Nashville garden (or yard).
Do you use crushed stone?
Do you have crushed stone in your Nashville landscape? Maybe just in your driveway? Perhaps lining garden pathways or as a layer of mulch around a tree? Crushed stone is used by the average consumer in these ways, but you can see more domestic uses of crushed stone here. Whether it is used commercially or in landscaping, crushed stone is a very versatile rock type.
Do you buy crushed stone for your home? Have you used it to mix concrete, or in any other ways we have mentioned today? We want to know about your experience with crushed stone. Leave a comment below.
The post Taking the Mystery Out of Crushed Stone appeared first on The Rock Place.
