Structural & Outdoor
Gravel / Aggregate
Crushed stone or rounded pebbles sold by size grade, used for pathways, drainage, driveways, and as a decorative garden mulch alternative.
Best for
- Driveways and informal paths
- Drainage layers under patios and French drains
- Low-water garden beds
Avoid when
- Areas where bare feet or wheelchairs need a smooth surface
- Under large trees, where raked gravel disturbs surface roots over time
Angular vs rounded changes how it behaves
Angular crushed gravel interlocks and compacts into a stable surface, good for driveways and paths. Rounded pea gravel looks softer but shifts underfoot and migrates on any slope — better suited to flat decorative areas than walkways.
Landscape fabric underneath, always
Gravel laid directly on soil mixes into mud within a season or two. A woven landscape fabric barrier keeps the stone layer clean and separate from the soil beneath, though it will need occasional weeding at the surface regardless.
Put this into practice
- Mulch CalculatorHow much mulch do I need for my beds?
More material guides
- Concrete MixA pre-blended mix of cement, sand, and gravel that only needs water added — the standard choice for footings, slabs, and post holes.
- Concrete PaversPrecast interlocking concrete units laid over a compacted base, used for patios, walkways, and driveways without pouring a slab.
- Natural Stone PavingQuarried flagstone, sandstone, or slate cut or left irregular for patios and paths, prized for a look no manufactured product fully replicates.