When it comes to driveways, road base, drainage projects and landscaping in general, it can be hard to know which material will provide the right look and durability. Thankfully for the Australian construction industry, two of the most common material options are crushed limestone and gravel, both of which come with their own set of pros and cons. Read on to find out everything you need to know about crushed limestone vs gravel-including cost, longevity and appearance.
What Is Crushed Limestone?
Crussed limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that is broken up into small pieces that are jagged. It is common in Australia to be used as pavers, driveways, footpaths, building foundations and a base material under asphalt. Limestone becomes self-binding when compacted as it consists of fine particles along with calcium carbonate, providing a reliable and long-lasting surface.
Another key feature of crushed limestone is that it can be compacted down to provide a much harder surface which feels more like concrete. This makes it popular as a path, driveway or in an arena used by horses.
What Is Gravel?
Gravel-a general term used to describe loose rock fragments, usually pebbles or larger. Unlike limestone, gravel is generally made up of a wide range of different types of rock, including granite, quartz and river stone, and do not bind together when driven together. Gravel has a well established reputation as an attractive, natural material and is ideal for use as a garden path, for decorative landscaping or as a drainage medium.
As gravel is available in a range of different colours, sizes and textures, it is often used for its visual variation. Due to its loose properties it is more likely to shift and disperse more than other materials, mainly when exposed to vehicles or high levels of foot traffic.
Durability and Compaction
In terms of durability, it is more suitable for crushed limestone as angular particles lock together and bind when compressed, creating a compact, high-density surface that has the ability to support significant weight for a sustained period of time. Therefore, it is widely utilized in driveways, car parks and access roads.
However, gravel does not compact as solidly so although bigger sizes of gravel can be quite stable, for vehicle use, it does tend to move around and settle particularly on slopes. With gravel driveways it is often necessary to top-up and rake regularly, over the years a well laid limestone base only needs to be redressed once however it becomes incorporated into the top layer.
Drainage and Water Management
When it comes to drainage, gravel is by far the best. Because of its dry, friable nature, water runs straight through. It is suitable for drainage trenches, French drains, or garden beds requiring excellent water runoff.
Limestone that has been crushed and compacted has much lower permeability. This is not ideal for drainage because it is a good thing in firm surfaces such as pathways and driveways because it has hardly any erosive action and is not washed away by the water. Gravel will be better if the concern is managing the water but limestone is better if the impression on the water resistant surface of a firm surface is needed.
Appearance and Aesthetic Appeal
Ultimately, aesthetics are subjective. Crushed limestone generally has a light, creamy white to grey colour so can create a uniform, fresh and clean look for driveways and pathways. Therefore crushed limestone is often used in new homes and commercial applications.
Nearly any colour and size of gravel can be purchased, from natural earth tones such as brown, reds, then moving on the greys and blues of some of the rock types. This variety means gravel is very popular for garden landscaping, feature pathways and decorative borders.
Cost Comparison
Price is a tricky one as it really depends on where you are buying from, and how much you need, and the local prices in your area. Roughly, it also depends on what you want to use the product for. As a rule of thumb, crushed limestone is cheaper than decorative gravel for those who want a reasonably cheap way to do a driveway or some sort of road base. However, if you are going for something fancy, decorative gravel, you will be paying quite a lot more, like river stones or coloured stone.
Remember to look at the prices over time. The shape and durability of crushed limestone means that it is more likely to stay in one place and not need replenishing than gravel, which has a tendency to scatter, move, and need refreshing over time. So, when considering the initial price for usage, take into account the ongoing costs as well.
Best Uses for Crushed Limestone
Crushed limestone is suitable for driveways, car parks, building pads, road base and equestrian arenas. Its excellent compaction ability and stability makes this material perfect for heavy use areas or entry/exit points in any project. Often used as a sub-base under pavers, asphalt or concrete it ensures the stability of the surface to prevent movement, cracking or running.
Best Uses for Gravel
Not ideal for use on the surface of a garden pathway or in high traffic areas, gravel is best utilized for creating borders, drainage trenches, low-tread areas for pedestrians or around water features and beds where it adds to the natural aesthetic.
Which One Should You Choose?
At the end of the day, this decision comes down to exactly what you want to use the surface for. If you are looking for a hard, stone hard wearing surface over a driveway, car park or other area that receives heavy vehicle traffic, then crushed limestone is more likely to be the best choice due to its superior compaction qualities and long term stability. If on the other hand you are looking for a material that will offer excellent drainage or decorative qualities in a garden, then gravel is perhaps more appropriate.
In numerous situations, a mix of the two formulas is effectively minimal; utilizing the crushed limestone as an underlying material and the gravel as an overlying dressing. That provides you with the strength of limestone and the visual freedoms of gravel.
Get Expert Advice and Reliable Delivery
Selecting the material is just the beginning - assured we will supply it on time and in the quantity you need. At Formula Transport we deliver quality crushed limestone, gravel and other aggregates for home, business or civil use around the state. Let us know what you are working on and we will help you select the right material and amount of material to get your project underway.
Whatever the scope of your project-whether you're constructing a new driveway, landscaping a garden or undertaking a large civil project, pick up the phone to our experts today and talk to us about your materials and delivery requirements.
FAQs
Is crushed limestone better than gravel for driveways?
Yes, crushed limestone forms a hard surface, close-grained and hard enough to withstand car traffic. Gravel is more likely to move around and would need to be topped up.
Which is cheaper, crushed limestone or gravel?
Crushed limestone is typically much cheaper, especially when bought in bulk. The prices of different colours or types of gravel range dramatically; the costs of decorative options like river pebbles is often far greater.
Does gravel drain better than crushed limestone?
Yes, the nature of the loose material of the gravel situated opens the chance for water to flow through it hence making it perfect for drainage trenches. On the other hand a limestone which has been compacted is less permeable and makes a perfect choice for solid and water resistant floors.
Can I use gravel for a driveway?
Yes, however it requires larger stone sizes as well as patrolling. Gravel driveways require increasing raking and topping up as they move with vehicles. This does not happen with compacted limestone.
How long does crushed limestone last?
Crushed limestone driveways can be maintained for several years after effective installation and compaction. When crushed limestone is used, binding between particles forms a concrete, erosion, and movement resistant surface.
What's the best material for garden paths?
If you want a simple, cheap and attractive garden path, gravel may be suitable, because of its many attractive colours and its good drainage. It is particularly suitable for quiet pedestrian areas; though not as stain resistant to traffic as other materials.
Can crushed limestone and gravel be combined?
Yes, this is not uncommon and many projects use crushed limestone as a compacted sub-base with gravel as the top dressings. This takes advantage of the strength of the limestone but gives an attractive finish with the gravel.
Where can I buy crushed limestone or gravel in bulk?
Formula Transport offers delivery of quality crushed limestone, gravel and general aggregates for residential, commercial and civil purposes. Call one of our dedicated team to talk about volumes and delivery for your project.
