Aggregates play a vital role in all aspects of landscaping, gardening, and construction. Whether you’re installing a new driveway, renovating a garden or preparing a building site, you’ll want a variety of these products. As a result, understanding which ones are right for certain situations can be extremely helpful. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on the different types of aggregates to help shed some light on the matter.
What Are Aggregates?
Aggregates are different grades of crushed stone and sand. They come in a variety of sizes, mixes and amounts to help with whatever job is at hand. Whether it’s a sub base for a patio or a road base for a motorway, aggregates are used constantly around the UK. They’re even mixed into products such as tarmac and concrete for strength and bulk.
The Different Types Of Aggregate
Although at a quarry, there are a variety of different grades of aggregate, there are only three main types. These are:
- Crushed rock
- Sand
- Gravel
However, just asking for sand at a builders merchant won’t be very useful, just like gravel and crushed rock, as different blends, types and sizes are more appropriate for certain jobs, as we cover below.
How To Choose The Right One
Choosing the right aggregate for your job will depend on what you’re doing. A finer aggregate is used for domestic concrete work, whereas the coarser blend will be more appropriate for sub-base. Additionally, there are different grades of stone for different jobs.
For example, when creating a base for a road or driveway, you’ll want to use a larger stone first to lay a solid foundation. From there, you will use smaller stones and finer blends to create layers that bind, eventually leading to either a concrete or tarmac foundation on top or a different style of driveway finish.
Contact Evans Plant Hire For Quality Aggregates
For a range of high-quality aggregate products, get in touch with Evans Plant Hire. We stock only the best to ensure our customers are left with satisfaction and long-lasting construction. To find out what we have on offer, give us a call today.
