Use cases of most common bulk materials

Construction and Foundation Aggregates

Gravel Base

A compacted layer of gravel base provides a stable, load-bearing foundation. Its interlocking nature prevents settling and shifting, distributing weight evenly and ensuring the longevity of the surface above.

• Use Cases: Driveways, patios, walkways, and shed foundations.
• Sourcing: Quarries blast and crush larger rock, then screen it to specific sizes.
• Keywords: gravel base, driveway gravel, compacted aggregate, road base, gravel foundation.

Stone Aggregate

Stone aggregate refers to a mix of crushed stone and sand, sorted into specific size grades. It is a foundational material that provides strength, stability, and volume to building materials.

• Use Cases: Concrete mixes, road building, drainage systems, and as a filler.
• Sourcing: Quarries blast and crush rock, then use a series of screens to sort it into different sizes, a process known as grading.
• Keywords: stone aggregate, concrete aggregate, road building material, drainage stone, quarry stone.

Crushed Stone

Often designated by a number (e.g., #2 crushed stone), this versatile material is known for its angular shape which locks together for stability.

• Use Cases: Drainage, driveways, base layers for concrete, and decorative landscaping.
• Sourcing: Quarry blasting and mechanical crushing. The stone is then screened to create uniform sizes.
• Keywords: crushed stone #2, #57 stone, drainage rock, driveway stone, base layer material.

Slag Rock

Slag rock is a dense, durable material that is a byproduct of the steel manufacturing process. Its affordability and darker color make it a popular alternative to traditional gravel.

• Use Cases: Driveways, pathways, and base layers.
• Sourcing: Recycled industrial waste from the steel industry.
• Keywords: slag rock for driveways, steel slag, recycled aggregate, affordable driveway material, eco-friendly stone.

Asphalt Millings

Asphalt millings are recycled pieces of old asphalt pavement. When compacted, they form a solid, durable, and cost-effective surface.

• Use Cases: Cost-effective driveways, rural roads, and road bases.
• Sourcing: Recycled from demolished roads and parking lots.
• Keywords: asphalt millings, recycled asphalt, milled asphalt, asphalt driveway, road base material.

Crushed Concrete

Also known as Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), crushed concrete is a sustainable aggregate made from recycling concrete from demolished structures.

• Use Cases: Base layers for driveways, roads, and building foundations.
• Sourcing: Recycled from demolished concrete structures.
• Keywords: crushed concrete, recycled concrete aggregate, concrete base layer, sustainable aggregate.

Erosion Control and Landscaping Materials

Riprap Stone

Riprap consists of large, angular rocks specifically designed for erosion control. The jagged edges and varied sizes interlock to dissipate the energy of water flow, protecting soil and preventing land loss.

• Use Cases: Shoreline stabilization, erosion control along riverbanks, and culvert protection.
• Sourcing: Mined or blasted from solid rock faces, then sorted by size.
• Keywords: riprap stone, erosion control rock, shoreline stabilization, drainage ditch stone, gabion rock.

Limestone Rock

A sedimentary rock, limestone is a versatile material with applications in both heavy construction and landscaping.

• Use Cases: Road construction (as a base and binder), cement production, and decorative landscaping.
• Sourcing: Formed over millions of years from marine sediments, then quarried, crushed, and screened.
• Keywords: crushed limestone, road base limestone, cement production, landscaping rock.

Topsoil

Topsoil is the nutrient-rich upper layer of soil essential for plant growth. It is screened to remove large debris and is crucial for creating new gardens and lawns.

• Use Cases: New lawns, gardens, leveling uneven ground, and filling.
• Sourcing: Harvested from agricultural land and screened to remove debris.
• Keywords: screened topsoil, bulk topsoil, garden soil, fill dirt.

Mulch Beds

Mulch is a protective layer of organic material. Its benefits include moisture retention, weed suppression, and soil temperature regulation.

• Use Cases: Garden beds, tree surrounds, and walkways.
• Sourcing: Recycled wood products, bark from sawmills, and other organic materials. Types include hardwood, pine bark, and dyed mulches.
• Keywords: mulch, hardwood mulch, pine bark mulch, dyed mulch, mulch delivery.

Sands and Finer Aggregates

Masonry Sand

Masonry sand, also known as mason sand, is a fine, washed, and screened sand. Its uniform grain size is critical for creating smooth, durable mortar and stable paver beds.

• Use Cases: Mortar for bricklaying, paver bedding, and in playgrounds.
• Sourcing: Quarried from sand deposits, then washed and screened for uniform grain size.
• Keywords: masonry sand, mason sand, paver sand, mortar sand, playground sand.

Concrete Sand 

 The backbone of durable structures. This coarse, angular sand provides excellent stability and is a key ingredient in concrete for patios, walkways, and foundations.

• Use Cases: Concrete mixing, paver base, and drainage.
• Sourcing: Crushed and filtered from granite, gneiss, or limestone.
• Keywords: concrete sand, coarse sand, paver base sand, aggregate sand.

Fill Sand

The compacting champion. Composed of fine particles, it's ideal for creating a stable, level surface for a variety of projects.

• Use Cases: Filling holes and trenches, backfilling foundations, and creating a compact base layer.
• Sourcing: Sourced from natural deposits and known for its high compaction rating.
• Keywords: fill sand, utility sand, compaction sand, leveling sand.

Play Sand

The safe and fun choice. This fine, soft sand is specially processed to be clean and non-toxic, making it ideal for recreational areas.

• Use Cases: Sandboxes, playgrounds, and beach volleyball courts.
• Sourcing: Processed and screened to remove impurities and ensure a soft, safe texture.
• Keywords: play sand, sandbox sand, white sand, safe play sand.

Decorative Stone and Boulders

Slate Gravel

Originating from metamorphic rock, slate gravel consists of decorative chips with natural color variations. Its flat shape and rich colors make it a popular choice for enhancing landscapes.

• Use Cases: Walkways, garden paths, and decorative ground cover.
• Sourcing: Mined from slate quarries.
• Keywords: slate gravel, decorative stone, slate chips, walkway material.

Meramec Rock

These are smooth, golden-brown river pebbles with a naturally rounded texture. Meramec rock is valued for its natural aesthetic and is sourced from the Meramec River region.

• Use Cases: Decorative garden beds, water features, and dry riverbeds.
• Sourcing: Sourced from riverbeds in the Meramec River region.
• Keywords: Meramec rock, river pebbles, decorative rock, landscape stone.

Boulder Rocks

Large boulder rocks are used to create focal points and define spaces in gardens. They can be sourced naturally from fields or quarried for specific shapes and stone types.

• Use Cases: Focal points, retaining walls, and natural barriers.
• Sourcing: Natural vs. quarried sources.
• Keywords: landscaping boulders, boulder rocks, garden focal points.

Decorative Boulders

These are boulders chosen for their specific aesthetic qualities, such as shape, color, and texture. Decorative boulders are integrated into landscape designs to add visual interest and a natural feel.

• Use Cases: Landscape design focal points, garden accents.
• Sourcing: Quarried from specific stone deposits (e.g., granite, limestone) to get desired colors and shapes.
• Keywords: decorative boulders, landscape design, colorful rocks, yard boulders.