subject: Decorative aggregates are available in a wide selection of shapes [print this page] Decorative aggregates are available in a wide selection of shapes
Decorative aggregates are available in a wide selection of shapes, sizes, colours and materials, ranging from Cheshire pink garden gravel which is pink, white and black in colour, to plum or blue slate chippings. They are the ideal choice for garden landscaping and can be used almost anywhere from a gravel driveway to a patio. Most decorative stone and chippings in use in the UK will have been quarried in the UK; however imported decorative aggregates can also offer some striking looks and different colours, despite being considered as less cost-effective than British garden gravel.
Decorative stone and chippings are an excellent, low-cost, low-effort way to break up a space when you are planning your garden landscaping, and are also useful on patios, plant or flowerbeds as garden gravel or in gravel driveways.
Size is a key factor to consider when choosing which decorative aggregates to use. It is advisable to use aggregates between 10 millimetres and 20 millimetres in size. 6 millimetre garden gravel is common, however it is not generally advisable as feline neighbours may mistake your new decorative feature for a giant litter tray, whereas larger size decorative aggregates are less likely to be used for this "purrpose" and will probably be a better size for use underfoot and on areas such as a gravel driveway.
When planning a gravel driveway, slate chippings make good decorative aggregates, as this type of material interlocks and there is less of a tendency for it to move around the way conventional garden gravel tends to, due to its rounded quality. It is also important to ensure your decorative aggregates are laid to an adequate depth ideally double the size of the aggregate itself. So if for example you are using 20 millimetre size garden gravel, it should be laid at a depth of 40 millimetres.
When looking for decorative stone and chippings for aquatics purposes, it is vital to be aware of which materials will not upset the PH balance of the water. You should be able to seek advice from any good decorative aggregates retailer, but as a general rule, marble, slate or slate chippings and sandstone materials can be used with aquatics, while any form of limestone should not be used and will result in unhappy fish and pond life. It is also recommended that decorative aggregates be rinsed thoroughly before use in ponds or fish tanks, as stone can rub together creating dust in its packaging in transit. When planning garden landscaping, aggregates can also be used to surround pond areas.
There are many options to consider when buying decorative stone and chippings in terms of packaging and delivery. These not only affect the cost of the decorative aggregates you are purchasing but also how practical it will be to lay the materials. Decorative aggregatescan be delivered in a number of ways. Using a tipper vehicle might be the most practical option for covering a gravel driveway, for instance. How they are delivered also depends on the quantity you are purchasing.
