Gravel, sand and the base under it all
Driveway stone, drainage rock, paver base and mason sand. Stone is sold by the ton, and a ton is a smaller pile than most people picture.
Which stone does what
Crusher run is crushed granite with the fines left in. It packs down hard and it is what goes under a driveway or a shed pad. Washed stone has the fines rinsed out, so water runs straight through it. That is why it goes in French drains and around a foundation pipe, and why it will never pack into a firm surface.
Granite screenings are the fines on their own. They screed flat and they are the leveling course under pavers and flagstone. Mason sand is finer and cleaner than concrete sand, and it is the one you want for mortar and for setting brick.
- Crusher run for drives, pads and base
- Washed stone for drainage and pipe bedding
- Screenings under pavers, mason sand for mortar
Ordering stone by the ton
A ton of crusher run spread two inches deep covers roughly 100 square feet. A single car driveway 10 feet wide and 60 feet long, topped two inches, is around six tons. New construction over bare ground wants four inches and a compacted base, which doubles it.
A ton is about two thirds of a cubic yard by volume, so a ton of stone is a pile a good bit smaller than a ton of mulch. If you have only ever bought mulch, expect the load to look small and weigh a lot.
Getting it home
One ton is about all a half ton pickup should take, and it will feel like plenty. Trailers rated under 3,500 pounds should stay under a ton and a half once you count the trailer. Anything past that is a delivery, and the truck can put it where the work is.
Tell the driver whether the pile can go on the drive or needs to sit on the shoulder. Loose stone dumped on grass will still be turning up in the mower two summers later.
Not sure which stone?
Say what it is going under and we will name the one that belongs there.
What Gaston County says
Every quote below is a real review, word for word, from our Google profile.
I called this morning looking for prices on some mulch and expected to have to wait a few days for delivery. I spoke with Melissa and she helped me figure out how much I needed and quoted a very reasonable price and told me I could get it delivered in half an hour! Mac was soon in my driveway with a truckload of mulch. He drove that truck right up to my flower bed and dumped it right where I needed it.
I'm born and raised here, so I've known about AJ's for probably the last 30 years or more, but have never worked with them until now. They are awesome to work with. When you call them, you don't get a recording. They answer the phones and provide great insight and advice for the project.
This long established business continues to provide quality products for a reasonable price. The second generation is also involved and he delivers quickly, efficiently and never fails to treat customers respectfully.
Always great, the lady on the phone is always pleasant and soooo friendly, she is patient answering questions and helpful, the delivery guy is always friendly, he even dump my gravel in diff spots to make it easier to spread.
AJ will forever be my place and will always be the first place i recommend. I have begged my husband for years to fill an area in my garden with river rock. He was able to do that yesterday with the help of AJ's!
Great family owned and operated business. Honest, insightful and helpful in every aspect.
Think you have a problem up there? We will look at it, free.
Crusher run for the base and the surface if you want it to pack. Some people top a packed base with a thin layer of washed 57 stone for looks, and it will move under tires, so keep it thin.
About 100 square feet at two inches deep, and about 50 at four inches. Depth is what moves the number, so decide the depth before you count the tons.
Yes, along with decorative stone and boulders. Those are on the river rock page because they are priced and picked differently than driveway stone.
Bring the measurements of the area, or a photo of it, and we will tell you. If gravel, sand and screenings is not what the job wants, we say so and point you at what does.
Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM; Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM; Sunday Closed. Outside those hours use the form and we answer the next working day.
Since 1982.
Tell us the area, we will work out the yards
Call the yard, or send the measurements and the material you had in mind.
- Monday to Friday8 AM to 4 PM
- Saturday8 AM to 2 PM
- SundayClosed