There are a wide variety of practical applications for the use of gravel in Austin, TX in everything from decorative landscaping to creating concrete roads. When choosing what type of gravel to buy, the main considerations should be size and composition. The word gravel describes rock fragments categorized as everything from granule sized to boulder sized. The most commonly purchased varieties, however, are granule and pebble.
Historically gravel is a natural geological formation that results from the weathering or erosion of rocks, most commonly by water. Today modern technology has allowed for the increased production fo this useful substance through quarrying and crushing. This allows producers more control over what materials end up in their gravel.
Naturally occurring gravel can be broken down into a few main categories based on where it is found. Bank gravel is usually mixed in with sand or clay when found in natural deposits where they form next to streams and rivers. Bench gravel is crushed stone that can be found above the current level of a stream bottom, although it was formed there in the stream bed when water was at a higher level. Creek rock is usually composed of semi-polished rocks of various types. Piedmont gravel is of a coarser grade than its stream produced equivalents, having been carried down mountain streams and deposited at the bottom over time. Plateau gravel is found above the height of streams. Pea gravel is used in fabricating concrete and driveways and is composed of small rounded stones.
Commercial manufactured gravel in Austin, TX is crushed stone. This is most useful for application in roads and driveways. Manufacturing gravel allows for more control over the particulate size and quality of materials used. Fine gravel has a diameter of two to four mm. Lag gravel is much coarser and is left over after fine gravel is removed. Pay gravel or “pay dirt” has a high concentration of valuable gold and precious metals. It is not typically used in regular applications until after any valuable materials have been recovered. For limestone and river rock gravel as well as crushed stone, look into local producers such as Loftin Material.
