Due to its extensive and diverse geologic history, New Haven County, Connecticut, has a wide range of mineral formation conditions and a long list of various minerals, with over 1000 open quarries. The most valuable mineral resources produced in New Haven County are gravel and crushed stone, which account for nearly half of the state’s stone output. Gravel is used in concrete aggregate (including concrete sand), road construction, fill, concrete products, and snow and ice control, while crushed stone from New Haven County is used in jetty and riprap stone. Although they both come from the same rock and come from the same stone quarries, these two items are manufactured differently and serve different purposes in landscaping and construction projects. Stone and gravel suppliers in New Haven County, CT, retain these two aggregates in separate categories because of their different manufacturing techniques, sizes, and uses when chatting with your neighborhood gravel supplier about the type to utilize for your construction project; keep these differences in mind.
Important differences
The term “crushed stone” is rarely used nowadays, and most people refer to both crushed stone and gravel as just gravel. Gravel and crushed stone, on the other hand, have significant variances, including:
Sources
Crushed stone is a product made by mining and crushing rock with equipment, whereas gravel is caused by natural weathering. Gravel is a fragmented rock derived from weathered rock deposits found in streams, rivers, and gravel pits. Gravel is a naturally occurring substance of weathering and erosion, although gravel may be mined in quarries that use the same crushing technology for crushed stone.
Shapes
Crushed stone has more angled surfaces as a result of the crushing process. Gravel has a rounder form than crushed stone because it is usually much smaller due to the natural wearing process. Crushed gravel, on the other hand, has a more angled shape.
Sizes
Crushed stone is available in various sizes, ranging from fine stone dust to bigger, heavier stones. Gravel is available in multiple sizes larger than 2 millimeters in diameter, ranging from approximately a quarter-inch to 2 inches or over.
Applications for aggregates
Crushed stone is most commonly used as an aggregate in construction projects. Crushed stone’s jagged surface makes it simple to tamp, roll, and shake into position, securing and making a stable surface. Crushed stone is also used for the following purposes:
- It’s used as a foundation for pavers, roadways, and driveways.
- Sub-base for roads, pavers, and driveways
- Fill for construction,
- Shoreline riprap for shoreline erosion,
- Ballast beds on railway tracks to provide traction.
- Cement
Gravel is more commonly utilized for aesthetic purposes because of its smooth, round surface and natural colors such as yellow, beige, blue, red, and grey. Gravel is useful for the following applications:
- Landscaping for decoration
- Beds for the garden
- Patios and patio foundations
- Walkways,
- Around stepping stones,
- Driveways and driveway foundations, as well as
- Drainage in flower beds and flower pots
What is the difference in price?
The price of gravel and crushed stone varies depending on where you reside, the type of product, and how much you require. It’s a smart option to get a material pricing quotation from your local stone and gravel supplier in New Haven County, CT, to determine how much each alternative would cost for your project. You’ll be able to sort out which option is the right choice for your venture.
Contact your local stone and gravel supplier for more details on these two materials and determine which is the best choice for your building project needs.
