Decomposed Granite for Paths, Patios and Xeriscape Beds

Why fines content matters

Decomposed granite compacts because the fine material binds the coarser grains. Screen too much of it out and the path scatters underfoot; leave too much in and it turns to mud in rain. We hold the fines percentage to the band you approve on the sample.

Depth and coverage

Most paths use 50–75 mm compacted in two layers. As a working guide, one tonne covers roughly 10–12 square metres at 50 mm. Send the area and we will convert it into tonnage and container quantity.

Colour behaviour wet and weathered

Golden decomposed granite darkens to a rich tan when rained on and dries back within hours in most climates; the grey and rose grades show less contrast wet-to-dry, which is why golden is the most requested tone for schemes where the path is seen after rain as often as in sun.

Bagging and retail versus bulk supply

Decomposed granite is heavier per bag than pebbles at the same volume because it packs tighter, so we load fewer 20–25 kg bags per pallet than for an equivalent pebble product — worth knowing when comparing freight cost per bag across product lines rather than per tonne.

A common installation mistake

Compacting decomposed granite in one thick pass instead of two thinner layers. A single 75 mm pass often leaves the base loose; two 35–40 mm passes, each compacted before the next, give a firmer, longer-lasting surface for the same material cost.

Container loading and tonnage per shipment

Decomposed granite is denser per bag than most pebble products because the fines pack tightly, so a 20ft container of bulk material typically lands 27–28 tonnes, at the upper end of what most stone products achieve in the same container. Buyers comparing landed cost per tonne against pebble or gravel products should factor this higher payload into the calculation, since it usually improves the per-tonne freight economics.

Edging and containment for compacted paths

Decomposed granite paths need a firm edge restraint — timber, steel or stone edging — set slightly below the finished path height, since the compacted surface will otherwise creep and spread at the margins under foot traffic and rain runoff. Without an edge, the path narrows over a season or two as material migrates into adjoining beds or lawn, requiring more frequent top-ups than a properly contained path.

Sample and batch consistency checks

Because the fines percentage decides whether decomposed granite compacts properly, we test a sample from each production run against the approved fines band before it ships, not just against colour. A batch with too few fines can look identical to the sample but fail to compact on site, so the mechanical test matters as much as the visual one for this particular product.

Wholesale, bulk and export details

This product is supplied on the same commercial basis as the rest of our range: quantity confirmed against container payload, packing quoted separately and documentation prepared to your broker's brief.

Questions buyers ask about decomposed granite

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Where we ship decomposed granite

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