How to Choose The Right Aggregate for Your Project

AT AWBS we have a wide range of aggregates and construction gravels, suited to many different outside projects. From creating a seating area in the garden, to a hardwearing and cost-effective driveway or path, aggregates are exceptionally versatile.

But, with many different types of aggregates available, for use in different applications, how do you know which is best for your particular task and how much you’re going to need?

This guide to aggregates aims to give you a better understanding of your options, and help you make the right choice for your setting and budget. And, by using our handy aggregate calculator, you can find out exactly how much you’re going to need for your project.

The different types of aggregate

Firstly, let’s look at the different kinds of aggregates and gravels we supply and what their specific uses are.

Sand for Building

There are various types of sand, each being suitable for its own specific building, construction or landscaping use.

Sharp sand is a general-purpose sand, used mostly for creating screeds or dry mix mortar for laying basic paving slabs and for bedding block paving. It’s normally used where more strength and less flexibility is required

Mixed building sand is a standard building sand, used for creating wet mortar for patios. If you’re using any natural stone products, like patio slabs for a driveway, we recommend you use our 50/50 mixed building sand.

Soft building sand is used as mortar for walling.

Ballast, gravel and hardcore

Ballast is a mixture of sharp sand and small stones or gravel, used to make concrete for a variety of landscaping uses – from path edgings and shed bases to kerbs and securing fence posts. We also supply recycled ballast as part of our Eco-Range.

MOT Type 1 (hardcore) is crushed carboniferous limestone, used to create a hardcore base under patios, paving, driveways and artificial grass. It can also be used as a filling product.

Local shingle is a cost-effective shingle, ideal for many uses from paths to driveways and borders. We also have recycled shingle available in our Eco-Range, which is screened and washed and suitable for pipe work, bedding and as gravel for drainage.

Gravel for driveways

Gravel is easy to install and provides an attractive texture, ideal for informal landscapes, short-term paving solutions, and gardens built on limited budgets. If you’re using gravel for driveways, you should choose self-binding gravel, like our limestone path gravel. Self-binding gravel doesn’t move like ordinary loose gravel, making it the ideal choice for driveways, path surfacing and areas that require wheelchair access.

AWBS’s handy aggregate calculator

Our aggregate calculator helps you estimate how much aggregate you’ll need for your particular project. By simply adding the width, length and depth of the area, you can quickly see how many tonnes will be required, and how many bags of aggregate this equates to.

Bulk aggregates for every project

At AWBS we have our own dedicated aggregate bagging plant, so we’re able to supply bulk aggregates as well as small bags of sand and gravel, for every type of building or landscaping project.

We offer free local sand, gravel, shingle, ballast and hardcore delivery within 25 miles of each of our three branches, in Swindon, Oxford and Yarnton. We can also arrange loose construction aggregate loads of you require larger quantities.

To find out more about our range of aggregates, please contact us or visit your local AWBS branch.