Why choose decomposed granite over pea gravel for a path?
Decomposed granite makes a firmer path than pea gravel, because its blend of fine grit and small chips binds together once it is wetted and rolled. Pea gravel never binds; it stays loose and rolls. That difference makes DG easier going for wheelbarrows, strollers, patio chairs and anyone a little unsteady on their feet.
| Material | What it is made of | After compaction | How water behaves | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decomposed granite | Granite chips, grit and dust | Binds into a firm, walkable surface | Some soaks in, the rest runs off; softens where water stands | Paths, patios, seating areas, xeriscape |
| Pea gravel | Rounded stones about 3/8 inch, no fines | Stays loose; does not pack | Drains straight through | Play areas, dog runs, casual walkways |
| Road base | Crushed rock with fines, coarser pieces | Compacts very hard | Sheds water when crowned | The layer under DG, drives and pads |
| Mason sand | Fine, clean sand | Will not hold a walking surface alone | Drains through | Bedding flagstone and pavers, mortar |
Most DG paths sit on a layer of crushed road base that compacts hard, and flagstone set into a DG patio usually beds on mason sand for flagstone and pavers. Both come from the same supplier as the DG.
Where does decomposed granite hold up in a North Texas yard?
Decomposed granite holds up best on level ground with foot traffic but no standing water, such as garden paths, patios and xeriscape beds. Under shade trees and around fire pits it gives a clean, earth-toned floor, and in a hot Grayson County summer it shrinks the stretch of lawn that needs watering.
DG asks for three things: a firm base, a little fall to shed rain and a few passes with a roller.
- Garden pathsA compacted DG path stays smooth enough for a loaded wheelbarrow and does not scatter into the flower beds the way loose stone tends to.
- Patios and fire pitsChairs sit level on packed DG, and around a fire pit it gives a mineral floor that will not catch a stray ember the way dry turf can.
- Xeriscape bedsSpread between native and drought-hardy plants, DG replaces thirsty grass and keeps a tidy look through a dry August.
- Low spots: fix firstWhere rain collects, DG turns soft and washes. Solve the drainage before laying it, or use a coarse drain rock in that one spot.
What goes under a decomposed granite path on Grayson County clay?
Under a decomposed granite path on Grayson County clay, a compacted layer of crushed base does most of the work. Local clay swells when it is wet and shrinks and cracks as it dries, so DG laid straight on top tends to rut and hold puddles. A base layer and solid edging keep the surface flat.
Typical build-up for a foot path. Paths that carry a mower or cart need a thicker base.
- Dig out and shapeRemove grass and roots to the depth of both layers, and give the path a slight cross slope so rain runs off one side.
- Set the edgingSteel, stone or timber edging goes in before any material, so the layers have walls to compact against.
- Compact the baseSpread the crushed base, dampen it and run a plate compactor or roller until it no longer shows footprints.
- Lay DG in thin liftsAdd the DG an inch or so at a time, mist it and compact each lift. Thin passes pack far tighter than one deep layer.
These are the usual steps for whoever builds the path; HARDROCK supplies both the decomposed granite and the road base. Some DG is sold "stabilized," with a binder mixed in that hardens it further and cuts down on washing and tracking. Ask HARDROCK which kind is available when you call.
How much decomposed granite does a patio take?
A 12 by 14 foot patio laid with 3 inches of decomposed granite takes about 1.6 cubic yards. Multiply length by width by depth in feet and divide by 27, then order a little extra, because DG loses some height as it is compacted. HARDROCK runs the figure with you on the phone before anything is ordered.
The base underneath is figured the same way. The same 12 by 14 patio with 4 inches of crushed road base needs 56 cubic feet, a little over 2 cubic yards, so this patio calls for nearly four cubic yards of material in total, not one and a half.
Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27
- Patio length
- 14 ft
- Patio width
- 12 ft
- DG depth
- 0.25 ft (3 in)
- DG needed
- ≈ 1.6 yd³
14 × 12 × 0.25 = 42 cubic feet. 42 ÷ 27 = 1.56 cubic yards, before the compaction allowance.
What do HARDROCK customers around Sherman say?
HARDROCK Sand and Gravel customers post their reviews on Google, and the most recent are shown below. Beside them is a flagstone patio from HARDROCK's photo collection: stone set with fine tan material in the joints around a square fire pit, the kind of outdoor floor that DG and mason sand go into.
HARDROCK has been in business since 2016 under owner Dean Jones, and it covers Sherman, Denison and the rest of Grayson County with eight bulk materials plus driveways, house pads, ponds and land clearing. Every one of them is listed on the HARDROCK services overview.
HARDROCK on Google: Grayson County reviews
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JJ W3 months ago
Excellent experience working with Dean, he went out of his way to get me the material i was needing. Top notch customer service. I would highly recommend giving Hardrock Sand and Gravel a call!
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Frisco Grass Guys LLC5 months ago
Top-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
Read moreTop-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
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Robert Holt9 months ago
Great service. Leo the driver was very friendly and courteous. Also spoke with the owner, Dean. He was very friendly and gave me some great information. Great job!!!!!!!!!
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Clyde Roberts11 months ago
Super helpful, on time delivery and informative. I would highly recommend
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Tami Beattya year ago
Couldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
Read moreCouldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
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Dustin Szumowskia year ago
Great driver and solid prices! Worked with us in to get all the aggregate we needed for the project! Phenomenal communication! That was the biggest pet for us with all the moving pieces of this project.
Reviews are shown as written on Google. See all 24 on Google
What should you know before ordering decomposed granite?
Three decomposed granite questions come up most with HARDROCK Sand and Gravel: whether the load can come to a given address, which unit the price is quoted in, and how a finished DG path stands up to a North Texas downpour.
Can HARDROCK deliver decomposed granite to my address?
HARDROCK Sand and Gravel delivers decomposed granite in Sherman, Denison and throughout Grayson County. Call 903-420-0330 with the street address and the square footage of the path or patio, and the cost and drop-off day are worked out during that conversation.
Is decomposed granite sold per ton or per cubic yard?
HARDROCK Sand and Gravel quotes decomposed granite by phone rather than listing a rate online, because quantity and distance both change the total. Run the patio numbers above first, then ring 903-420-0330 and ask which unit the quote is in.
Will a decomposed granite path wash out in heavy rain?
A well-built DG path with edging, a compacted base and a slight cross slope handles ordinary rain. Fast runoff crossing the path is what carries the fine grit away, so send gutter water and uphill drainage around it, and top-dress any thin spots after a big spring storm.
