There is just nothing like gravel for a seating area around your fire pit – it’s an exceptional material that checks all the boxes.
For starters, gravel is inexpensive, drains well, and doesn’t require much maintenance, with the exception of sporadic weeds. Gravel has a rustic look that feels right in the landscape.
Building a gravel patio or seating area is no different (or more difficult) than any other sort of patio. Plus, small stones in gravel prevent heaving and cracking of the surface in the winter’s freeze and thaw, unlike solid surfaces.
But, wait we still need to discuss the types of gravel you can get.
1. Pea Gravel
Let’s take a closer look at our star: pea gravel, or more commonly referred to as pea stone. This is one of the most popular gravel materials and highly sought after in landscaping. The “pea” gravel is approximately the size of a pea, 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch. That is where it gets its catchy name.
These tiny little stones, are usually rounded with various color shades, such as grayish and browns.
Pea gravel offers more than just visual appeal. It has smooth edges and excellent drainage. Additionally, it adds a touch of value and beauty to your sitting area, and it will be an eye-catcher. Finally, and equally important, you will get the satisfying crunch underfoot; like music to your ears.
Now, given the shape and airspace in between, pea gravel can shift when you walk on it. Don’t fear, there is a remedy for this.
One trick is to use some mulch glue to hold the particles together so it sticks. And then use edging material, which could be steel edging or pressure-treated wood to keep the gravel compact and in place.
The average cost of picking up a bag of pea gravel would be between $3 and $7. If you are looking to cover a larger area, you might consider 1 cubic yard of pea gravel, which will cost from $50 to $200 range.
2.Decomposed Granite
Decomposed granite, also referred to as DG, is a fine gravel-like material that is much like sand except it has more fines, which are clay and silt sand, and larger pebbles mixed in.
Unlike sand, decomposed granite is much more stable. It compact easily to form a solid and stable surface. Walking on decomposed granite is nice and soft underfoot.
The problem is that loose material tends to stick to your shoe tread, so when it rains, it can track inside. Loose material tracked into the house can scratch your lovely hardwood floors.
Some suppliers mix in a binding agent, or some type of stabilizer to DG, which creates a more stable material and helps the tracking issue.
Just like pea gravel, decomposed granite comes in a variety of colors to suit your delight. You can find it in colors of red-brown, tan, and certainly some blue color options.
The price for decomposed granite can vary based on where you obtain it. But you are looking to pay between $80 – $200 per cubic yard.
If you would like the fancy resin coated decomposed granite, note that the price will go up as much as 50 – 100% compared to the non-stabilized version.
3. River Rock
People are fond of river rock or creek stone for its stunning ornamental properties. These stones were developed by water eroding the parent rock. They weathered and shaped those rocks into rounded stones.
These stones come in a variety of shades from cool gray, blue, tan, and brown.
To top it all off, these river rocks are soft underfoot, comfortable, and gentile on your feet.
The price of river rock can range depending on how it’s harvested. If you are buying in bulk, you can expect a price range of $100 to $700 per cubic yard.
4.Lava Rock
Lava rock is an abrasive and porous gravel that is best used to border your fire pit.
The size of lava rocks usually ranges from 1/8 to 2 inches. Regarding colors, you will find lava rocks available in shades of red, black, cool grays, browns, and mixed colors.
Some types of lava rocks will have rough edges while others will be smoothed.
The price for a cubic yard of lava rock can be anywhere from $150 to $300.
5.Crushed Stone
You might’ve heard of either crushed stone or crushed gravel. Crushed gravel is a byproduct of mechanically crushing rock such as limestone, slate, sandstone, trap rock, gneiss or granite!
When the rock is crushed into smaller jagged pieces they interlock into each other well to provide great drainage.
These rocks can come in many colors depending on their parent rock and range from gray, blue and even purple which is somewhat visually appealing!
But because of the jagged texture, it is not the best material to walk on barefoot; they serve best as a base or bedding material for laying pavers, bricks, flagstone or pouring concrete.
Crushed stone usually tends to be more affordable at about $50 per cubic yard!
6.Marble Chips
Marble chips are a by-product of the marble industry. Instead of letting the waste go to waste, they crush it up and give it a whole new chance at life.
These marble chips come in a wide range of colors. We’re talking white, black, rich browns, cream, cool greys, ivory, pinks, reds, yellows, and even silver.
However, marble chips have a rough texture. So, it’s best to keep your boots on when you’re stepping on these chips.
Now, marble chips are not the cheapest option on this list. They can be a bit pricey, going for over $150 per cubic yard.
7. Sand
Sand is basically the best, most reliable bedding material for laying down precast concrete pavers, cut stone, bricks, and flagstones where it provides a great stability while doing so.
However, sand is great at holding water which will create a slushy, messy situation. As the elements try to change things, sand will shift and create a mess. So, sand is a good choice for bedding material.
When it comes to saving money, sand will not break the bank! It is definitely a low-cost choice.