Your outdoor space gives the first impression regarding your personality and taste. How well you set up the path and driveways surrounding your home or garden will greatly affect the aesthetic appeal and property value. To most people, gravel and concrete are the standard materials when paving their walkways and driveways runs. But in this article, we will discuss a growing trend that serves the same purpose at a cheaper rate and adds aesthetic value - Decomposed Granite.
Decomposed granite or DG requires no prior knowledge to install, and most DIY fanatics find it fun to use it. Still, we recommend having a professional install it so you do not run into issues and have it properly installed. This material is fully permeable, and if well stabilized, it is able to withstand erosion. Read on to get better insights from The Landscape Expert on this latest trend Drought Tolerant Foliage.
What is Decomposed granite?
Edible Garden Decomposed granite is a finer, yet firmer version of gravel. As the name suggests, DG is one of the natural granite derivatives. Immediately after the granite erodes, and weathers, it slowly starts to flake and crumble away from the parent source to form the Decomposed granite. After a successful decomposition, landscapers then grind the final product to meet their preferred sizes. The final product varies in color from brown to buff with several other shades of red, green, black or gray, making it the perfect blend for most exteriors.
Uses of the Decomposed Granite (DG)
- Pathways: DG is commonly used on pathways in both commercial and residential places. The DG brings a more rustic and natural feel that blends perfectly with all exteriors. It’s highly permeable and hence, users don’t have to worry about flooding or runoffs in their homesteads;
- Patio: Compared to other materials, the DG gives the patio a stable and harder surface. The project takes very minimal time and is cheaper than other hardscape materials like pavers and concrete. A stabilized DG is the most common type for this purpose, but the resin is also an option for people seeking durability;
- Artificial turf base: Artificial turf bases require a good base material to serve its purpose right. Decomposed granite, in this case, is the best bet, thanks to its gravel structure that easily breaks down and conforms to the ground. In addition, the DG is very easy to install and requires little labor and finances;
- Garden bed: If you need an eco-friendly and low maintenance garden, the decomposed granite works magic. The natural DG is chemical free, reducing any harm on the plants. Its permeable nature eases water penetration to the ground, hence, curbing floods. Owing to its multiple color collection, you can select the color that will perfectly complement the exteriors of the house involving the project.
Apart from landscaping, decomposed granites are also used for several other purposes like sports surfaces, mulching purposes and on driveways of hotels.
Types of Decomposed Granites
Three forms of Decomposed Granites are common among landscapers. They include loose DG, Stabilized DG, and DG with resin. Loose DG: This is the cheapest type of DG. It is the basic form of Decomposed Granite with no additives. It is mostly used for landscape mulching, patios, playgrounds or garden paths, and provides perfect drainage. However, compared to other forms, loose DG is the most unstable and is easily eroded. For this reason, you are advised not to use it around your houses, especially if you have wooden flooring because it may damage the floor. Additionally, during heavy rains, loose DG pathways are always mushy and muddy. Stabilized DG: Stabilized DG is a compound of Decomposed granite and a stabilizer. The DG is more expensive than the loose DG, but it’s still an affordable option. When laid, the stabilized DG resembles the loose DG, but on the peripheral, it is firmer and less affinitive to erosion. This, in turn, increases its life span, hence, reducing the maintenance cost. The DG is common in homes, where there is limited movement. The stabilized DG is less muddy during heavy rains compared to loose DG. You can order the loose DG and stabilize it on your own, or better still, buy the already stabilized DG that is cheaper and less laborious. DG with resin: This is the best type of decomposed granite, and also the most expensive. When the resin is added to the DG, the surface created resembles an asphalt surface and is popularly called the poly pavement. The resin DG is the strongest and most durable, making it a perfect match for driveways or high capacity paths. It doesn’t look as authentic as the stabilized or loose DG, but you can be sure of its durability. Its firm nature completely curbs erosion and tracking, hence reducing its maintenance fee. However, its drainage is downright poor compared to loose and stabilized DG.
How to Stabilize the DG
There are very cheap options to stabilize your decomposed granites. You can choose to either use a stabilizer solution that is readily available on all landscaping stores or online shops or use organic-lock which is one of the natural binders. More to giving your DG a durable touch, the stabilizer comes as a perfect alternative to asphalt, concrete that look less natural, and still impermeable.