Estimating the Amount of Gravel You Will Need for Home Improvement Projects
When a quarry or stone supplier sells gravel by the ton or fraction of a ton, you may have a difficult time estimating how much gravel you need. Home improvement projects involving gravel are difficult to envision in gravel tonnage, and it would help to have some visual aid or verbal description. Here is a description of what various amounts of gravel will do for your projects.
The Quarter Ton
A quarter ton of gravel covers anywhere from a few square feet to less than ten square feet depending on the size of the gravel. Pea gravel covers more, and large, chunky gravel covers less. This is the biggest reason for pre-measuring the areas you want to cover with gravel before you order it. It is better to have too much gravel than not enough. Additionally, most heavy-duty pick-up trucks can carry close to a quarter ton of gravel, so you could pick up your gravel order yourself if you have a truck.
The Half Ton
The half ton of gravel covers twice as much ground as the quarter ton. You will, however, need assistance getting this much gravel to your property/residence, which is why quarries and stone suppliers suggest and/or offer delivery of your order. As a visual, the half ton looks like a small hill of gravel in your driveway, roughly a few feet high and several feet wide at the base.
The Full Ton
The full ton requires a dump truck like The Dirt Hauling Doozie for delivery. There is no other way to get this much gravel to your property by yourself. Some quarries and stone suppliers may throw in delivery with the purchase price of a ton of gravel, so that does help. The full ton will lay the foundation for a fifty- to one-hundred foot driveway, give or take a few feet based on the size of the gravel. Better estimates are garnered if you talk to the quarry stone seller or stone supplier and give them the measurements you took of the areas you want to cover with gravel.
Differences Between the Standard Ton and the Metric Ton
The metric ton is a little lighter and thus less than the standard ton. If you are looking for more than a standard ton but less than a a ton plus another quarter ton, opt for a metric ton. The metric ton comes in just under a ton and a quarter, giving you a little extra gravel without giving you too much. A metric ton will also have to be delivered by dump truck.