Base & Compaction
Material Breakdown
0-7/8" Crushed Limestone – Heavy Duty Base
0–7/8" Crushed Limestone for Heavy Duty Bases and High-Load Driveways
For projects demanding superior structural support, our 0–7/8" Crushed Limestone steps up where standard gravel leaves off. Featuring a slightly coarser gradation than standard 0–3/4" (Granular A), this mix includes crushed angular rock up to 7/8", blended with the fines needed for tight compaction.
The Heavy-Duty Advantage
The increased stone size in this matrix provides higher shear strength, meaning it is more resistant to being pushed around by heavy tires. This makes it a strong choice for agricultural laneways, commercial parking areas, and long rural driveways that see frequent delivery truck traffic. It also helps bridge softer subsoils, creating a “raft” that distributes point loads and reduces the chance of tires sinking into clay.
Ideal Use Cases
- Farm laneways: Supports tractors and heavy machinery with less displacement over time.
- Commercial parking and access lanes: Durable base material for higher-traffic zones.
- Soft ground stabilization: The larger aggregate bites into softer ground better than finer mixes, helping firm up wet or spongy areas.
Why Choose 0–7/8" Instead of 0–3/4"?
If you are parking standard passenger cars, 0–3/4" typically provides a smoother finish. If you are parking RVs, boats, or operating heavy equipment, 0–7/8" offers the extra ruggedness that helps reduce rutting and shifting over time.
Recycled Concrete (0-3") – Structural Sub-Base & Fill
Recycled Concrete (0–3") for Structural Fill, Sub-Base & Site Access
Recycled Concrete (0–3"), also known as RCM, is a strong, economical sub-base and fill material made by crushing reclaimed concrete from demolition sites. This blend ranges from fines up to 3" pieces, creating a coarse, compactable mix that is well suited for building up grade, stabilizing soft ground, and creating a solid base under structures.
Because crushed concrete is highly angular, it locks together aggressively once placed. That interlock makes it a practical choice for muddy sites, rural properties, and work areas where you need stability without the cost of premium virgin aggregate.
Best Use Cases
- Construction entrances: Used as a mud mat to firm up access lanes and help keep tires cleaner before reaching paved roads.
- Barn and shed bases: A dependable sub-base under agricultural buildings, storage pads, and outbuildings.
- Deep fill and grade building: Cost-effective for filling deep excavations, raising low areas, and rough grading before a finished surface is installed.
- Soft ground stabilization: Helps bridge weak or wet subgrades where smaller stone can disappear into clay.
Important Note
This is a utilitarian material intended for burial and base layers. It may contain small fragments of brick or tile and will not have the uniform appearance of virgin limestone. For a clean finished surface, cap this material with an appropriate top layer based on your project (for example, a compactable driveway stone or a decorative stone).
Recycled Asphalt (0-3/4") – Premium Driveway Millings
Recycled Asphalt (0–3/4") Driveway Millings for a Firmer, Lower-Dust Surface
Recycled Asphalt (0–3/4"), often called RAP or asphalt millings, is a popular driveway material for rural and residential properties where you want a more finished look than regular gravel without the cost of full asphalt paving. It is produced by crushing and screening reclaimed road pavement to a consistent 0–3/4" size, creating a compactable blend that performs differently than limestone.
What sets recycled asphalt apart is the residual bitumen (tar) still present in the material. When installed and compacted, warm weather and sunlight help it tighten up over time, creating a semi-hardened surface that typically produces less dust and holds together better than standard driveway gravel.
Why Choose Recycled Asphalt
- Lower dust than limestone: Helps reduce dust buildup on vehicles, siding, and nearby surfaces compared to many traditional gravel options.
- Country pavement appearance: The dark, charcoal colour gives a more “paved” look and pairs well with modern and rural landscapes.
- Improved resistance to washouts: Once compacted and settled, it tends to stay in place better in areas exposed to heavy rain and runoff.
- Winter advantage: The darker surface can absorb more sunlight, which may help snow and ice melt faster than light-coloured stone on sunny days.
- Recycled material: Uses reclaimed asphalt, reducing waste and making good use of existing materials.
Installation Tip
For best results, install during warm weather, place in manageable lifts, and compact thoroughly (a vibratory roller or heavy plate compactor works well). Proper compaction is key to getting the firmest surface and the best long-term performance.
0-2" Crushed Limestone (Granular B) – Structural Sub-Base
0–2" Crushed Limestone (Granular B) for Sub-Base, Deep Fill & Driveway Foundations
0–2" Crushed Limestone, commonly referred to as Granular B (often Granular B Type II), is a coarse, compactable aggregate used as the structural sub-base under driveways, roads, and hardscaping. This mix includes everything from fines (dust) up to 2" stone, allowing it to lock together tightly while also providing the strength needed for deeper construction layers.
In Southwestern Ontario, a proper sub-base matters. Heavy clay soils and freeze-thaw cycles can cause shifting and heaving, especially when a driveway or patio base is built too thin. A thicker layer of 0–2" helps spread loads, stabilize soft subgrade, and reduce movement that can lead to rutting, cracking, or settling.
Best Use Cases
- New driveway construction: Often used as the bottom 6–12 inches of a full driveway build before adding a smoother top layer.
- Deep fill and grade building: Cost-effective for filling deeper excavations, raising low areas, and building up rough grade.
- Soft ground stabilization: Helps bridge wet or spongy subgrade better than smaller stones, making it useful where clay holds moisture.
- Road base and heavy-use areas: Suitable for base layers under areas that see heavier loads or frequent traffic.
Installation Note
Because of the larger stone size, 0–2" does not finish smooth and is designed to be buried. For a drivable surface, cap this material with a smoother, compactable top layer such as 0–3/4" limestone (Granular A). Installing in lifts and compacting thoroughly will improve long-term performance.
Granular A Limestone (0-3/4") – Premium Driveway Base
Granular A Limestone (0-3/4") – Premium Driveway Base
The Gold Standard for Driveways in Southwestern Ontario.
When it comes to building a driveway that lasts, stability is everything. Our 0-3/4" Crushed Limestone, widely known across the industry as Granular A, is the essential building block for load-bearing surfaces. Unlike "clear" stones which remain loose, this engineered aggregate is a precise blend of 3/4-inch angular stones and fine limestone dust.
How It Works
The "0" in 0-3/4" represents the fines. When this material is spread and compacted, the fine particles fill the voids between the larger stones. Once dampened and tamped, the limestone dust acts as a binding agent, cementing the aggregate into a solid, hardened surface that is nearly impervious to shifting. This makes it superior to round stones or clear gravels for any area where vehicles will drive or park.
Why It’s Essential for Essex & Kent County Soils
Our region is famous for heavy clay soil which expands when wet and shrinks when dry. A flexible, compacted base of Granular A moves with the ground while maintaining structural integrity, preventing the ruts and sinkholes common in poorly constructed driveways.
Key Applications
- Driveway Top-Dressing: The ideal top layer for refreshing an existing gravel laneway.
- Interlock & Patio Base: Provides the firm, level surface required before laying bedding sand and pavers.
- Shoulder Gravel: Perfect for stabilizing the edges of rural roads and farm lanes.
Installation Tip: For best results, install in 2-3 inch layers (lifts) and compact each layer with a vibratory plate tamper or heavy roller. This ensures maximum density and longevity.