Drainage Stone

3/4" Clear Dolomite for Premium Drainage & Clean Decorative Ground Cover

3/4" Clear Dolomite is a washed, high-durability drainage stone used when you want a cleaner look and longer-lasting performance than standard clear limestone. Dolomite is a harder, less porous stone, which helps it resist breaking down over time—especially in Southwestern Ontario conditions where repeated freeze-thaw cycles and heavy moisture can wear on softer aggregates.

Because it is “clear” stone, it contains no fines (no dust). That means it won’t compact, and it won’t trap water the way a material with fines can. Instead, it creates strong void space for fast drainage while still staying stable in place thanks to its angular shape.

Best Use Cases

• Window wells: A tidy, grey/white stone that drains quickly and helps keep window well areas clean and functional.
• French drains & heavy drainage: Ideal around perforated pipe, catch basins, and other drainage systems where long-term stone integrity matters.
• Retaining wall and foundation backfill: Supports drainage and helps reduce water buildup behind walls and along foundations.
• Exposed ground cover: A dust-free, low-maintenance alternative to mulch for modern landscapes, walkout areas, and around downspout discharge zones.

Important Note

This is a drainage and decorative stone and will not compact like “0” limestone. If you need a firm base for a driveway or patio, use a compactable material with fines and reserve 3/4" clear dolomite for drainage layers and exposed ground cover.

4-6" Gabion Stone – Large Crushed Rock for Walls, Cages & Erosion Control

4-6" gabion stone is a large-format crushed limestone aggregate, sized between 4 and 6 inches per piece. Each stone is angular and rough-surfaced, produced by crushing quarried bedrock and screening to remove undersized material. The resulting product is a clean, uniform large stone designed primarily for filling gabion baskets — the wire mesh cages used to build retaining walls, channel linings, and erosion control structures.

The angular shape is critical: when packed into gabion cages, the irregular edges interlock and resist shifting, creating a stable mass that holds its form even under soil pressure or water flow. The gaps between stones also allow water to pass through freely, which is why gabion structures are often preferred over solid concrete walls in areas with drainage concerns.

Why Gabion Structures Work in Windsor-Essex

Essex County's flat terrain and clay-heavy soils create specific challenges with water management and grade changes. Gabion walls are increasingly popular here because they handle both problems at once — they retain soil on slopes and property edges while allowing groundwater to drain through rather than building up hydrostatic pressure behind the wall. Unlike poured concrete, gabion structures flex slightly with freeze-thaw movement without cracking, making them well-suited to our climate.

Key Applications

• Gabion Retaining Walls: Fill standard gabion baskets (typically 3' x 3' x 3' or 3' x 3' x 6') to build gravity retaining walls. Walls up to 3-4 feet can typically be built without engineering, but check local building codes for your specific project.
• Erosion Control & Shoreline Protection: Line drainage channels, creek banks, or lakefront edges to prevent soil washout. The weight and interlocking shape resist displacement from flowing water.
• Decorative Gabion Features: Gabion baskets filled with clean stone are increasingly used as modern landscape features — seating walls, fire pit surrounds, planter borders, and property dividers.
• Rip Rap & Slope Stabilization: Place loose (without cages) along steep slopes, culvert outlets, and drainage outfalls to slow water velocity and prevent erosion.

Important Note

Individual stones at this size are heavy — a single 6-inch piece can weigh 5-10 lbs. Filling gabion baskets is labour-intensive and typically done by hand or with a small excavator. Order gabion baskets/cages separately from a fencing or hardware supplier before your stone delivery. For retaining walls over 4 feet in height, consult a structural engineer — these require proper design for safety. This material is not suitable for walkways, driveways, or any surface that will be walked or driven on.

3/4" Black Granite Clear Stone for Drainage, Beds & Modern Landscaping

3/4" black granite is a crushed angular stone with a deep charcoal-to-jet-black colour, produced from natural gabbro (commonly called trap rock in the aggregate industry). The dark colour comes from the mineral composition of the rock itself — pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar — not from dye or surface treatment. This means it will not fade with UV exposure or wash out over time.

As a clear stone, it is screened to a uniform 3/4-inch size with no fines or dust. Water flows freely through the gaps between stones, making it one of the few aggregates that works equally well as a high-end decorative ground cover and a functional drainage material. The angular crushed edges interlock when placed, creating a surface that stays put better than rounded alternatives.

Why 3/4" Is the Versatile Size

At 3/4 inch, this stone hits a practical sweet spot. It is large enough to drain effectively around weeping tile and foundation walls — meeting Ontario Building Code requirements for drainage aggregate — while being small enough to walk on comfortably and create a uniform, refined look in decorative beds. This dual-purpose nature makes it popular across Essex County for homeowners who want one material that handles both drainage projects and landscape aesthetics.

Key Applications

• French Drains & Weeping Tile: The standard size for surrounding perforated drain pipe. Keeps drainage pathways open without clogging — and unlike limestone, granite will not dissolve in acidic soil or produce calcium deposits over time.
• Decorative Garden Beds: The dark colour creates a bold, modern contrast against green plantings, light-coloured siding, and concrete. Install 2-3 inches deep over landscape fabric.
• Pathways & Walkways: Comfortable underfoot with enough angularity to stay in place. Spread 3 inches deep over a compacted base.
• Window Wells & Foundation Drainage: Clean, dark appearance at the surface while performing the drainage function underneath.

Important Note

Fresh black granite may appear charcoal-grey due to quarry dust on the surface. After the first rain, the dust washes off and the true dark colour emerges. For decorative installations, hose it down after spreading to see the final appearance immediately. The stone will always look darkest when wet — some homeowners apply a stone sealer to maintain that wet-look permanently, though it is not required.

3/8" Clear Dolomite (HPB) for Paver Bedding, Permeable Base & Drainage

3/8" Clear Dolomite, commonly called HPB (High Performance Bedding) or 3/8 chip, is a washed, angular stone used as a modern alternative to bedding sand. The small 3/8" size creates excellent drainage, while the angular shape helps the material lock together and stay stable once placed.

Unlike round pea gravel that shifts and rolls, 3/8" clear dolomite naturally settles into place and creates a firm, free-draining layer. It is widely used for patio and walkway installs because it supports pavers while allowing water to move through the base instead of pooling under the surface.

Why Contractors Use HPB

• Self-settling stability: Spreads easily and tightens up as it’s placed, reducing the need for heavy compaction in many applications.
• Fast drainage: Washed “clear” stone contains no fines, so water moves through quickly instead of getting trapped.
• Helps prevent washouts: More resistant to erosion than sand in areas exposed to water flow.

Best Use Cases

• Paver bedding: Used under patio stones and interlock as a bedding layer that drains well and is less prone to washing out than sand.
• Permeable hardscaping: Supports permeable pavers and projects designed to let water return to the ground.
• Pipe bedding: Fits closely around weeping tile and drainage pipe, supporting the pipe while keeping drainage pathways open.

Important Note

Because this is “clear” stone, it is not the same as a compactable base material like 0–3/4" limestone. For driveways and structural bases, use a compactable product with fines, then use 3/8" clear dolomite where drainage and bedding performance are the priority.