Which gravel for a patio seating area?

AmboGuy

Hello, so I'm in the process of creating a large circular patio in my garden and I'd like to get a fire pit in the middle so we could all sit around at night. 

I've already dug out the ground and have laid 100 mm of mot type 1. 

From a cost perspective and because I'm not exactly a master DIYer I'm opting for gravel. I've already been warned about using Pea Gravel because although it's comfortable underfoot, it will go everywhere. I looked into using gravel grids but they just put the cost up way more than I'm prepared to go. 

There seem to be so many different types of gravel that I could use that all seem to have pros and cons:- decomposed granite, Self-Binding gravel, stone chippings etc etc so I was just wondering what everyone here would recommend. 

Really I'd like something that I'd be able to put chairs on so  they won't be sinking and moving around too much.

What would the good people of the MSE forum recommend please? 

FreeBear

if you are wanting to put chairs and other furniture on the gravel, you won't want small stones. I'd suggest slate chippings - They tend to lay flat and kinda lock together to give a more solid base for legs to stand on.

baser999

If you’re planning to have seating and a fire pit I personally think you’d be better with smaller stones for stability. Larger pebbles and stones won’t provide a stable base. Pea shingle or similar would be my choice and likely the cheapest

Working_Mum

I've just removed an area of 'ordinary' sized gravel (you can see it in the middle top of the pic - it's white) and replaced it with larger cobbles. I'll be popping a fire pit in the area and seats too. The cobbles are easier to walk on with bare feet and I think they look nicer than what was there previously.


This lot (a ton) cost me £180 delivered but I know I need another lot as I've still got a bit to finish up (top left of this pic and to the right at the top).

Good luck, it looks like it'll be a lovely space when it's done.

AmboGuy

FreeBear said:

if you are wanting to put chairs and other furniture on the gravel, you won't want small stones. I'd suggest slate chippings - They tend to lay flat and kinda lock together to give a more solid base for legs to stand on.

I've read that anything between 12 - 20mm is best. 

Are slate choppings comfortable to walk on? Would they break under the weight of the furniture. 

AmboGuy

Working_Mum said:

I've just removed an area of 'ordinary' sized gravel (you can see it in the middle top of the pic - it's white) and replaced it with larger cobbles. I'll be popping a fire pit in the area and seats too. The cobbles are easier to walk on with bare feet and I think they look nicer than what was there previously.


This lot (a ton) cost me £180 delivered but I know I need another lot as I've still got a bit to finish up (top left of this pic and to the right at the top).

Good luck, it looks like it'll be a lovely space when it's done.

What size are they? 

Albermarle

Working_Mum said:

I've just removed an area of 'ordinary' sized gravel (you can see it in the middle top of the pic - it's white) and replaced it with larger cobbles. I'll be popping a fire pit in the area and seats too. The cobbles are easier to walk on with bare feet and I think they look nicer than what was there previously.


This lot (a ton) cost me £180 delivered but I know I need another lot as I've still got a bit to finish up (top left of this pic and to the right at the top).

Good luck, it looks like it'll be a lovely space when it's done.

We have these in one area, I would not say they were actually comfortable to walk on with bare feet, but at least they are not sharp. Personally if it was a well used seating area, I would go one size less, otherwise some seats ( depending on design) will be a bit wobbly on the above. So something intermediate between the above, and standard pea gravel.

FreeBear

AmboGuy said:

FreeBear said:

if you are wanting to put chairs and other furniture on the gravel, you won't want small stones. I'd suggest slate chippings - They tend to lay flat and kinda lock together to give a more solid base for legs to stand on.

I've read that anything between 12 - 20mm is best. 

Are slate choppings comfortable to walk on? Would they break under the weight of the furniture. 

I've only experienced slate chippings hiking around the Lake District and from observations of neighbouring properties. The stuff appears to be pretty robust, and if little bits break off, it helps to stabilise the rest of the chippings.

Working_Mum

There are various sizes to choose from. I think mine are the 50mm to 80mm size.

https://www.gravelmaster.co.uk/cobbles-and-pebbles-rockery/scottish/products/

Eldi_Dos

I personally like gravel but from experience if wearing shorts and flip flops of a evening you can end up with bites around your ankles.
Do not know if such a thing exsists but would research to see what type of gravel is best to stop biting insects setting up home.

Food that causes alot of crumbs are best avoided as I feel that encourages ants.

flashg67

Not the cheapest option, but google 'easihold' - a resin binder for pebbles that can create a more solid surface