What is Blue Metal? | Localsearch

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Blue metal 20mm size aggregate typically makes up about one-third of the total volume in most concrete mixtures.

Blue metal is a type of crushed stone (construction aggregate) product used as a base material for many types of roadways, parking lots and landscaping projects. Blue metal is typically quarried from large deposits on site and crushed on site by heavy machines that pulverise the stone into pieces ranging from gravel to pebbles. The product is used to build a thick base layer for roads, parking lots and driveways. It's called blue metal since it has a blue colour. Blue metal aggregate product is quarried from large deposits of stone or gravel that have formed naturally over centuries under the pressure of massive earth forces. Many blue metal deposits are visible from major roadways and adjacent to quarries where they are mined by heavy machinery. Some blue metal deposits exist underground in a similar fashion to coal seams, while others exist as exposed layers on hillsides like rock formations. These types of deposits can be excavated using traditional mining methods including surface strip mining, open pits and deep shafts with long tunnels known as drift mines. Drainage filler and retaining walls are some common applications. The drainage gravel is used as a drainage filler.

What is blue metal used for?

Blue metal typically makes up about one-third of the total volume in most concrete mixtures for concreting. In areas where snow can accumulate, it can also be mixed with sand and gravel to make a "snow mix" which acts as effective de-icer products for roads and sidewalks during winter months. The presence of blue metal products helps reduce the need for de-icing chemicals and helps thaw the mixture to a workable state faster. As blue metal aggregate product is quarried, crushed and processed on site it becomes an integral part of many construction projects and concreting. The crushed stone serves as a base or sub-base item beneath asphalt pavement, concrete curbing and retaining walls like those around basement excavations when concreting. Construction companies choose crushed blue metal as backfill behind foundations and as fill beneath walkways, patios and driveways when concreting. It's used as a filler for pot plants.

Where do I use blue metal in landscaping?

The natural colour of crushed blue metal 20mm aggregate product fits in well with most landscaping schemes and it will serve as both an ornamental surface for your projects while providing you with the stability needed to make sure your hardscape features the best landscaping materials. Blue metal products are also an economical to choose when compared to similar types of wood mulch or decorative rock (not suited for retaining walls). A 40 cubic yard dump truck load of blue metal products will cover between 400 and 500 square feet.

Blue metal aggregate products can be used alone as a hardscape surface or it can serve as the foundation for walkways, patios and driveways. Its wide range of shapes including gravel, pea stone and even small cobblestones will transform your projects into something that looks professional and refined while still being affordable at the same time.

What is a hardscape in landscaping?

A hardscape aggregate in landscaping is any surface that forms a barrier to protect your soil's structure and health. Examples of hardscapes include walkways, patios, driveways, retaining walls and construction berms products and other hard civil products. Blue metal aggregate is an invaluable resource for many types of products projects where stability or protection are needed (not designed for retaining walls, though). Whether you need to cover up the unsightly footprints of your backyard excavation work or you're looking to place a fire pit on top of something other than dirt, broken blue metal will provide the support required while still allowing plenty of drainage around your project area.

Is blue metal granite?

Blue metal is a type of aggregate made up of finely broken stone or gravel ranging in size from a pea to cobblestones. Granite on the other hand is an igneous rock made of coarse-grained minerals like quartz, feldspar and mica. Since broken blue metal aggregate has properties similar to both sand and gravel it makes for a durable material that can be used as either a fine base course or bedding for walkways.

Is blue metal a basalt?

Blue metal is not a basalt and it does not contain any basalt rock. Basalt is a type of igneous rock made up of coarse-grained minerals like olivine, pyroxene and feldspar. Broken blue metal is made of finely broken stone or gravel. Granite on the other hand is an igneous rock made of coarse-grained minerals like quartz, feldspar and mica.

Can you use blue metal on plants?

Blue metal aggregate cannot be used directly on plants since it's designed to drain water away from plant roots. If blue metal is mixed with organic material like peat moss before being placed around your plants the combination will eventually break down into rich soil which you can then spoon out around root systems without fear of creating drainage problems. It's not comparable to a hardwood mulch.

What is the composition of blue metal?

The components of blue metal aggregate can vary, but it's composed primarily of limestone and shale which are fine forms of stone. When mixed together as a composite, these two substances help create a more porous material that can better support plants and hardscapes like walkways and patios. The 20mm size is ideal as drainage gravel since such drainage gravel will serve the purpose of correcting the level and filling the empty holes. But you need to measure the surface for levelling as an incorrect measure can cause trouble. The drainage gravel won't wear or wash away with water. Such drainage gravel will withstand strong weather and heavy weights won't hinder performance.

What is the difference between blue metal and bluestone?

Bluestone refers to any type of flat-faced stone (aggregate) used for construction or landscaping purposes, while blue metal refers to finely broken stone or gravel that has been used for centuries for hardscaping projects like walkways and driveways. Bluestone comes in many different colours whereas blue metal only comes in shades of grey and blue. Both are usable in a garden, but not as an alternative to cypress or hardwood mulch. They're not variations of the same product (some people mistake them to be variations of each other due to similar names).

What is the difference between bluestone and gravel?

Generally, gravel aggregate refers to coarse, angular stones that are not suitable for use in walkways or hardscaping projects since they're difficult to lay in a consistent manner. Hence, don't use them for concrete projects such as behind retaining walls or making a hard block. Bluestone has a smoother surface when compared to gravel which makes it more suited for exterior flooring like driveways and sidewalks.

How is blue metal sold in Australia?

A range of blue metal aggregate is usually sold and bought in bulk by the tonne but is also considered as bagged products. A truck can take care of the supply delivery directly to the customers' site (if in bulk such as tonne) since bagged products are delivered in bulk.

Customers need to contact the quarry supplier to find out what type of blue metal they sell (contact for product range and colour) and whether or not they also provide footing material, drainage gravel or other related landscape supplies. Some sellers might offer same day delivery (for high prices) but the same day delivery isn't available at all locations.

Please note that prices can vary depending on the quantity, so ensure you know the exact required quantity.

Landscapers often use blue metal aggregate as a base course beneath gravel paths since crushed rock is incredibly porous yet stable enough to support heavy foot traffic without shifting, hence best for concrete projects (like behind retaining walls). Just drop the correct quantity. Landscape edging can also be lined with a drop of broken blue metal in order to create borderlines between different planting areas.

Please note that blue metal aggregate is an ideal material to use as a base for gravel paths since it provides support without allowing weeds to grow between stones. Landscape edging can also be lined with fine blue metal in order to create borderlines between different planting areas.

For more information on landscaping or garden design, take a look at the YourHome website.