Description

🛠️ Gravel Crushed Screened for Road Building, Pad Prep & Compacted Surfaces

 

Thrifty Alberta’s Gravel Crushed Screened product is a compactable, angular aggregate engineered for foundational strength in high-traffic or load-bearing applications. Whether you’re prepping a commercial construction pad, building a rural road, or creating a stable base for driveways or sheds, this material locks in tightly and resists shifting under stress.

Its sharp-edged particles provide superior interlock, reducing movement over time and supporting optimal compaction. Screened for uniform size and washed to minimize fines, it performs reliably under concrete slabs, paving stones, or gravel surfacing.

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🧱 What Is Gravel Crushed Screened?

 

This material is a blend of crushed stone screened to a consistent size, often between ¾” and 1.5”, with minimal fines. The angular shape of each stone allows it to “bite” into surrounding material, locking together to form a dense, immovable base layer.

Because it’s screened, the particle size is highly uniform — which contributes to predictable compaction and performance. Unlike loose-fill decorative gravel, this material is meant to form the backbone of construction and paving installations.

Builders often pair it with Ballast for coarse load distribution, or top it with Crushed Gravel for a more refined finish.

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🛣️ Where to Use This Aggregate

 

Gravel Crushed Screened is ideal for heavy-use zones and applications requiring compacted strength:

• Rural roads & access lanes – Strong enough to carry vehicles and equipment

• Driveway bases – Creates a stable foundation for asphalt or gravel surfacing

• Concrete & shed pads – Prevents settling or cracking in foundations

• Under asphalt or pavers – Provides a supportive base layer

• Storage yards & staging areas – Withstands equipment traffic and pressure

• Culvert beds & utility trenches – Allows drainage while offering support

• Farm & ranch sites – Great for feeding pads, trailer paths, or bin setups

 

Its compaction profile ensures reduced movement over time and supports drainage to extend the life of surface materials.

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✅ Key Material Benefits

 

• Tightly compacting – Locks together for long-term stability

• Drainage-efficient – Allows water to pass through without pooling

• Graded consistency – Uniform size supports predictable performance

• Frost resistance – Angular shape prevents heaving during freeze-thaw cycles

• Heavy-duty performance – Reliable under machinery, vehicles, and foundations

• Cost-effective – Offers strength at scale for infrastructure and access work

• Versatile layering – Use alone or under finer or decorative materials

 

From backyard prep to heavy commercial builds, this product is built to last under pressure.

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📐 Installation Guidelines

 

• Excavate to depth – Typically 4–8 inches depending on traffic load

• Install in layers – Compact each 2–3 inch lift to prevent settlement

• Use mechanical compactors – Ensures full-density support

• Grade for slope – Direct water away from structures and toward drainage points

• Use edging – For driveways or defined surfaces, edging prevents migration

• Top with fines or gravel – Optional finishing improves usability and appearance

 

Proper installation reduces maintenance, improves surface lifespan, and supports load tolerance over time.

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🔗 Learn More About Base Layer Aggregates

 

• The Constructor – Gravel vs. Crushed Stone (DoFollow)

• Landscaping Network – Choosing Gravel for Hardscaping (DoFollow)

 

These expert resources cover differences in gravel products, compaction practices, and base layer design tips.

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