Decomposed Granite Pros & Cons

6/7/2014

I have noticed in my landscape design/build business lately, a lot of request for decomposed granite use by homeowners.
Taking out old cracked patio's, sidewalks, dead or otherwise useless lawn areas around clients properties, has stimulated the interest of many clients who are looking for solutions to their challenges. Decomposed granite is a very good product to use under many landscaping situations not only as a semi-solid to hard pan walking surface, but also as a clean fresh ground cover alternative to various chipped tree mulches and synthetic rubber mulches that have hit the sustainable landscaping scene. There are a few things one show be aware of though when choosing to use decomposed granite in their own particular application.
* Decomposed granite ( AKA "DG" ) is granite rock that has weathered to the point that it readily fractures into smaller pieces or chunks of weak rock. Granite is composed of various other minerals such as feldspar,quartz, and mica just to name a few. The chemical transformation of feldspar into a clay material call Kaolin is one of the important weathering processes. The presence of the clay allows water to seep in and further weaken the parent rock allowing it to fracture or crumble into smaller pieces. Decomposed granite can come as a crushed stone or a fine and used as a pavement material.
Many times, I have hadto educate my clients about DG to the facts that unless stabilized with some sort of polymeric stabilizer such as TechniSoil G3, PolyPavement, and other brands available, the fantastic idea of replacing that ugly dying back yard with a decomposed granite patio replacement may just end up becoming one big DG bog at the first rain. Proper prep of the job site, use of landscaping fabric, landscaping edging, proper grading and DG compaction are all very important proceedures that should be addressed when choosing a contractor or deciding to do the job DG installation yourself.
There are various colors of DG available now and grades to choose from crushed to a grade know as "fines". Having choice is a good thing but, understanding DG's limitations based on what the end use is expected to be is "MOST IMPORTANT" when choosing to go with decomposed granite use at your home or business.
* Information on decomposed granite derived from Wikipedia.
** Excellent DG suppliers in Southern Ca: Cal Blend Soils www.calblendsoils.com (877) 675-3405
Southwest Boulder & Stone www.southwestboulder.com (877)-SWB-ROCK

61 Comments

David link

4/13/2015 08:40:24 am

Not sure how much you know about soil stabilizers but liquid polymers as listed in the article and very limited and have done very poorly on commercial use such as park trails, cart paths and many more applications. My company has been mining dg for over 25 years in SoCal. You make it seem like dg is all over the place. You may be surprised that SoCal has only around 5 operating dg quarries. All the only local colors are gray and gold. Those other colors that you see at building supply yards are crushed aggregate and are not dg. If you are interested to see how liquid polymers readily breakdown reply and I will share some pics. We are the leading supplier of dg in the nation. We have test plots all over our property testing the different binders. We found liquid polymers to be about the worst. I have a soils degree and worked in a soils lab for 8 years. I understand materials from an engineering standpoint.

take care

Dave

V. Avetisian

7/28/2015 01:46:34 am

Hi, I would like to see your pictures & like to know what you recommend. I went through the Master Gardener program years ago & I'm very interested in what you think. I'm removing my grass & im looking for an alternative. I was thinking of using DG with the G5. Thanks

Edward Wallace link

7/30/2015 03:50:31 am

V. Avetisian,
Good morning and sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry.
I do not have an archive of DG project site pictures that I share other than those I post on my website and as for recommendations I do landscape consultations for a fee, and do not give out ideas and suggestions unless they are included in my blog or I share them at a workshop or other educational type venue. I am sorry if this is of no help to you but I wish you the best with your project and based on your location,desires, and budget I am available to help assist you as a consultant to your project.
Respectfully,
Edward Wallace

Jonnathan link

12/3/2015 02:20:00 pm

can I have the answers for decomposed granite

Edward Wallace link

12/3/2015 08:19:39 pm

Jonnathan,
Thank-you for checking out my website and blog.
What questions do you have ?

Diane

7/12/2016 01:29:04 pm

Could you please send me pictures of the breakdown of DG with liquid polymers. We are looking into the pros and cons of using for a park walking path.

Thank you

Edward wallace link

7/13/2016 06:59:00 am

Good morning,
I do not understand your request.
What type of breakdown are you refering to ?

Scott

11/16/2016 07:40:37 pm

I want to put in several DG paths on slopes and on flat surfaces and I don't want to make a mistake I would love to know what works best please contact me buy email or phone my number is 562-755-3063
Thank you
Scott

Edward wallace link

11/17/2016 07:05:50 am

Scott,
Good morning and thanks for your inquiry.
We use DG that already has a stablilizer blended within it. You can use the DG then spray the stabilizer on top of the DG per liable directions or we find is bett3r to use pre-blended/mixed in stabilizer as it is more consistently blended within the DG thus giving you a more consistent stabilized pathway surface.
Spraying stabilizer on takes a lot of product depending on the square footage you are covering and it takes a certain amount of skills to be sure to apply the stablilizer in a consistent,even,application manner.
Hope this helps, Good luck with your project, and be sure to share my blog site with family and friends,
Ed

Georgia Tays

3/5/2017 04:15:00 pm

Hi Dave, I saw your post from 2015. Does your Co. sell DG directly to the public? And would you recommend using a stabilizer when installing DG. I have a large flat area 700 sq ft. used for entertainment. I can't decide if I will get a better result (less erosion or pooling of water) if I use a stabilizer.
Thank you for your thoughts.

Edward L. Wallace link

3/5/2017 09:49:11 pm

Georgia,
Thanks you for checking out my blog. As for a supplier for DG , we do not supply DG for retail sales. Depending on where you are located, I can possibly assistance you in finding a DG supplier in your area that can be able to service your needs. Please let know what city you are in and then I will research my contact list to see who I recommend.
As for installing the DG in what seems to be a high traffic area for entertaining, I would use a higher concentration of Stablilizer to help maintain the firm foundation. The DG will still wear away through time and will need to be replenished or maintenanced as this material is not a solid surface like concrete. It is a natural organic by product of pulverized granite. Through time this material will 'feathers or otherwise breaks down to a finer gritty surface from the foot traffic on the DG surface.
When it rains or gets wet even though it will have stabilizer in it, it may still become soft and lose it's integrity especially if gravy weight is placed upon it's surface. Use a high concentration per lable directions if you plan to apply the stablilizer yourself or, request a little higher percentage of premixed stabilized DG when you order your product.
With care, patience, and a quality stabilizer product, your project should come out a winner.
Respectfully yours,
Edward

Bryan

4/8/2018 11:32:14 am

How us it packed as a roadway? Is it better than recycled asphalt? Cost difference?

Primo Reynoso link

2/22/2019 03:13:08 pm

I am quite curious about the limitations of DG.
Please send me any information and/or pictures.
I'm worry about a fire engine (40,000) driving onto for critical calls.
Thank you

seth

6/1/2019 11:10:43 pm

I've found that the best method for using DG is to avoid polymers and any other binding agents period. Don't use them. Instead, make sure you start with packed drain rock, (tile drains below that if you get that much rain). ON top of the drain rock, a permeable high quality landscape fabric. (I don't advocate for use of landscape fabric anywhere else but for this application, and for putting in ponds with pond liner). Make sure the edging is not bender board, use real wood and make sure it is firmly seated, then lay about an inch of DG through the path. Then you pack it. Recommend a plate compactor, not a hand tamper. Then you put down another inch of DG, compact it. Then another, compactor. DO NOT CUT CORNERS. This is a process and expedience is not always synonymous with inexpensive. The labor expense, (if you hire a contractor), is worth it, as the cost to take it all out and fix it, will be more. Using polymer, and you end up with possible dangerous slippery situations. I would never suggest using a binder with DG. It can be done correctly and hold up just fine, without the chemicals. Good Luck!

sabrina

1/19/2020 02:21:01 pm

hey Scott- is there a way to reach you? Im interested in your take on DG and looking for help with my yard!

Junior

7/21/2019 05:32:37 pm

Hello, I am considering DG as an alternative for concrete in my backyard. Expecting it to last around 5 years. We will be using it as a patio area. Any thoughts.

John K

12/6/2019 10:41:58 am

Dave, you still around? Would like to discuss.

Irma

4/9/2020 02:00:24 pm

Hello, I recently had DG installed in my back yard. I was so disappointed with the job with the landscaping company we went with. They installed the wrong color but the owner convinced me it would dry to the lighter shade we wanted. Now my understanding is that you shod be able to walk on the DG after it dried? We got some rain and even my dogs foot prints sunk into the DG. What can I do to stabilize it. The landscaper is refusing to fix it.

Corbett Tuck

5/20/2020 12:27:09 pm

I know this thread is super old, but I’d be I retested in talking to you, Dave about DG. I’m in SoCal and looking to do my back patio but have small children and don’t want the dog scattered all o Er the place and in my pool and stuck in little feet...I wish I knew what company you have!
Thanks!

Vicki

5/27/2020 03:54:30 pm

Hi Dave your post is ancient but I can be hopeful...can't I...would love to discuss DG in need of some good advise and good DG...thanks Vicki

Nancy Porter

6/10/2020 09:46:08 pm

I would love more information about DG and the polymer finishes contractors off apply, including how to maintain the fine particle top layer of a nice DG.

Amy Klein

5/22/2022 01:05:23 pm

This is an old post. If you get this....I need help to modify/remove my lawn. I live in Encino, CA. Can you recommend somebody to get help?

Mike link

5/28/2022 08:58:44 pm

Can I mix cement in with DG to get a hardened surface. The top layer broadcast cement on the surface compact and moisten.

Chris link

6/2/2022 04:26:13 pm

David, please contact me as I'd like to learn more about the right kinds of bonding agents as our family will be using DG in a large landscaping project. You can connect with me at www.christheodore.us (my personal website). Thanks!

karen

7/12/2015 01:42:53 pm

I am considering using dc for pathways and stumbled on your site.
I live in Hemet California and would like somewhere to purchase it at a good price. I have heard of stabelizers but is it necessary for a back yard with just light foot traffic and two small pups.

Edward Wallace link

7/13/2015 12:41:05 am

Karen,
Thanks for checking out my website and blog. Here are the answers to your questions.
1. The best places to check on pricing for the DG is :
Thompson's building Materials
1169 Sherborn Street # 101
Corona, Ca. 92879
(951) 284-2020
* The Home Depot in your area may be closer and they usually stock "Super Sack" sizes of DG or could possibly order it for you but, they may not supply Stabilized DG which Thompson's would carry blended within the dry DG.
Applying stabilizer yourself is expensive and not that easy. ( Check out my YouTube video on decomposed granite to see the process we use at one of my jobsites. Check nder Eddie Wallace or Decomposed Granite )
2. The answer to the stabilize or not question is in my opinion you will not go wrong especially with quote" Pups" who eventually grow up to become "Dogs" that will dig ( Natural instinct ) and run about. The stabilized DG will not be a cure all but it will help in keeping things in place and also when it does rain, it will help a little in keeping the DG in it's uniform shape. The final outcome of using stabilizer is the amount of stabilizer added to the DG to achieve the results desired and most importantly the process of installation and whether or not the area that is being covered with the DG is compacted correctly with a vibrator type compaction machine which can be rented from Home Depot or some other type of equipment rental store such as a United Rentals .
Installing DG is not a easy job and not to scare you away from doing it it is just that I do not like to sugar coat things. I let you you know the good, the bad, and the successful when doing landscape related projects.
Good luck and let me know how it goes !
Edward

Greg

4/2/2017 10:11:39 am

Hello, Could I ask your advice on DG/Fines in the mid-brown tones... Do the fines eventually dissolve or wash though the underlying landscape fabric? I'm concerned that if installed near concrete walkway it will stain or track into the house.

Jai

3/7/2018 09:24:36 am

I have decomposed granite in my front yard. I want to remove a huge tree with huge roots. The surface is no long flat because of the roots. When I remove the tree and it's roots how can I preserve the DG? Will I have to remove all the DG and start over or just replace the area which was disturbed?

Ed Wallace / Owner Midwest Landscaping link

4/8/2018 07:48:23 pm

Jai,
Thanks for checking out my blog first of all, secondly you can take out the DG and put it to the side on top of some tarp while you do your tree work. You will most likely need to bring in some more DG to top off your job and be sure to use some quality weed block fabric to help reduce the weeds and compact as much as possible the replacement soil from the root removal. You may even need to bring in some extra soil to make sure the ground where you remove the roots has ample soil especially after you have removed those roots.
Good luck in your project and keep me in the loop on your results.
Respectfully,
Edward L. Wallace/ Owner Midwest Landscaping

Corinne

4/23/2018 11:55:52 pm

I just had DG with powder stabilized mixed in used on my pathway and the gardener did not use a compacter machine, he used a roller tool with water inside of it. I am concerned the DG has not been properly compacted. Also, in the area between the street and side walk, yarrow plants were planted, a drip line was placed and DG was poured on top. None of it was compacted, it was watered. I especially concerned with the DG that has a drip line under it and has not be compacted? What are your thoughts? Thx.

Edward Wallace link

4/24/2018 08:10:12 am

Corine,
Good morning and first of all thanks for checking out my blog.
Stay tuned as I will be updating it with more ideas and tips soon.
As for your DG drama, the gardener in my opinion, should have used a compactor as the weight of the water roller does not match the consistency of the vibrating plate weight and uniformity that the compactor can offer. Within the parkway, the yarrow plants should have been removed first and the drip line taken out and the supply line for that area capped off as the consistent wetness within the area of the parkway will compromise the DG each time the system comes on. ( Or just turn off the irrigation valve station to that parkway area at this point.)
It is my opinion that you have the gardener take out the DG, be sure to install weed block fabric down before replacing the DG, remove the drip line and cap off the supply line to that area.replace the DG and add fresh DG if necessary, rent a compactor from Home Depot or another tool rental place in your area, and have the gardener do the job correctly by applying the DG, wetting it down a little, compacting the DG then checking to see if he will need to add a little more DG due to the shrinking factor when you use the compactor.
I hope this helps you and good luck in for 'Corrective Action Approach'
Have a great day ahead,
Edward L. Wallace
Owner/ Midwest Landscaping

Lorraine

10/6/2018 12:58:49 pm

Hello! I am putting DG in my front yard patio area. It will have a stabilizer added, but I am still concerned about disrupting it or scraping it up with the chairs. Would a large recycled materials mat be a good solution to avoid that and make it last longer?

Would it be possible to put teak d cking squares on top of it where the table and chairs will be or will that dig into the DG surface and break it up?

Thank you for your site and your thoughts,
Best, Lorraine

Steve

1/23/2019 01:49:44 pm

We had a DG patio installed and required stabilizer. It was installed in layers and compacted with a vibrator. We just had our first rain of the season and the DG splashed all over the patio furniture and is generally a huge mess. I would not recommend it for a patio. Paths may be fine but not where you are going to put any furniture.

Xavier

2/6/2019 08:43:44 am

Does Polypavement work just as good as Pathway Stabilizer?

Chuck Van Allen

4/1/2019 10:15:32 am

What is the best method for cleaning debris off of DG? After all these rains in So Cal the DG doen not look very clean and neat anymore. I just had it installed at the end of the summer. Garden rake? Leaf rake? Sweep with shop broom? Hose off? Thanks for your advice. Chuck

Leslie Burke

9/17/2019 10:02:06 am

I’d like to second this question! Best way to renew DG after winter rains do it doesn’t just look like dirt?
And if you can, best way to refresh DG after a few years of use??

Elizabeth O.

1/15/2020 07:06:37 am

I also am interested in any tips/tricks for cleaning off debris. Our color is fine...we live in the high desert of Oregon and don’t get much precipitation (mainly snow). What I do have atop the DG are maple seeds with their wing attachments and miscellaneous other organic debris. Not much but enough that I want a cleaning tool of some kind (the area is small enough to do it by hand on a day where I’m bored, ha, but I’m thinking long term).

What have I considered? I saw a worker at the garden/zoo in Palm Springs cleaning up after goats...it was a rake and tray for poop scooping but the tray wasn’t solid, it was an all-mesh bottom. The hole size in the mesh kept the pellets in the tray but the substrate would fall through. I know it would loosen the top layer a bit, but it’s already loose. I would compact more.
Problem is: I haven’t found anywhere to buy that mesh tray.

I’ve considered others but just not sure of what’s likely best.

Hoping this 3rd comment will get us responses!! :-)

Dallas leighton

11/27/2019 06:12:47 pm

I have a question about a DG pad I put down. I put it in in small lifts with g3 stabilizer and all was good, very hard. After a heavy rain It puddled so I know I need to add some DG to get the slope right. My question is that it got really soft and kind of mushy, is this normal? Can I recompact the area and ad more material and stabilizer? Will it ever stay really hard when it rains hard? Any info would be greatly appreciated

Edward L. Wallace link

12/4/2019 08:48:32 pm

Dallas,
Good evening and ' Thanks ' for your inquiry.
Normally when you install DG you incorporate the stabilizer, you compact it up really well, and use the stabilizer per label instructions.
As for doing repair and touch up, work, you should contact the manufacturer of the stabilizer and get their recommendations for using their product.
I use a very effective stabilizer and compact the project very well thus the challenges you say your having are not as prevalent .
Hope this helps and thanks for checking out my website.
Edward L. Wallace
Owner/Midwest Landscaping

Elizabeth

12/17/2019 02:37:56 pm

Hello, we are in Los Angeles, and wondering if you are available to come consult on our DG pathways and dog area that were laid down incorrectly. We would like you to do them from scratch, if that's something you can take on.

Our garden design company we hired did not use a stabilizer and it's a mess, even though they've recompacted a few times to fix. They've done all the planting and everything else is complete, but we need to fix the DG and don't feel confident that they have enough experience.

It's two pathways in the back, approx 2' wide and 22' each, one in the front approx 2' wide and 40' long, plus a 13'x18' square in another area.

If you aren't available, do you have a Los Angeles referral for us?

Many thanks!

Chris

7/30/2020 09:23:39 am

Hi Edward, I just had DG installed on a 300 sf section of my backyard. It was not compacted in layers as recommended and instructed the contractor to do so. At this point my options are:
A. Remove a layer of the DG and compact, apply another layer of DG and compact
B. Compact and throw pea gravel or similar on top to get rid of the dirty look.

Question: Would B be make sense? Can I just put clean rock on top of DG?

Thanks

Leslie Cavagnero

11/7/2020 02:49:32 pm

I'm having the same problem. He didn't do it in layers and it's a muddy mess. Did you end up removing a layer, compacting and adding another layer? Or did you go with gravel on top.

Chris Pederson link

9/15/2020 01:09:58 pm

Thanks for sharing how decomposed granite can be a crushed stone too. I really want granite on my back patio but I want it to look unique. I'll look into getting crushed stone granite so my backyard will really stand out.

MARIA PARSONS

10/24/2020 10:07:26 am

Can DG be used for a pickleball court?

AZ Rock and Granite link

12/9/2020 11:26:08 pm

Very interesting blog, thanks for sharing.

Shelly

12/28/2020 11:24:06 am

Hi,
We had our backyard done by a professional designing company this year. There is a lot of DG. After the first rain last night, when I try to walk out it's like walking in quicksand and I sink in. It's a disaster. What can I do? Is this to be expected? I can tolerate mud but this sinking thing makes it impossible to access my own yard.

Maria C link

12/28/2020 03:30:06 pm

This wwas lovely to read

Michele

12/28/2020 06:44:32 pm

I’m landscaping about 1/4 of an acre in DG where we work and walk etc and the other 1/4-1/2 acres in rock. Should we do the layering of rock on the bottom tap down then 1” of DG tap down then repeat 2 more times? I live in AZ outside of Tucson, and we have a monsoon season. Is the DG permeable so the rain will sink through it even when it’s compacted?

Thank you for the information in the article. Got me to thinking. I’m not in favor of stabilizers.

Adam Golightly link

2/11/2021 02:47:00 pm

My uncle has been thinking about getting some better granite for his landscaping because he wants it to look a lot better. Making sure that he can get some help from a professional could allow him to be more effective. I liked what you said about how crushed granite can be used as a pavement material to get the right walking service.

Eli Richardson link

2/25/2021 01:19:26 pm

It really helped when you talked about how decomposed granite is a great material to work with for your landscaping project. My wife and I will be hosting a welcoming party for some friends in a few months. We're getting our house ready for the party, and we want to make our backyard pop out. That's why we want to renovate it, and we think your article will help us choose the best material for it. Thanks for the information about the benefits of working with decomposed granite.

Garden Design Christchurch link

3/28/2021 07:48:08 pm

It’s interesting to read what other people thought about decomposed granite pros cons and how it relates to them or their clients, as their perspective could possibly help you in the future.

Langley Paving Stone Patio link

4/9/2021 12:18:16 am

Hi, thank you for such a brilliant post. I have been reading some blogs that gives me more knowledge about decomposed granite pros cons; I must say this is one of the best among them. You have done a great research for I feel, thanks for sharing. Great to find https://showcaselandscapinginc.com/ which has same kind of wonderful tips, if possible then visit.

Bricklayer Auckland link

4/9/2021 04:10:30 am

These are some great information that you have shared here on decomposed granite pros cons. I really loved it and thank you very much for sharing this with us. You have a great visualization and you have really presented this content in a really good manner.

Sharon Marie Hopper

4/19/2021 10:39:35 am

I need to know if I can apply DG over rubber mulch

Braden Bills link

5/20/2021 07:00:06 am

I want to make sure that the hill in my back yard is nicely stabilized. It makes sense that I would want to consider using decomposed granite! That's definitely something getting a professional to help me out with.

Braden Bills link

5/28/2021 07:47:50 am

I want to make sure that I get the right fence for my home. It makes sense that I would want to get a nice fence that will last a long time. I'll be sure to get one that is tall enough to prevent intruders.

JOHN RIZZARDI

7/15/2021 06:16:45 am

I am curious if mixing polymeric sand with DG would offer any stabilization benefit, assuming it is installed on a compacted gravel base, then fabric, then compacted properly, wetted down per the polymeric instructions and bordered by 1/8 inch thick galvanized steel garden borders.

Mia Evans link

1/5/2022 08:08:20 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that decomposed granite can be used as crushed rock and be used as a pavement material. I just needed to know what are my options now that I plan to have a driveway made this year. It's because the car keeps getting stuck in the dirt whenever it rains, so we need to get it done before causing more damages.

John Carston link

7/13/2022 07:12:24 pm

I found it interesting when you said that you should consider your surface when planning to use landscaping situations. My wifey informed me yesterday that she wanted to have a concrete landscape edging for our patio border's appearance, and she asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. I appreciate this informative article, I'll be sure to consult trusted concrete landscape edging services as they can answer all our inquiries.

John Carston link

7/28/2022 10:07:57 pm

I appreciate that you explained that many minerals are included in every granite stone. My friend told me the other night that they were looking for an asphalt boulder and topsoil for the remodeling project of their garden, and he asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to do. I'm grateful for this enlightening article, I'll tell him that it will be much better if they consult a trusted boulder recycled aggregate company as they can provide more information about their services.

Tex Hooper link

9/7/2022 05:32:20 pm

I didn't know that you could meld clay with granite. I need to get a contractor to redo our driveway. I'll have to hire someone with good credentials to help out.

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