Whether for a large-scale commercial construction project or a straightforward domestic job, there are a wide range of uses for crushed concrete. Here at Middleton Tipper Services, we put together our guide, 6 Uses for Crushed Concrete, highlighting its many purposes and benefits.
What is Crushed Concrete?
It may be a common material used throughout the construction industry, but what is crushed concrete?
Typically sourced from leftover waste from demolition sites, crushed concrete consists of recycled asphalt debris and is incredibly versatile. Sometimes known as crushed aggregate, crushed concrete is a popular material in the construction industry due to its low cost and sustainability.
Uses for Crushed Concrete
Whether as an essential aspect of a landscaping project or simply for decoration, crushed concrete has a variety of uses. Below, we highlight six ways to use the highly functional material.
As a Base for a Driveway
Incredibly popular with homeowners and businesses across the country, crushed concrete makes the ideal base for a driveway due to being easy to repair and maintain.
Crushed concretes durable nature also ensures it can comfortably withstand the weight of several heavy vehicles. However, repeated use from heavy vehicles can lead to potholes forming, which will require regular maintenance to resolve.
The process of laying the crushed concrete is also relatively straightforward, with the concrete evenly spread out atop the compacted soil of the driveway. Due to its permeability, crushed concrete is also ideal for helping avoid large areas of pooling water after rainfall.
As a Track or Road Surfacing
Sturdy in nature, crushed concrete makes an ideal solution for tracks or road surfacing as it can comfortably manage regular traffic and footfall. If the crushed concrete is also sourced from the same supplier or demolition project, it is likely to be similar in colouring and size, ideal for creating a uniform design.
Drainage
Whether to prevent pooling rainwater on a walkway or to allow water to pass through as part of an outdoor feature, crushed concretes permeability makes it ideal drainage material.
Crushed concrete is a more cost-effective alternative to gravel and other forms of drainage, while it is also environmentally friendly, making it suitable for all types of environment.
Landscaping
From creating garden pathways to raising garden beds, crushed concrete provides a wealth of solutions for landscaping projects. Hardwearing in nature and available in different grades, crushed concrete makes a popular substitute for soil and can be adapted for various landscaping purposes.
Retaining Walls
Ideal for helping reinforce walls or controlling natural erosion, crushed concrete is widely implemented as a strengthening material in construction projects. When used to create a base layer for a retaining wall, smaller pieces of crushed concrete will first be added before larger chunks of concrete are added over the top and packed with dirt.
Crushed concrete is also ideal for levelling unstable ground before constructing a wall or other structure, ensuring a smoother, safer building process.
Decoration
Crushed concrete is also highly versatile, with it being available in various sizes and grades, making it ideal for meeting a desired style or aesthetic. So whether adding a decorative finish to a driveway or creating unique stepping-stones across a garden, there are a wealth of design options with crushed concrete.
Benefits of Crushed Concrete
One of the reasons crushed concrete is so popular throughout the construction industry is the many benefits it offers. These include:
Cost-effective
Due to the efficient process of acquiring crushed concrete from demolition sites, the price is typically much more cost-efficient than its many alternatives.
Sustainable
Reusing leftover concrete from a construction site is a highly sustainable as it reuses concrete with no other purpose and reduces carbon emissions produced during the concrete manufacturing process.
Variety of Uses
Crushed concretes versatility makes it an effective material for all sorts of construction projects, from reinforcing walls to improving the aesthetic appeal of a garden pathway.
What are the different grades of crushed concrete?
Crushed concrete is available in a range of grades which determine the size and strength of the concrete pieces. Types of crushed concrete include:
21AA Crushed Concrete
Typically used for driveways and walkways, 21AA Crushed Concrete is roughly 1.5” in size, making it ideal for drainage.
22A Crushed Concrete
Consisting of typically smaller pieces than 21AA, 22A Crushed Concrete is a popular choice for driveways as its size helps create a smoother driving surface.
6A Crushed Concrete
A commonly chosen option for walkways, 6A Crushed Concrete is a clean crushed concrete ideal for areas which struggle with muddy conditions.
Used for crushed concrete: final thoughts
We hope our guide to 6 Uses for Crushed Concrete has highlighted the many uses and benefits of crushed concrete for construction projects.
Here at Middleton Tipper Services Ltd, we offer a range of high-quality and affordable services, including supplying and delivering crushed concrete across Kent from our base in Herne Bay. To learn more about what we do, give us a call today on 01227 532 688, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
