Gravel or Sand? What You Need to Know for Your Next Landscaping Project

Regarding landscaping, gravel and sand are the most popular materials people use. They can be incorporated into a wide variety of landscaping projects and can make a decorative impact on the outdoors of your property. Even better, gravel and sand are budget-friendly options, which is great if you’re a DIY enthusiast looking to try landscaping.

You’ll find that most landscapes or properties have spaces that could use a little bit of gravel and sand for shaping and decoration. So if you’re interested in using these materials for your landscaping project, here are some tips and advice from our experts at ASR Materials that you can follow to ensure your landscaping looks as best as possible.

Gravel

Gravel or rocks can be the perfect way to enhance a landscape or garden space, especially around structures in your residential or commercial property’s landscape. This material does not change or deteriorate after installation, which saves money and time in the long run, although the initial costs may be higher than other materials.

The best part about this type of landscaping is that it allows you to create a design that will last many years. Using gravel or rocks as your base material allows you to add soil, plants, and other items on top of them without having to worry about them sinking into the ground over time.

Pros

Gravel is an excellent choice for landscaping because it doesn’t decompose, doesn’t attract pests, and is durable.

Gravel doesn’t decompose like other organic materials, so it’s great for keeping your garden looking fresh year-round. It also won’t attract pests like weeds or bugs, which means you can keep your garden clean and tidy without worrying about a lot of upkeep. And because it’s made from rocks, gravel is super durable—it won’t break down or wear out over time (which means you won’t have to replace it every few years).

Cons

Gravel is a great way to add texture and contrast to your landscape, but it has drawbacks. It may be more expensive upfront than other materials, but it also absorbs heat better than dirt, so you may have to water it more often in the summer. 

Gravel can also sink into the soil over time, creating gaps in your garden bed if you fill them in with less gravel or another material that won’t sink.

Sand

Sand is an excellent option for use in landscaping. It’s easy to work with and can be used to create many different types of shapes and designs. To create a unique look, you can also mix sand with other materials, like gravel and water.

Pros

Sand is great for landscaping because it’s easy to install, requires little upkeep, and helps prevent weeds from growing.

Sand is uniform, meaning it will look the same from one area to another. This makes it easier for you to create an organized look with no areas that stand out as different from the rest.

Sand also requires minimal maintenance after installation and helps keep weeds from growing in your yard or garden.

Cons

Sand is a cheap, easy-to-use material that can give your yard or home a beautiful new look. But there are some downsides to using sand as a landscaping material.

First and foremost, sand tracks into your home and yard. It’s not hard to clean up after yourself (and you should do it!), but it’s something to be aware of if you’re planning on using sand in your landscaping.

Second, you’ll need to add more sand over time because it will gradually wash away. Finally, you can add mulch or other types of ground cover to help stop this from happening as quickly, but it’s still something to be aware of when considering whether or not sand is suitable for your project.

Choose ASR for Your Sand Gravel Needs

At Abraham Sand & Rock (ASR Materials), we put our reputation on the line with every project we provide. That’s why we make it our mission to provide you with only the highest-quality sand and gravel products. 

Our team is here to meet any of your project needs and requirements. It doesn’t matter if you need materials for construction and development, landscaping, or another project you might have in mind—we’ve got you covered!