The Most Popular Uses for Bluestone Flagging in Residential Landscapes

Bluestone flagging has a wide range of applications in the world of residential landscaping, and this material’s versatility is one of the major reasons it’s become so popular with homeowners.

Of course, its versatility complements its striking beauty; bluestone is one of the most attractive natural materials on the market.

It is available in a range of colors and tones to match your existing landscaping elements and your home’s architectural style.

One of the best things about bluestone is its ability to match just about any home style, from sleek and modern houses to classic estates and manors with old-world architecture.

With this in mind, let’s consider the many potential exterior and landscaping applications of bluestone flagging.

Bluestone Flagging: Landscaping Applications

Here are some of the most popular ways to make good use of bluestone flagging in your yard, garden and home exterior:

Bluestone steps: This is one of the most popular and enduring uses of bluestone; bluestone steps beautify your home, increase its curb appeal and enhance its overall resale value.
Pool decking and patios: Bluestone slabs can be used to create bold and original pool decking and patios; they are a particularly strong choice if you’re looking to maintain a natural look and feel.
Mantels and hearths: If you’re building an outdoor hearth or mantelpiece, bluestone makes an excellent choice, thanks to its outstanding durability, striking beauty and natural weather resistance.
Sills: Installing bluestone window sills can make a dramatic statement about your good taste, enhancing the appearance of stone, brick and wood exteriors.
Walls: You can also craft retaining walls and perimeter fences from bluestone to create a unique yet functional barrier that enhances your privacy while supporting slope and drainage characteristics.

Bluestone Flagging: Choosing a Supplier

Taking full advantage of these exciting bluestone products requires that you find a supplier that’s positioned to meet your needs in a way that delivers quality and value.

That’s why it’s not the best idea to purchase your bluestone products from a generalized supplier or big-box retailer. In most cases, the staff at these stores don’t have the specialized knowledge or experience to help you choose the right products for your application.

It’s far better to work with a bluestone supplier that specializes in quarrying and manufactures its own products. These suppliers offer a superior combination of value, expertise and excellent service.

They’re able to answer any and all questions you may have about the relative merits of specific colors, textures and bluestone finishes for specific applications. You’ll benefit from their knowledge and make a better choice – and that means you’ll get more value from your investment.

The other reason it pays to choose a bluestone supplier that quarries its own raw materials is that you will save money while enjoying a higher-quality product. Bluestone suppliers that outsource their raw materials have to pay markups, and that means your price will increase.

It’s a better value proposition to choose a supplier that generates its own raw materials, since they eliminate middle men and make better quality products at more affordable prices.

Bluestone Flagging in NJ

Braen Supply is New Jersey’s leading supplier of bluestone and quality stone landscaping and decorative products. The company quarries its own stone and manufactures its own products in-house, and the pride of its quality craftsmanship shows in every product we offer.

Serving customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the greater New York City area, Braen Supply is also pleased to offer valuable volume discounts to customers who purchase in bulk. Flexible and affordable delivery and drop-off services are also available.

A NJ Homeowner’s Guide to Bluestone Veneer

If you’re looking to dramatically improve the appearance of your NJ home’s natural stone elements, a bluestone veneer is an ideal solution. This affordable and durable stone is also one of the most striking and beautiful options on the market.

Bluestone is available in a range of tones and colors, ranging from vibrant blues and cool greens to neutral grays and rich lilacs. Various textures can also be used to create specific looks, from untreated natural surfaces to hand-crafted finishes.

With these principles in mind, here is your complete guide to buying a bluestone veneer in New Jersey.

Buying a Bluestone Veneer in NJ: Your Shopping Checklist

Get started in your search for bluestone veneers by researching the following important factors:

Bluestone options – Consider the color and texture characteristics that would work best with your existing decor elements. A wide variety of options are available for both interior and exterior use.
Quality and cost – Buying bluestone based on price alone can be a mistake, since you may be trading off quality to save a few dollars. That won’t work in the long run, since inferior products won’t last as long or perform as well.
Bluestone suppliers – There are a lot of bluestone suppliers out there, and it’s important to choose a company that offers comprehensive expertise, excellent customer service and friendly guidance to help you find the right product for your application.

Choosing a Bluestone Veneer Supplier in NJ

Knowing what to look for in a supplier will make it much easier to find the highest-quality bluestone for the best possible price. One of the most crucial factors is to choose a supplier that quarries its own stone.

Not only does this ensure higher quality, but it also makes that quality available at a lower cost, since the company doesn’t have to pay markups and middle men for its raw materials.

Next, it’s always better to work with a dedicated specialist than it is to source your bluestone from a jack-of-all-trades retailer.

When you choose a company that specializes in stone products, you’ll benefit from advanced expertise and superior service that comes from experience. You simply won’t find the same level of knowledge if you choose a general supplier.

Finally, if you need bulk quantities or delivery services, make sure the company offers volume discounts along with flexible delivery options.

Not all bluestone suppliers are made equal, and the company that goes the extra mile to earn your business is the one you want to work with.

Bluestone Veneer Varieties

The thickness of bluestone veneers is variable between 1.5 inches and 2 inches, with heights normally ranging from 2 to 4 inches and lengths varying from 8 inches to 24 inches.

Of course, custom options are available when you work with a dedicated supplier with in-house production capabilities.

As mentioned, bluestone is available in a wide range of colors and hues, and you can also choose from the following textures:

Patterned bluestone – Bluestone can be thermally treated to create uniform patterns that give the veneers a refined look and feel.
Natural cleft bluestone – This option preserves the bluestone’s natural appearance, offering irregular textures that create a rustic and wholesome look.
Irregular bluestone – If you want a more creative effect, consider irregular bluestone blocks, which can be arranged to build a unique and striking final product.

Trust Braen Supply to Meet All Your Bluestone Needs

Braen Supply is a leading supplier of bluestone products in New Jersey. At Braen Supply, we are pleased to offer excellent volume discounts, as well as friendly expert advice and flexible delivery and drop-off options.

Trust us to meet all your bluestone needs, whether you’re a construction contractor or a homeowner looking to increase the value of your property.

Bluestone Steps: How To Install Them in Your NJ Home

Bluestone Steps for Sale in NJ Bluestone steps offer one of the best combinations of beauty and affordability on the market.

Bluestone steps are sawn and thermaled for consistency and will generally be a blueish gray tone and can be rockfaced to add a rustic look.

Bluestone steps can significantly increase the value of your NJ home by adding to its curb appeal, which real estate experts identify as one of the most important and influential factors for would-be buyers.

If you’ve got the DIY spirit, installing bluestone steps will not be an enjoyable task.

With light duty equipment and someone with knowledge of installing bluestone steps, you can put in your new steps that will last the test of time.

Installing Bluestone Steps: Materials List

You will need the following tools and materials to complete the installation:

Bluestone steps (6″ thick).
Shovel.
Rubber mallet.
Gravel and sand.
Tape measure.
Light machinery.
Level.

Depending on how you plan to execute the installation, additional tools and materials may be required.

Installing Bluestone Steps: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to install your new bluestone steps, step by step:

Establish how many steps you will need for the project by determining the grade change from the top of the finished steps to the bottom.
Divide the total height difference in 6″ increments.
Establish the width of the steps that the area will allow or the desired width. (Keep in mind the wider you go, the heavier the step will be.)
Level the grade for the first step, dig down 4″ and fill and compact with clean gravel.
Ensure that the gravel is level and has a slight pitch from back to front.
Install base step and use a rubber mallet to ensure that step is level and has proper pitch.
Backfill back of step to top of base step.
Install next step with a 2″ overhang on the step prior.
Continue installing steps by following steps listed above until you have installed the total amount of desired steps.
Remember to keep the height of top step below finished grade for the landing.

If you’re unsure of your ability to complete the installation of your bluestone steps on your own, it is a very wise idea to invest in professional help. Remember: exterior elements play a major role in determining the value of your home.

Quality installations, as completed by a professional or an experienced, confident amateur, can add amazing value to your home and generate a positive return on the investment you’ve made in the raw materials.

On the other hand, poor workmanship can have a detrimental effect. Poorly installed steps will diminish your home’s curb appeal, and thus its value.

The bottom line is this: unless you have the utmost confidence in your ability to complete the installation on your own, it’s a good idea to at least consult a professional before continuing.

If you have little to no DIY experience, it’s a better idea to hire a contractor to complete the installation on your behalf. Installing bluestone steps is an intermediate-level project that requires some existing skills and construction experience.

Complete Support and Product Advice from Braen Supply

Braen Supply is a leading supplier of bluestone steps in New Jersey.

Serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the greater New York City area, Braen Supply offers an unbeatable combination of quality and competitive prices, backed up by extensive expertise, helpful advice and friendly customer service.

Braen Supply is also pleased to offer excellent volume discounts to contractors making bulk purchases, and features delivery and drop-off services to customers located across its service area.

To learn more about our exciting range of bluestone products, or for any other inquiries, please contact us at Braen Supply.

The Best Places to Buy Bluestone for Landscaping in NJ

Bluestone landscaping products add a dash of color to a wide range of outdoor projects, from patios and sills to walls and gardens.

This attractive, versatile and durable material ranges from the signature blue that gives the stone its name to shades of green, grey and lilac.

In addition to the color and tone options, bluestone landscaping materials are also available in a range of finishes.

Options include:

Patterned bluestone: These products are specially treated to have a uniform
finish.
Natural cleft bluestone: Natural bluestone is hand-split by expert craftsmen to maintain the stone’s innate texture.
Irregular bluestone: If you prefer a more free-form and creative look, irregular bluestone may be your best option.

If you’re interested in adding bluestone landscaping products to your home’s garden and exterior features, you should take the time to carefully research suppliers as well as the various bluestone options on the market.

What Makes a Great Supplier of Bluestone Landscaping Products?

Extensive knowledge and expertise: If you buy landscaping products from a big-box home improvement retailer or other generalized supplier, you might get a better price, but you’re trading off the value that comes with expert customer service. Choosing a specialty retailer gives you access to extensive expertise that can help you make a better decision that will boost your home’s resale value while beautifying its exterior.

Bluestone Landscaping Product Suppliers: Other Factors to Consider

In addition to carefully considering the bluestone supplier, you should also assess your own needs.

Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself:

Do you need a detailed explanation of the relative merits of the different types of bluestone the supplier offers?
Do you have an ongoing need for a large volume of bluestone landscaping products?
Do you need additional services like delivery or drop-off?

Bulk suppliers are able to offer volume discounts to customers who make large purchase orders, and delivery and drop-off services add to the supplier’s value proposition. If you’re looking to get these needs filled, trust the stone experts at Braen Supply.

Trust Braen Supply for the Best-Quality Bluestone Landscaping Products in New Jersey

Braen Supply is New Jersey’s leading supplier of stone products, including bluestone landscaping and decorative materials. At Braen Supply, we quarry our own stone and manufacture all our products in-house.

We take great pride in what we do, and because we mind our own raw materials, we are able to generate significant competitive advantages and pass the savings on to our valued customers.

We also have many years of experience and extensive expertise, so if you have questions about the suitability of a particular bluestone product for a specific application, we’re always happy to help.

In addition to premium products at great prices, we’re also pleased to offer flexible delivery and drop-off services to support our elite value proposition.

Bluestone Hearths for Sale in NJ

Bluestone Hearth for Sale in NJ and NY Indoor and outdoor fireplaces are very attractive decorative features that can add significant value to your NJ home.

If you’re thinking about installing a new fireplace or refurbishing an existing fireplace, a bluestone hearth is a striking option that complements the quality and character of virtually every major architectural and interior design style.

The bluestone hearth has become one of the most popular options on the market. Homeowners love the durability, versatility and ease of maintenance.

However, it’s important to carefully evaluate the various suppliers on the market to be sure you’re getting the best available quality at the lowest possible price.

With that in mind, here are the factors you should consider when shopping for a bluestone hearth and looking for a reputable supplier.

Buying a Bluestone Hearth in NJ: Stylistic Considerations

The main reason people choose bluestone for hearths and fireplaces is the material’s powerful, natural beauty and its ability to draw the eye. It is particularly effective when used in combination with other stone elements, whether indoors or outdoors. Bluestone creates a rustic yet luxurious look that works in both casual and formal settings.

A Bluestone hearth comes in a blueish gray color and is thermaled but it can be roackfaced on the face of the hearth for a more rustic look.

Choosing a Bluestone Hearth Supplier in NJ

Finding a reputable bluestone hearth supplier in NJ requires that you understand some basic principles. While you might find rock-bottom prices through big-box retailers, you’re likely trading off quality and value to save some money.

Over the long run, this strategy won’t save you money, as inferior products don’t add as much value to your home and won’t perform as well.

Instead, choose a bluestone supplier that offers these important value propositions:

Dedication and expertise: When you choose a supplier that deals only in stone products, you’ll benefit from their advanced expertise and deep understanding of production and application principles.
Excellent service: The best suppliers back up their quality and value by providing customers with flexible delivery and drop-off options, as well as helpful expert advice.

Bluestone Hearth Prices in NJ

Factors that influence the cost of bluestone include the source of the raw material, the quality of the craftsmanship and the amount of product you’re buying.

Suppliers who offer their own fabrication on site are able to offer superior workmanship without inflated price tags. Finally, as with many products, you’ll save more when you buy more.

Why You Should Choose Braen Supply for Your New Bluestone Hearth

Braen Supply is New Jersey’s leading supplier of bluestone hearths and stone products for outdoor landscaping and interior design.

At Braen Supply, we fabricate the stone on site, ensuring premium quality at the lowest possible prices.

Our expert technicians apply elite skills to the manufacturing and finishing of all our products, along with affordable and flexible delivery and drop-off services.

Gravel Calculator: Free Online Tool

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Using a gravel calculator is an ideal way to accurately plan your inventory needs for larger-scale projects, and to make sure you purchase just the right amount of gravel for one-off jobs.

Understanding how these handy online tools work is essential to harnessing their power to help you save money and maximize your budget.

What Is a Gravel Calculator?

A gravel calculator is an online tool that allows you to enter known information regarding your project, such as the surface area you need to cover and the depth to fill it.

Once you’ve filled in these fields, the calculator will automatically determine the volume of gravel you need to buy to complete your project.

Online gravel calculators are widely available for instant use, free of cost or obligation.

Benefits of Using a Gravel Calculator

The primary benefit of using a gravel calculator is that it allows you to plan your inventory needs quickly and accurately. You’ll be able to proceed with your job secure that you have enough gravel on hand to finish it, and without worrying that you’ve purchased too much.

To that end, a gravel calculator can also help you save money. You’ll avoid overstocking your supply, leaving you with excess gravel that you have no immediate purpose for.

Similarly, you won’t have to scramble to buy more gravel at the last minute, which could come at a premium if you’re forced to use a different supplier than you’re used to, or if you have to pay extra for rush delivery.

Finally, gravel calculators are convenient. Because you won’t have a lot of leftover supply, you won’t have to worry about finding a place to store a large volume of excess material.

They also help construction projects proceed on schedule, which can be a boon to contractors looking to enhance their reputations for getting jobs done in a timely manner.

How Do I Use a Gravel Calculator?

It’s easy to use gravel calculators. Begin by determining the length and width of the area to be covered, and the depth to which you need to fill it.

Pay close attention to units of measurement; most gravel calculators are calibrated to calculate length and width in feet and depth in inches, but this may vary. If necessary, use an online measurement conversion tool.

Once you’ve filled in the required fields, simply click the “calculate” button (or its equivalent) to generate your answer.

From there, you can contact local gravel suppliers to see which of them offers the best price and service terms for the amount of product you need.

What Will a Gravel Calculator Tell Me?

Gravel calculators are designed to tell you how much gravel you will need to complete a project, not how much that gravel will cost.

You’ll have to determine costs on your own by shopping around with various suppliers until you find the right product at the right price.

Note that not all gravel calculators are designed to help you figure out how much gravel you need to fill in oddly shaped areas, or projects being undertaken in complex or nontraditional locations.

For example, if depth measurements vary, or if the surface can’t be measured in linear terms (because it is circular, ovular or irregularly shaped), you may not be able to calculate your material needs with a simple gravel calculator.

In such cases, don’t hesitate to draw on the help of an expert. Find a reputable local gravel supply company and give them a call to discuss your needs in detail.

If they’re worthy of your business, they’ll be more than happy to take the time to talk through your project-specific needs in detail.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][templatera id=”7545″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Gravel Calculator: How To Use One For Your Project

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Using a gravel calculator is an excellent way to make the most of your project budget and ensure it proceeds on time and without undue delays or inconveniences.

Gravel calculators are simple online tools that allow you to figure out how much gravel you need to purchase to fill in a given area to the required depth.

How a Gravel Calculator Works

To use gravel calculators, begin by measuring the length and width of the surface area you want to cover with gravel, then determine the depth to which you want to fill that area.

Armed with these metrics, you will be able to fill in the calculator’s fields to generate quick, answers that tell you roughly how much gravel you will need to purchase to complete your project.

Note that most online gravel calculators are designed to calculate volume needs for projects with linear dimensions. In other words, they may not support ovular, circular or irregular shapes.

If your project involves an area with an unusual shape that can be broken down into constituent squares or rectangles, calculate each segment separately, then add up the individual volume totals to arrive at a final measurement.

Benefits of Using a Gravel Calculator

Gravel calculators offer users many important benefits, including:

Cost control. Gravel calculators ensure you purchase just the right amount of material, instead of too much or too little. Buying too much gravel is tantamount to wasting money, while buying too little can leave you scrambling to finish a project and may force you to pay more than you need to in order to make up the shortfall.
Planning accuracy. Accurate planning helps you keep projects on schedule, which can enhance your reputation if you’re a contractor. Time is always at a premium whenever you’re working on a construction or landscaping project, and gravel calculators help you make the most of the time you have available by striking one more worry off your list.
Convenience. Gravel calculators are more than just helpful planning tools; they are also highly convenient, both during your project and in the immediate aftermath of its completion. By accurately predicting how much gravel you’ll need for your project, you’ll liberate yourself from having to deal with excess supply after the fact.

Tips for Using a Gravel Calculator

Here are some helpful tips to help you get the most out of online gravel calculators:

Pay close attention to unit measurements. With most calculators, the default calibrations are in feet for length and width measurements, and in inches for depth measurements. Yours may vary, so be sure to convert these prior to filling in the required fields.
Be mindful of calculator limitations if your project is located in an unusual area, such as a sloped landscape which will be filled to varying depths. Such shapes can be tricky to plan for using default calculating devices.
Don’t hesitate to lean on an expert for help if you’re having trouble generating accurate calculations, or if your project parameters make it difficult for you to arrive at accurate results using default tools.

What to Look For in a Gravel Calculator

Beyond flexible, comprehensive fields that generate accurate results, you should look for gravel calculators that are not on websites filled with unnecessary ads or pop-ups.

You should also avoid gravel calculators that require you to enter personal information, such as your name or email address, before you are permitted to access the calculator’s features.

To that end, it’s best to use gravel calculators which are hosted on the websites of reputable gravel suppliers.

This way, you can be sure the site isn’t looking to lure you in so it can tack cookies or tracking software onto your computer; instead, you’re dealing with a company looking to add value to your online experience, and that’s a hallmark of a gravel supplier you’ll want to have on your side.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][templatera id=”7545″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Buy Pea Gravel in NJ for Driveways, Walkways & Paths

Pea gravel is among the most versatile and easily maintained exterior decoration and landscaping materials on the market.

It has a wide range of applications, but is most often used to top residential driveways, walkways and paths.

Compared to alternatives, pea gravel offers a long list of benefits in each of these three areas.

Benefits of Gravel Driveways

Compared to interlocking bricks, concrete and asphalt, pea gravel offers superior performance for a lower price.

While interlocking bricks are beautiful and durable, they cost more to install.

In contrast, pea gravel is easy to install and requires very little maintenance apart from occasionally smoothing out the driveway surface and topping up the gravel supply.

Building a gravel driveway is a straightforward DIY project that doesn’t require much experience or know-how, and its versatility makes it ideal for driveways of all shapes and sizes.

Benefits of Gravel Walkways

When it comes to walkways, the benefits of gravel once again shine through. As with driveways, pea gravel walkways are very easy to design and install, and it’s a project that most people can handle without the need to hire a contractor or landscaping professional.

Gravel walkways are also an attractive feature, adding to your home’s curb appeal while reducing maintenance needs. Maintaining a gravel walkway is very easy, requiring little if any effort once installation is complete.

Because walkways don’t have to deal with the same volume of heavy traffic as your driveway does, you have more room to get creative. Decorative gravel products can enhance appearance and can be used to create a striking complement to your home’s beauty.

Best of all, these benefits are available for very low costs, delivering a return on investment in the form of an increased home resale value.

Benefits of Gravel Paths

Adding a path to your garden or landscape is an ideal way to help keep foot traffic off your lawn while enhancing its overall visual appeal. Building a pea gravel garden path is very easy; simply plot out its shape, dig up the path, add landscaping fabric to prevent weeds from growing, install bordering elements and top the path with gravel.

Once you’ve completed the job, you’ll have very little to worry about in terms of maintenance.

As with gravel walkways, pea gravel paths can make creative use of decorative product variations that raise your garden’s esthetic effect.

These benefits combine to make gravel one of the most popular choices on the market for people seeking to add a path to their backyard landscape.

Why You Should Buy Gravel Directly from a Direct Supplier

There are many third-party suppliers of pea gravel out there, many of which claim to offer the best prices on the market. The problem is that those suppliers don’t have the specialized knowledge and expertise to guide you to the best possible product for your intended application, or to walk you through the relative benefits of the many varieties of gravel which are available.

When you source your pea gravel directly from a direct supplier, you can be sure that you’ll have access to the kind of specialized expertise you need to make the right decision.

Braen Supply is a leading supplier of gravel, offering premium-quality products at highly competitive prices along with value-added service and affordable, flexible delivery options.

Braen Supply proudly serves customers throughout New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania and the New York City area.

How to Choose Pea Gravel for your Driveway

Pea gravel driveways offer many benefits to homeowners, including curb appeal and a relatively low cost of installation.

These advantages make it one of the more popular alternatives to asphalt, and it’s also environmentally friendly.

Installing a pea gravel driveway is relatively easy and inexpensive, especially if you’re building a brand-new driveway from scratch.

However, if you’re going to replace an aging asphalt or brick driveway, you may want to enlist the help of an experienced contractor, since loosening and removing these types of permanent materials requires specialized equipment and expertise.

With those factors in mind, here’s a breakdown of the various considerations you should make if you’re thinking about switching to a pea gravel driveway.

Driveway Shape

Is your driveway going to be straight, or do you want it to bend or twist? How wide or long is it going to be? Certain styles of gravel suit specific shapes and designs in different ways. For example, pea gravel products with smaller stones make driving over the driveway easier.

Larger driveways benefit from smaller varieties of pea gravel. This will give the driveway a more refined appearance; large chunks of stone covering a relatively broad area tends to create a somewhat haphazard look, which you’ll most likely want to avoid.

Driveway Use

When choosing a variety of gravel for your driveway, you should also consider how much use you expect the driveway to get.

While pea gravel is a highly durable material no matter what size you choose, you should keep in mind that smaller types of gravel will demand more maintenance in heavier-traffic situations. This is because moving vehicles will dislodge small gravel stones more easily, making ongoing maintenance a more likely necessity.

Larger stones will stay in place a little more easily, but again, they might not be the best option from an aesthetic standpoint. If you need any help choosing a gravel size or style, don’t hesitate to consult an expert — they’ll be more than happy to offer you the guidance you require to make the best selection for your purposes.

Pea Gravel Maintenance

One of the very best things about gravel driveways is that they are very low-maintenance. Concrete driveways crack and chip over time, creating unsightly gaps that can be costly and inconvenient to repair.

Asphalt driveways need regular coats of tar and other protective products or they, too, will start to wear down. Interlocking brick does liberate you from these drawbacks, but only if you’re willing to pay slightly more for installation.

Pea gravel requires very little maintenance, other than the occasional topping up of dislodged pebbles.

Otherwise, gravel is highly weather-resistant and you will never need to worry about the material losing its natural appearance. If you’re looking for a no-chipping, no-cracking, low-cost driveway material, pea gravel simply can’t be beat.

Buying Pea Gravel

Before you purchase gravel, you should take the time to research various local suppliers to determine which of them offers the best product at the best possible price.

Remember: there’s more to consider than just the bottom line. You should also consider the supplier’s customer service track record and expertise, since these intangibles can make a huge difference when it comes to getting value for your money.

To that end, it’s best to buy your gravel from a quarry that produces it themselves. Not only does this ensure you’ll get a top-quality product for a competitive price, but it also ensures you’ll have access to knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the right gravel product for your specific application.

Third-party vendors and suppliers often lack the specialized knowledge needed to guide their customers to the best decisions.

Braen Supply is a leading supplier of pea gravel, with the capability to make bulk deliveries to areas across New Jersey as well as New York State, New York City and Pennsylvania.

Braen Supply quarries its own gravel, and its expert staff is always happy to help customers make the right decisions for their unique project needs.

How To Use Decorative Pea Gravel in Your Landscape

Decorative pea gravel is one of the most versatile landscaping and gardening materials on the market.

It has an extremely broad range of applications for both commercial and residential properties, and professionals make extensive use of this handy material in many different situations.

If you’re looking for new ways to use decorative pea gravel, these ideas will help you find exciting and creative applications for this essential product.

Walkways

Decorative pea gravel is an excellent material for walkways, particularly if you’re going for a more rustic, rural-inspired look.

Pea gravel supports efficient and effective water drainage, making it a particularly strong choice for high-traffic commercial and residential walkways, especially in climates that tend to get a lot of seasonal rainfall.

Patios

Paving a patio can be expensive, and it may not create the kind of look you’re after. It also doesn’t make a lot of sense to leave patio areas covered with grass, especially if you’re planning to add recreational features, like an outdoor dining area or barbecue pit.

Decorative pea gravel is a cost-effective and versatile solution for your patio. It absorbs the impact of heavy foot traffic far better than grass, yet isn’t anywhere near as expensive as finished pavement.

Pea gravel also helps you maintain a natural look, something many people strive to create in their backyards.

Edging

Attention to detail is what separates good landscaping from great landscaping, and decorative pea gravel is an ideal material for edging applications.

It provides an easily maintained and cost-effective supplemental element, helping draw attention to central landscape features while supporting drainage and weed control.

Water Features

If you have a swimming pool, or if you’ve added outdoor water features to your property, decorative pea gravel is well worth considering as a bordering element.

It provides an ideal base for the ground around fountains, as the design of many fountains can make lawn maintenance in the local vicinity difficult to maintain. Decorative pea gravel is also a low-maintenance alternative to concrete.

Marine hobbyists also regularly add an inch or two of pea gravel to the bottoms of their aquariums. It’s an inexpensive and attractive way to create an environment that mimics that of the natural world.

Driveways

Pea gravel is easy on car tires, offering excellent shock absorption and drainage characteristics. That’s part of the reason it is one of the most commonly used materials in residential driveways.

As an added benefit, pea gravel supports safe and careful motion in your driveways, as it discourages people from traveling at elevated speeds.

It’s also far easier to maintain than pavement or asphalt, making it a more cost-effective and convenient choice.

Mulch Replacement

Finally, pea gravel can also be used as an alternative to mulch in gardens and around plants. However, before applying it, you should do your research to make sure it won’t affect the health of your plants to cover the ground they depend on with gravel.

The water permeability of pea gravel generally supports the health and longevity of plants, but some plant species will thrive more fully with mulch or natural surrounding elements.

Choosing a Decorative Pea Gravel Supplier

When considering various suppliers of pea gravel, it’s important to take several key factors into account.

First, consider whether or not the supplier makes their own pea gravel, or whether they source it from a third party.

Choose a supplier that manufactures their own products whenever possible, as they will offer advanced expertise along with prices that are generally lower, given the absence of markups and middle men.

Next, also think about your own needs; what quantities do you need, and are you able to pick it up yourself or do you require delivery? If you need bulk supplies, or if you prefer your decorative pea gravel delivered, then it’s vital to find a supplier that offers flexible, convenient and affordable delivery services.

Not all suppliers do, and when it comes to landscaping supply companies, customer service makes a major difference.