If you’ve ever heard “clean rock” or “washed stone,” it’s referring to the amount of fines (small particles) in the material.
- Washed/clean stone: most fines removed → better drainage
- Stone with fines: includes fine particles → better compaction
Why it matters
Fines change how a material behaves:
- They can bind the aggregate together when compacted
- They can also clog void spaces and reduce drainage
So the best choice depends on whether your project needs drainage or lock-up.
When washed/clean stone is usually the right choice
- Drainage applications (application-dependent)
- Areas where you want fewer muddy fines tracking
- Some decorative installs where appearance matters
When stone with fines is usually the right choice
- Base layers that need compaction (driveways, pads, approaches—spec dependent)
- Working surfaces where you want the material to “set” tight
Ordering tip: describe the job, not just the name
“Clean stone” and “base” names vary by region. When ordering, it helps to say:
- what it’s going under (asphalt, concrete, pavers, decorative bed)
- whether you need it to drain or compact
- any spec you’re working to (DOT/engineer)
Bulk delivery notes
- Minimum order is 12 tons per product
- One product per truckload (no mixed loads)
- Larger commercial jobs may qualify for project pricing
Next step: enter your ZIP for delivered pricing.