A Comprehensive Guide
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Scientific Name:
Dolomitic marble
Other Name(s):
Polar ice gravel, polar ice stone, polar ice decorative stone, polar ice aggregate
Overview
This encyclopaedia listing aims to provide a comprehensive guide detailing the key product specifications, benefits, and popular applications for polar ice chippings.
With a distinctive blend of white, grey, and icy-blue tones, polar ice chippings are derived from premium marble stone, which allows them to shimmer in light. They offer a unique charm, stemming from their distinctive blend of stones, tones and texture that can easily enhance the allure of any decorative aggregate project.
As you navigate through this page, you will find links to valuable resources covering design fundamentals, inspirational ideas, and DIY-friendly 'how to' project instructables for various applications of polar ice chippings.
Polar Ice Chippings Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stone | 10mm - 20mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Neutral |
Material
Dolomite and marble
Colour
Blend of white, grey, and icy-blue
Shape
Angular
Size Range
10mm - 20mm polar ice chippings
Fall Safety
Unsuitable for play areas
Price
High compared to most decorative aggregates
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
No, not suitable for fish ponds
Eco-Friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Neutral
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Decorative aggregates, such as polar ice stone chippings, offer not only add a visual enhancement to gardens and landscape design but also contribute to soil health by reducing moisture loss and suppressing weed growth. They are a versatile tool in the designer's palette, creating focal points, defining spaces and pathways, and adding texture and colour to add contrast.
Specifically, polar ice chippings reflect light to brighten shaded areas and remain visually striking when wet, their hues intensifying to create dynamic, changing landscapes throughout all seasons and conditions.
Applications
Polar ice chippings in garden design are popular because they are a durable and natural solution for weed suppression, compaction and drainage. Moreover, they add light to areas by reflecting light, making them even more visually beneficial for use on paths. When polar ice chippings are used for the following applications, most of the above benefits will apply.
In the next section, we enumerate numerous popular uses for polar ice chippings, though this list is not exhaustive. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.
Informational & Inspirational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for polar ice chippings include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that polar ice chippings are not suitable for:
Similar Alternatives to Polar Ice Chippings
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to polar ice stone chippings but offer unique variations on the primary colour, offer more economical options or substitute where they may not be optimal for the project you are creating.
Name | Colours | Material | Size | Shape | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
red, white, black | 6-20mm (0.1-0.8") | rounded | UK, USA | |||
grey, blue | 10-40mm (0.4-1.6") | flaky, flat | UK, USA, EU | |||
grey, cream | Limestone | 6-20mm (0.1-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | ||
dark grey | Basalt | 5-20mm (0.2-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | ||
black, grey | Marble | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU |
Under £80
£80-£120
£120-£150
£150-£200
£200-£300
£300+
Maintenance
Polar ice chippings are low maintenance, especially when a heavy duty membrane is installed underneath. Most tasks involve periodic debris removal. To preserve their color and prevent algae or moss buildup, occasional power washing is recommended. Natural quarry materials also may have dust, which should be hosed off with water at the time of installation.
For further information on deep cleaning stone chippings, read our article: how to clean garden stones.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing polar ice chippings, it's crucial to consider the specific requirements of your project. Generally, the size you'll need is limited to 10-20mm polar ice chippings. While 20mm chippings are generally advisable for driveways, smaller 10mm chippings are better suited to footpaths, though they are not as readily available, so it is important to check if these are in stock.
Bulk Bag Estimator
Using a stone chippings calculator is one of the best and easiest ways to determine the right amount you need with just a few measurements. It provides results in cubic metres as well as the number of bulk bags you will need. Buying one polar ice gravel bulk bag is usually more cost-effective than purchasing many smaller bags, but do consider the space for storage and how you will move the aggregates. Also, make sure to consider delivery aspects, particularly vehicle access to the site.
FAQs
What size is golden gravel?
Golden gravel typically ranges in size from 10mm to 20mm (about 0.4 to 0.8 inches), providing a warm, light golden hue to add something to the landscape.
Is Panda gravel the same as black ice gravel?
Panda gravel is not identical to black ice gravel; Panda polar ice gravel often features a mix of white and black stones, reminiscent of the Panda's iconic colouration, whereas black ice gravel has a more uniform dark appearance.
What colours does gravel come in?
Gravel comes in a diverse palette, including but not limited to white, black, gold, red, green, and blue-grey. The ideal choice of colour often depends on the natural stone from which the gravel is produced.
What area will a 20kg bag of gravel cover?
Each polar ice chippings 20mm 20kg bag typically covers approximately 0.24m² however this may vary dependent on application depth. A 25kg bag of gravel can cover approximately 0.5 square meters (approximately approx 5.4 square feet) to a standard depth of approx 50mm (about approx 2 inches).
