Cream, Grey and Brown Flint Stones
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Geological name(s):
Microcrystalline quartz
Other Name(s):
Flint chard, chard stone, buff gravel, buff flint gravel, white flint gravel, chard flint gravel, chard flint chippings, chard flint stones, cream flint gravel
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Chard flint gravel, also known as buff gravel, is an economical and hard-wearing decorative aggregate. Golden in colour with its shades of cream, grey and brown giving it a natural look, chard flint offers a distinctive appeal, serving not only as a functional material but also as an aesthetic enhancer. Flint is a hard, tough sedimentary rock that breaks with a conchoidal fracture. It is a form of microcrystalline quartz known as "chert".
This is a comprehensive encyclopaedia listing about chard flint gravel, a hardscape and construction aggregate. It details the product's specifications, accompanied by photographs, and outlines its benefits, applications, and incompatibilities as a landscaping material. Additionally, this entry serves as a gateway to a wealth of DIY resources, with a list of comparable alternatives, articles offering design inspiration and fundamental principles, and a collection of straightforward, step-by-step instructions for constructing your own hardscaping features.
Chard Flint Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flint | 10-20mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Neutral |
Size Range
10-20mm (0.4 - 0.8")
20mm chard flint, chard flint chippings 10-20mm
Fall Safety
Unsuitable for play surfaces
Price
Mid
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
Yes
Eco-friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Neutral
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Decorative aggregates like chard flint offer numerous benefits in gardening and landscaping designs. They enhance the outdoor aesthetic, provide excellent drainage, suppress weed growth, and require minimal maintenance. Flint aggregates are versatile and can be used in a variety of design themes.
Chard flint is renowned for its rich blend of gold, cream, grey and brown hues, adds a natural yet stylish finish to any setting. Its angular shape ensures firm interlocking, making it ideal for pathways and driveways. The unique colour palette of chard flint harmonises with a wide range of landscaping elements, making it a popular choice among garden enthusiasts and professional landscapers alike.
Applications
Chard flint is primarily used in decorative landscaping, driveways, paths and garden borders. Its natural colour palette complements greenery and floral arrangements, enhancing the overall light in outdoor spaces. Flint is fish-friendly, making it suitable for use in ponds and water features containing aquatic life. Chard flint can be combined with products including cement, sharp sand and water to produce fine concrete.
In the following section, we list many common chard flint gravel uses. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.
Inspiration and Informational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for chard flint include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that chard flint gravel may not be suitable for:
- 1Areas with fine plantings: If you have creepers or low-growing plants in your garden gravel can make it harder for these plants to thrive, as it may interfere with their root systems as they try to grow.
- 2Erosion control: On steep slopes or areas with significant inclines, the loose nature of the gravel can make it prone to movement which can be problematic on slopes. A gravel grid should be in place as a minimum.
- 3Play surfaces
Similar Alternatives
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to chard flint. They may offer you a more suitable variation on the primary colour, a more economical option, or a close substitute for cases where the base material may be unsuitable for the project you are creating, e.g. limestone is not fish-friendly, where slate is.
Name | Colours | Material | Size | Shape | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
buff, white | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | |||
grey speckled | Granite | 3-20mm (0.12-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | ||
pale yellow | 5-20mm (0.2-0.8") | angular | UK, USA | |||
black, white, grey, red | 6-20mm (0.25-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | |||
golden, brown | Flint | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | rounded | UK, USA | ||
white | Marble | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU |
Under £80
£80-£120
£120-£150
£150-£200
£200-£300
£300+
Maintenance
Chard flint are generally low maintenance, especially when a heavy duty membrane is installed underneath to suppress weeds, with most work limited to raking and the occasional removal of debris. It is recommended to occasionally power wash the product in order to maintain its original color and prevent the buildup of algae or moss. Natural quarry materials may also have dust which should be washed off with water during installation. For areas with heavy foot traffic, such as paths or footpaths, replenishing the gravel may be necessary over time to maintain depth and coverage.
For more on how to clean gravel, read our article: how to clean garden stones.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing chard flint, consider the size options and quantity necessary for your project. Where available, it is cost-effective to request a sample to assess the stone's colour and quality against your design requirements. Also, consider the different sizes; for instance, chard flint 20mm is typically used for driveways, while smaller 10mm and 6mm gravels are better suited to footpaths.
Our gravel calculator will give you a quick and unbiased estimate for your project needs just by taking a few measurements of the space. It is one of the best and easiest ways to order the right amount and helps avoid shortfalls or over-spending. Purchasing a chard flint bulk bag or ordering in loose loads can offer better value than purchasing in smaller quantities. Therefore, calculating accurately can save both time and money. It is also important to consider the delivery aspects, including vehicle access to the site. Additionally, you should check stock availability and factor in VAT and transportation costs if applicable.
FAQs
Where does golden gravel come from?
Golden gravel is sourced from quarries where natural stone is mechanically screened and processed. It's commonly found in regions with abundant quartzite deposits.
Where can I buy golden gravel near me?
Golden gravel is widely available at garden centres, landscaping supply stores, and through online suppliers. Check local listings for suppliers in your area.
How much does a gold gravel bulk bag typically cover?
The area covered by a bulk bag of golden gravel depends on factors such as gravel density and spreading depth. However, as a general guideline, a 1-tonne bulk bag of 20mm golden shingle with a particle size of 50mm (2 inches) can typically cover an area of approximately 10-12 square meters (108-129 square feet) when spread at a depth of 50mm (2 inches).
