Please see the full listing section below for comprehensive specifications, benefits and uses for Limestone chippings — as well as links to inspirational garden ideas and do-it-yourself guides.
Limestone Chippings
Price range: £117.00 through £181.00 inc. VAT
Our limestone chippings 20mm provide a tough, reliable foundation for construction and landscaping projects with their pale grey to buff tones and angular, crushed shape that compacts firmly for lasting stability. These durable chippings offer excellent load-bearing strength and superb free-draining properties. Perfect for:
- sub-base layers under driveways, patios and paths
- concrete mixes as a strong coarse aggregate
- pipe bedding
- budget-friendly driveways and paths
- trench backfill and permeable paving bases
The interlocking angular pieces ensure superior compaction and drainage, while helping suppress weeds when laid over a membrane. A versatile, hard-wearing option that’s low-maintenance and built to handle UK weather.
Gravel Calculator
You need ≈ 640 kgs
(0.4 m³)
Note: No compaction/settlement included.
Add 10-20% extra for compaction & wastage if required.
Add 10-20% extra for compaction & wastage if required.
| Size | 6mm, 10mm, 20mm |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 20 x 20kg Mini Bags, 40 x 20kg Mini Bags, 850kg Bulk Bag |
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Specifications, Inspirational Ideas & DIY Guides
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Specifications, Why Professionals & Homeowners Choose, Applications, Inspirational Ideas, DIY Guides, Maintenance, Purchasing Tips, FAQs, Related Products
Overview
After years of utilising crushed limestone on driveway contracts from Croydon extensions to Bristol sub base installations, 20mm limestone chippings have become one of my default choices whenever a project demands a serious load-bearing base that binds. The angular interlocking guarantees rock-solid compaction while still allowing rapid water percolation that keeps bases dry all year round. The 20mm limestone chippings deliver the solid driveway construction with a clean look that finishes a job beautifully at a price that won’t break the bank. Read on for the technical specs and results from multiple construction applications – along with everything else you need before ordering.
Specifications
Why Professionals & Homeowners Choose Limestone Chippings
Limestone chippings compact into a dense, stable layer that handles heavy traffic and harsh British conditions. From dozens of UK jobs, here are the standout results:
- Outstanding Load-Bearing: The 20mm size compacts tightly to distribute weight evenly; on a two-storey extension sub-base in Croydon it took a 7t excavator for weeks with minimal settlement.
- Exceptional Drainage: Water disappears fast even after torrential rain. A flood-prone driveway rebuild near Exeter stayed bone-dry throughout the following winter thanks to this 20mm layer.
- Superior Interlocking: Angular edges grip far better than rounded stone, preventing lateral movement on slopes or under turning vehicles.
- Great Sub Base: Holds structural integrity year after year in harsh weather – I’ve never had a properly laid job fail.
- Versatile Dual-Purpose Value: Works equally well as hidden hardcore or visible top dressing, letting contractors keep just one stockpile on site.
Here are some examples from previous installations:
Applications
The high-calcium composition of limestone chippings deliver the mechanical performance demanded by construction landscaping while their subtle grey to white colour creates a professional finish to surfaces. They can work beautifully with alkaline-tolerant plants such as Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Achillea millefolium, Festuca glauca and Eryngium planum for low-maintenance borders and traffic zones.
Some colleagues say that limestone is not suitable for French drains. This is due to the fact that they degrade over time which will eventually lead to clogging and failure, because as they deteriorate they tend to pack down like a sub base. I don't fully agree, but if it's a very long term, deep installation, eventually they will degrade, so consider the importance and depth of the drain. Also, I avoid limestone chippings around acid-loving shrubs (they raise soil pH), in children’s play zones, or directly in fish ponds, as alkaline leaching can affect water chemistry.
- Sub-Base Layers & Foundations – 20mm crushed limestone for stable hardcore beneath patios, sheds and conservatories when laid 100-150mm compacted.
- Driveway Bases & Surfaces – As both base and wearing course on residential drives – superb compaction and drainage in one material.
- Pipe Bedding Trenches – The size creates large voids for rapid water infiltration, minimising moisture freezing around pipes.
- Path Foundations & Hard Landscaping – Use as a load-spreading layer under block paving or as the finished surface for high-traffic garden paths.
- Concrete Aggregate – They add bulk and strength to concrete for garden walls, steps and retaining features.
- Erosion Control & Rockeries – Locks firmly on slopes to stabilise soil while giving a neat finish.
Inspirational Ideas
the foundations of any successful pavingBy Ben Parrot – Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist Overview Whether for a public pavement or DIY
Ben Parrot
OUR “PEOPLE ALSO ASK ABOUT” SERIESBy Ben Parrot – Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist Overview In this edition of “People Also Ask
Ben Parrot
calculations and comparisonsBy Ben Parrot – Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist Overview Creating a gravel driveway is an accessible and popular option
Ben Parrot
DIY Guides
DIY estimator for sub-base ConstructionBy Ben Parrot – Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist Overview A sub-base is an essential part of many
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DIY Guide for Driveway ConstructionBy Ben Parrot – Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist Key TakeawaysWhy choose to install a gravel driveway? What
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Overview This article provides an in-depth look at limestone chippings for soakaway systems, covering their key features and benefits. From efficient
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Maintenance
Staying on top of it is simple—always lay a heavy duty membrane first to stop weeds emerging, then rake lightly every few months to redistribute after rain or use. For deep cleaning, particularly where algae discolours the chippings, check our guide on how to clean chippings for step-by-step tips.
Purchasing Tips
If using as a topper, quarry batches can vary slightly in the different shades, so it’s best to be prepared for some natural variation. Try to get what you need in the one load. Measure your area in square metres, aim for 5-7cm depth on paths or 10cm for driveways, and factor in 10% extra for settling.
FAQs
Are 20mm limestone chippings suitable for sub-base layers?
Yes, 20mm limestone chippings are an excellent choice for sub-bases and foundations in landscaping construction because their angular shape compacts into a dense, load-bearing layer with outstanding drainage.
Can crushed limestone be used in concrete mixes?
Yes, 20mm crushed limestone works well as a coarse aggregate in concrete for garden structures, adding both strength and a lighter colour to the finished mix.
How do 20mm limestone chippings perform in soakaways and drainage systems?
The 20mm size is perfect for soakaways and trench drains – the large voids allow rapid water infiltration and filtration while preventing soil migration when wrapped in geotextile. However, some experts correctly say that they degrade over time. Because of this, it will eventually lead to clogging and failure because they deteriorate and pack down like a sub base, although it will take a very long time (more than 10 years).
What depth should I use for 20mm limestone chippings in driveways?
For driveway construction use 100-150mm compacted depth over a Type 1 sub base; for lighter decorative surfaces 50-70mm is sufficient.
Are limestone chippings alkaline and will they affect nearby plants?
Yes, limestone chippings are naturally alkaline and can slowly raise soil pH, so they suit lime-loving plants but should be kept away from acid-loving species such as camellias or blueberries.
How long do 20mm limestone chippings last in various applications?
When properly laid and compacted, 20mm limestone chippings will last decades with virtually no maintenance beyond occasional topping up in high-wear traffic surface areas.
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