Roadbase Definition A.K.A. Road Base, Base Rock

No wasting time... we’re going to walk you through the many terms that can confuse gravel driveway owners. Here we go!

If you’re hearing different terms being tossed around for gravel driveways and roads and it’s getting confusing just think about it this way. There are really only two types of gravel - those that include fine particles, and those that do not.

​We call them ‘fines’, and that’s an important distinction!

---

Rock with fines is what you want to build or repair a road with.
​Rock without fines should be used as a decorative top coat, or in landscape and drainage areas.

---

This is a limestone flex base that has been graded and compacted.

Flex Base Gravel is a generic term for a gravel with fines. Here in Texas it could be made from limestone, crushed concrete, or granite, but includes these ‘fines’. It is generally a whitish grey color and a small particulate.

​The reason this gets confusing is because people also call it road base, or base rock. These terms all refer to the same thing, rock with fine particles included.

Again... any reference to base, road base, base rock, flex base are all referring to a gravel with fine particles included!

There are various rock types, size, and material compositions depending on the intended use, but these terms are often interchangeable, and more generic.

This is a native clean rock added as a topcoat.

If you hear the term ‘clean’ or ‘washed’, you can expect a rock delivery that does not include fine particles. The rock is loose. There are many types, colors, and sizes.

​Clean gravel is not going to have the same ability to be compacted, so generally it is used as a decorative top layer, or for drainage and landscape projects.

---

Gravel deliveries can be made by semi trailer for larger jobs, tandem dump trucks, or smaller trucks for tight spaces.

Let us know if we can look into something for you if you’re in North Texas. We mostly do work in Aubrey, Gunter, Celina, Weston, Pilot Point, McKinney, Allen, Fairview, Wylie, Krum, Pottsboro, Denison, Princeton, and Sherman just to name a few.

We can dump in a pile, ‘tailgate’ the loads out (in most cases), or have an entire paving crew properly prep, grade, and compact the road or driveway if you want a professional installation in the North Texas area.

To summarize: Regardless of if we do the work or not, or if you are out or the area, you should be concerned first with if the rock has fines or not.

​From there, the material, size, and color should be asked about. Finally, find out what type of truck you can expect, and how it will be dumped.

OK! Let us know if we can point you in the right direction or solve any paving issues for ya!

North Texas Gravel Delivery Estimate