Quarry Stone Types and Uses

Quarry stone or aggregate is available in a range of sizes, shapes and stone types and has a variety of applications within the construction industry and DIY market.

FP McCann offers two main types of natural stone, Crusher Run and Clean Stone/Drainage Stone. Available sub-types are aggregates, building stone, gabion stone and rock boulders.

What is Crusher Run Stone?

Crusher run stone, also known as hardcore or crusher run hardcore, is a mix of coarse natural stone graded in size from larger pieces of crushed rock or gravel down to stone dust. This type of quarry stone is easy to compact as the smaller dust particles fill the voids between the larger more angular rocks, creating a firm base material that can be used to fill up levels in foundations for laneways or industrial flooring in preparation for concrete being applied.

What is Clean Stone or Drainage Stone?

Clean stone also referred to as drainage stone is made up of coarse aggregate that is all of a similar size, with no fine material through it. Its main use is in drainage as water will run through it or as building stone. Unlike crusher run, clean stone is not good for compaction as there are no smaller dust particles to fill the gaps between the larger stone.

Quarry Stone Types and Uses

What are the different types of Crusher Run Stone?

Crusher run quarry stone comes in various sizes and types. The size references the largest aggregates in the mix, and will also contain particles right down to dust. The sizes available from FP McCann’s quarries in Northern Ireland are: 1.5″ (40mm), 2″ (50mm), 2.5″ (65mm), 4″ (100mm), 6″ (150mm). There are also other types of crusher stone available for specific requirements:

Blinding

Coarse, dense, smaller particles of stone and dust used on top of larger hardcore material to make up levels prior to concrete, asphalt or paving being laid on top. This is 1” (25mm) stone down to dust.

Road Specification Crusher Run

This is a type of crusher run that meets specific requirements for use in highways and roadways as a base material.

  • Type 1: Typically sized from 31.5mm down to dust. Meets the SHW (Specification for Highway Works) Clause 803.
  • Type 3: Sized from 40mm down to dust. Meets the SHW Clause 805.

6F2

This is a rougher/more course 4”-5” (100-125mm) crusher run stone. Uses include building up sub-bases, hard-standings or car parks, roads, etc.

Recycled Fill

Cheap, fill material that is made from construction and demolition waste materials such as blocks, concrete, asphalt and hardcore. It is available crushed (from 3”/75mm down to dust) or uncrushed (up to 12”/300mm down to dust).

What are the different types of Clean Stone or Drainage Stone?

Clean stone is also available in various shapes and sizes, and it can be utilised in a number of applications. The size refers to the whole product when talking about clean stone, for example 1.5″ clean stone will be comprised of a number of stones that are all of an approximate 1.5″ size. Sizes available from FP McCann’s NI quarries include: 1.5″ (40mm), 2″ (50mm), 2.5″ (65mm), 4″ (100mm), 6″ (150mm) and 8-10″ (200-250mm). As with crusher run, there are a number of specific products within the drainage stone range:

Gabion Stone

The 8-10” (200-250mm) natural stone is also used to fill gabion baskets, which are used in soil erosion control, retaining walls and as a decorative walling feature in commercial and domestic properties

Pipe Bedding

This is smaller chip quarry stone in 6, 10, 14, 20mm sizes, it is similar to clean stone but slightly lower quality and is used as a base for laying pipes on. The stones used will be more rounded, preventing any punctures to the pipes and allowing water to drain through them easily. This type of natural stone may also be referred to as pea gravel.

Smaller Clean Stone

6, 10, 14 and 20mm clean stone chips can be used to make black top/asphalt, precast concrete or for finishing lanes and yards. These smaller stones can also be seen in pebble dash or slap dash render on walls and buildings.

Building Stone

Building stone is typically 10-12” (250-300mm) in size and has a multitude of applications, such as the construction of external walls, fireplaces, garden features, etc. It can be guillotined to size or hand-picked. FP McCann supply two types of building stone: Causeway Stone (basalt) from its Loughside Quarry and Bradley’s Quarry, and Ennis Stone (limestone) from Clarke’s Quarry in Lisnaskea. Other forms include granite, marble, sandstone and slate.

Rock Boulders & Rock Armour

Rock boulders are the largest form of clean rock supplied by FP McCann quarries. These boulders range in size from 300mm – 2m and can be used for bridge construction or as rock armour. Use of rock armour, also known as rip rap, rubble or shot rock, is seen in seaside or riverside embankments for the control of water erosion.

fp-mccann-crusher-run
Crusher Run
fp-mccann-drainage-stone
Drainage Stone
fp-mccann-blinding
Blinding
fp-mccann-recycled-fill
Recycled Fill

FAQs

Q: Where can I buy aggregates or quarry stone in Northern Ireland?

A: Aggregates and quarry stone / natural stone ranging in size from 3mm dust up to 2m boulders can be purchased from FP McCann’s quarries throughout Northern Ireland. For a list of specific products available at each location, visit here.

Q: How is stone delivered to site?

A: Stone can be delivered in loose bulk. Collection can also be arranged from FP McCann’s quarries throughout Northern Ireland.

Q: Do you supply stone for smaller jobs and DIY projects?

A: Yes – FP McCann supply aggregates and other quarry products and materials to both the domestic and commercial markets; from a self-build house project right up to farms, sports grounds, and large commercial developments.

Stone Offered by FP McCann

  • Aggregates
  • Building Stone
  • Gabion Stone
  • Rock Boulders

If you would like any further information on our quarry products, email sales@fpmccann.co.uk, find out more on our website or request a quote.