Why Choose Slate Aggregates for Landscaping Projects
When you’re planning a landscaping project, the materials you choose matter a lot – not just for how things look, but also for how long they last.
Some materials need replacing regularly, some fade, and others don’t do well with the UK weather. That’s why slate aggregates could be an ideal choice, offering a good balance of looks and performance.
Slate aggregate is also very easy to manage. Lay it down once, and it will stay in place for years to come with minimal maintenance. What’s more, it can help with drainage in places like gardens and other outdoor spaces.
In this article, we’ll be discussing 4 reasons slate aggregates stand out from other materials and may be the right choice for your landscaping project.
1. Natural Aesthetic Appeal
Slate aggregates provide your landscape with an aesthetic appeal that’s hard to match with most other aggregates. With natural, unprocessed colours, slate gives gardens or pathways a softer, more blended look.
Slate doesn’t reflect too much light either, so it doesn’t look overly shiny or out of place. This means they work well in gardens with plants, wood, or other natural stone, blending with those surroundings.
The shape of slate aggregates is flat and angular, making it sit compactly and neatly, meaning you don’t get the uneven surface you sometimes get with other types of outdoor stones. Slate’s texture also relatively soft, making it ideal for spaces where people walk through often.
Additionally, slate aggregates age well. A slight patina builds up over time, but it suits the finish and adds more character to your landscape. If you want a clean and natural look, slate aggregates are a great option.
2. Durability
When it comes to hard-wearing surfaces, stones for pathways need to be tough. They’re expected to deal with constant foot traffic, changing weather, and heavy use, and slate tolerates these demands well.
It’s highly resistant to weathering and wear, making it ideal for various outdoor spaces. When used as an aggregate, it will stand the test of time. You can walk on it, place things on it, or drive over it without it wearing down quickly or chipping easily.
Once laid, slate also, mostly, stays put. It doesn’t loosen up despite heavy traffic, and because it doesn’t absorb much water, it’s less likely to freeze and crack. This makes it a particularly popular aggregate option in the UK.
3. Environmentally-Friendly
People care more about eco-friendly choices now than ever before. Slate aggregates are one of the better aggregate options in this respect.
Increasingly, slate aggregate comes from leftovers from roofing or building. Instead of dumping it, manufacturers crush it and make it suitable for reuse. This means less waste ends up in landfills.
There’s also very little processing involved in creating slate aggregates, with no need for harsh chemicals, coatings, or dye. This reduces energy consumption during production, lowering the overall impact on the environment.
Highly durable, slate aggregates don’t need to be replaced or maintained often. That means you won’t need to buy more aggregate every year, so you’re doing your bit to reduce packaging, fuel, and transport emissions.
And finally, slate doesn’t leach into the soil, making it safe for gardens. Plants and water features won’t be affected. Overall, slate aggregates are a sustainable choice that offers very similar benefits to other stone aggregates.
4. Versatility
One of the best things about slate aggregates is that they’ll rarely ever go to waste. This is because they’re versatile enough to be used across various projects, where they’ll blend right in while offering durability.
Building driveways, filling borders for flower beds to keep weeds down, or draining bases under outdoor structures are all common use cases for slate aggregates.
They’re also great as stones for pathways. Their shape helps them sit close, making them sturdy enough to endure heavy foot and vehicle traffic.
Finally, slate mixes well with other materials. You can use it alongside paving slabs or next to timber or brick. It’ll keep the whole design cohesive while adding a rustic charm to the project.
Contact Middleton Aggregates for High-Quality Slate Aggregate
Slate aggregates offer a rare mix of beauty, durability, and sustainability. Now that you understand their multiple benefits, you may be looking for a reliable supplier to provide you with high-quality slate or other materials for your next landscaping project.
At Middleton Aggregates, we supply a wide range of durable aggregates and fill materials for various construction and landscaping projects. We also offer a plant hire service to meet all your construction needs.
Operating from Blackborough End, King’s Lynn, we serve Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and the wider UK. Our team of industry experts is on hand to provide you with the best advice and answer your questions.
For more information on our products and services, visit our website or contact us to find out more.
