The Landscape Expert (1)

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How Decomposed Granite Work?
Your outdoor space gives the first impression
regarding your personality and taste. How well
you set up the path and driveways surrounding
your home or garden will greatly affect the
aesthetic appeal and property value. To most
people, gravel and concrete are the standard
materials when paving their walkways and
driveways runs. But in this article, we will
discuss a growing trend that serves the same
purpose at a cheaper rate and adds aesthetic
value - Decomposed Granite. Decomposed granite
or DG requires no prior knowledge to install, and
most DIY fanatics find it fun to use it. Still,
we recommend having a professional install it so
you do not run into issues and have it properly
installed. This material is fully permeable, and
if well stabilized, it is able to withstand
erosion. Read on to get better insights from The
Landscape Expert on this latest trend Drought
Tolerant Foliage. What is Decomposed
granite? Edible Garden Decomposed granite is a
finer, yet firmer version of gravel. As the name
suggests, DG is one of the natural granite
derivatives. Immediately after the granite
erodes, and weathers, it slowly starts to flake
and crumble away from the parent source to form
the Decomposed granite. After a successful
decomposition, landscapers then grind the final
product to meet their preferred sizes. The final
product varies in color from brown to buff with
several other shades of red, green, black or
gray, making it the perfect blend for most
exteriors.
Uses of the Decomposed Granite (DG)

• Pathways DG is commonly used on pathways in both
  commercial and residential places. The DG
• brings a more rustic and natural feel that blends
  perfectly with all exteriors. Its highly
• permeable and hence, users dont have to worry
  about flooding or runoffs in their homesteads
• Patio Compared to other materials, the DG gives
  the patio a stable and harder surface. The
  project takes very minimal time and is cheaper
  than other hardscape materials like pavers and
  concrete. A stabilized DG is the most common type
  for this purpose, but the resin is also an
  option for people seeking durability
• Artificial turf base Artificial turf bases
  require a good base material to serve its purpose
  right. Decomposed granite, in this case, is the
  best bet, thanks to its gravel structure that
  easily breaks down and conforms to the ground.
  In addition, the DG is very easy to install and
  requires little labor and finances
• Garden bed If you need an eco-friendly and low
  maintenance garden, the decomposed granite works
  magic. The natural DG is chemical free, reducing
  any harm on the plants. Its permeable

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nature eases water penetration to the ground,
hence, curbing floods. Owing to its multiple
color collection, you can select the color that
will perfectly complement the exteriors of the
house involving the project. Apart from
landscaping, decomposed granites are also used
for several other purposes like sports surfaces,
mulching purposes and on driveways of
hotels. Types of Decomposed Granites Three forms
of Decomposed Granites are common among
landscapers. They include loose DG, Stabilized
DG, and DG with resin. Loose DG This is the
cheapest type of DG. It is the basic form of
Decomposed Granite with no additives. It is
mostly used for landscape mulching, patios,
playgrounds or garden paths, and provides perfect
drainage. However, compared to other forms,
loose DG is the most unstable and is easily
eroded. For this reason, you are advised not to
use it around your houses, especially if you
have wooden flooring because it may damage the
floor. Additionally, during heavy rains, loose DG
pathways are always mushy and muddy. Stabilized
DG Stabilized DG is a compound of Decomposed
granite and a stabilizer. The DG is more
expensive than the loose DG, but its still an
affordable option. When laid, the stabilized DG
resembles the loose DG, but on the peripheral, it
is firmer and less affinitive to erosion. This,
in turn, increases its life span, hence,
reducing the maintenance cost. The DG is common
in homes, where there is limited movement. The
stabilized DG is less muddy during heavy rains
compared to loose DG. You can order the loose DG
and stabilize it on your own, or better still,
buy the already stabilized DG that is cheaper
and less laborious. DG with resin This is the
best type of decomposed granite, and also the
most expensive. When the resin is added to the
DG, the surface created resembles an asphalt
surface and is popularly called the poly
pavement. The resin DG is the strongest and most
durable, making it a perfect match for driveways
or high capacity paths. It doesnt look as
authentic as the stabilized or loose DG, but you
can be sure of its durability. Its firm nature
completely curbs erosion and tracking, hence
reducing its maintenance fee. However, its
drainage is downright poor compared to loose and
stabilized DG. How to Stabilize the DG There are
very cheap options to stabilize your decomposed
granites. You can choose to either use a
stabilizer solution that is readily available on
all landscaping stores or online shops or use
organic-lock which is one of the natural binders.
More to giving your DG a durable touch, the
stabilizer comes as a perfect alternative to
asphalt, concrete that look less natural, and
still impermeable.