#10 Rock Screenings (Stone Dust): Smooth Finish and Tight Compaction

#10 screenings, also called stone dust or rock fines, consist of crushed rock particles that pass a 3⁄16 inch screen and taper down to true dust. Because every chip is sharply angular and extremely small, the particles seat together almost like sand yet lock in place under light tamping, creating a dense, low‑void layer that resists shifting and erosion. This ultra‑fine gradation lets the material flow easily into tiny cavities, level uneven surfaces, and harden into a firm, monolithic crust once compacted and moistened. Contractors prize stone dust for its ability to form a rock‑hard surface over gravel bases, fill paver joints so weeds can’t sprout, and bind aggregates on walking paths for a polished, professional look.

Material Calculator

Precise quantity estimates are critical with fines because under‑ordering leads to visible dips and over‑ordering leaves unattractive piles that can clump before reuse. Our calculator converts project length, width, and planned depth often as thin as half an inch into cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons using real‑world bulk density values. That information lets you schedule the correct truck capacity, time deliveries to match crew availability, and avoid extra handling or cleanup costs. For large paver patios and sports courts, the calculator’s accuracy translates directly into smoother compaction cycles and more even final grades.

Enhance and Maintain Your Projects

Stone dust excels at upgrading gravel driveways, repairing ruts in pathways, and finishing off any aggregate surface that has begun to loosen or washboard. When broadcast over coarse sub‑base and lightly sprayed, the fine particles permeate surface voids, knit the top layer together, and form a stable cap that resists displacement under foot or wheel loads. The material also reduces mud during rainy spells because its dense matrix sheds water laterally while the fines redirect runoff to adjacent drainage swales. In frost‑prone climates, a thin stone dust layer minimizes heaving by limiting moisture infiltration without sacrificing breathability, ensuring your hardscapes stay level season after season.

Why Choose #10 Rock Screenings

Cost Efficiency

Screenings cost just a fraction of poured concrete or asphalt and are even cheaper than larger decorative gravels used as surface layers. They require minimal heavy equipment. Often only hand tools, a plate compactor, and a garden hose for misting which reduces machine rental and operator fees. Over expansive sites like multi‑use trails or institutional courtyards, those savings allow budget reallocation toward lighting, landscaping, or additional outdoor amenities.

Superior Compaction

Because the particles are so small and angular, they interlock under vibration to create a near‑solid mass that rivals soil‑cement mixtures. This tight compaction makes an ideal bedding for pavers, flagstones, or stepping stones, preventing rocking and maintaining joint alignment even under concentrated loads like patio furniture legs. When used atop gravel bases, screenings seal the surface, locking coarse rock in place and eliminating loose stones that can scatter into lawns or clog storm drains.

Low Maintenance

A well‑compacted stone‑dust surface needs little more than occasional sweeping or light raking to redistribute displaced material. The material does not decay, absorb odors, or harbor pests, and its fine texture discourages weed germination. Should minor low spots appear after winter freeze expansion, simply top‑dress with a fresh layer of screenings, mist, and compact. No specialized repair compounds or sealants required.

Adaptability

Stone dust flows into narrow joints, curved retaining‑wall gaps, and the tightest corners where bulkier gravel grades cannot fit, making it perfect for intricate hardscape designs. It also blends easily with Portland cement or polymer additives to create custom stabilizers, giving installers wide latitude to tailor strength and permeability to specific project needs such as garden pathways versus light‑vehicle access lanes.

Smooth, Polished Finish

Once tamped and slightly moistened, #10 screenings form a uniform, matte surface that looks refined and feels comfortable underfoot. Unlike loose gravel that can roll or crunch, the dust‑bound layer stays quiet and flat, enhancing accessibility for strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles. Its muted gray‑to‑buff palette pairs naturally with brick, timber, or decorative stone, elevating the visual quality of any landscape.

Common Applications

Paver Joints and Bedding

A thin bedding layer of screenings levels minor base irregularities and cushions pavers, while swept‑in dust fills joints tightly so ants, weeds, and debris cannot intrude. The resulting interlock maintains surface integrity through freeze‑thaw cycles and heavy foot traffic, reducing routine maintenance compared with sand‑only joint fills.

Pathways and Playgrounds

On walking trails, garden paths, and play areas, stone dust compacts into a firm yet slightly forgiving surface that stays cooler than asphalt and quieter than loose gravel. It provides excellent traction, minimizes trip hazards, and drains quickly, ensuring year‑round usability for joggers, schoolchildren, and park visitors alike.

Base and Sub‑base Stabilizer

When blended with larger aggregates, screenings fill voids within the base course, increasing bearing capacity and preventing settlement under slabs, synthetic turf fields, or modular sports flooring. The dense matrix acts like natural mortar, distributing loads more evenly and extending the lifespan of the overlying surface.

Mortar and Concrete Mix Ingredient

Fine rock dust improves the gradation curve in concrete mixes, boosting strength and reducing permeability by filling micro‑voids between sand grains. In masonry mortar, it can partially replace natural sand, adding angularity that enhances mechanical bond with brick and block units while maintaining workable consistency.

Erosion Control and Backfill

In slope stabilization and retaining‑wall backfill, screenings consolidate readily, forming a self‑supporting mass that limits washout during storms. Their fine texture also prevents wash‑through at the face of gabion baskets or behind rip‑rap revetments, helping anchor larger stones and protecting underlying soils from scour.

Premium, Locally Sourced Aggregate

All screenings originate from nearby quarries where parent rock is crushed, washed, and graded on modern screens to ensure a consistent, dust‑free product. Local sourcing shrinks transportation distances, lowering environmental impact and giving contractors flexible delivery scheduling for phased projects. Each load undergoes size‑distribution checks to maintain uniform compaction behavior across batches.

Natural Variations

Mineral makeup influences color, producing light grays from limestone, deeper charcoals from basalt, and warm tans from sandstone. These subtle tones integrate seamlessly with surrounding soils, plants, and hardscape materials, lending an organic aesthetic that avoids the monotony of synthetic surfacing. Color differences have no effect on strength or drainage, so every shipment guarantees reliable performance while adding a touch of natural character.