Decomposed Granite - Part I: What is Decomposed Granite?
Seasonal, TIPS & TRICKSIf you have a remodel or garden design project under way in the Los Angeles area, you may have been researching options for your home that are drought tolerant, cost effective, and require little to no maintenance. The ideal hardscape material that checks all of those boxes: decomposed granite, or as it's commonly called, DG.
DG is extremely versatile and has a wide range of design uses. It can be compacted to create a natural, aesthetically-pleasing surface while still remaining permeable and firm. Stabilizing additives can be included to enhance its helpful qualities and uses. With a wide variety of decomposed granite colors, you can give a beautiful and unique look to the environment of your home. But what exactly is it?
Granite is the most common igneous rock, known to be the toughest and hardest, and formed through the solidifying of lava or magma. As it erodes and endures weathering over time, granite crumbles away from its source into various sizes of particles and can be further crushed to specific sizes for a variety of project needs. Decomposed granite is the natural derivative of granite, and is made up of micas (silicate minerals,) feldspar (a rock-forming mineral, and the most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust,) and quartz (the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust).
Similar to gravel, DG is finer and more stable. It is derived from the erosion and weathering of solid granite due to wind, rain and temperature inconsistencies over time. Completely natural DG is free of harmful chemicals and additives. The DG typically sold as landscaping material is composed of fine, one-quarter-inch to three-eighths-inch-sized particles; some may be even smaller, no bigger than a speck of sand.Despite the labeled state of being decomposed, DG is considered a strong granite. With it being a byproduct of natural granite rock, DG is more durable and harder than other aggregates of crushed stones such as marble and limestone.
So that's what it is! But how can you use it? Stay tuned for Decomposed Granite Part Two: Drought-Tolerant Landscape Uses for DG.
You can also follow our Decomposed Granite Inspo Board on Pinterest or call us for a complimentary consultation for all possible uses of DG in your landscape!
