#57 Stone: Where to Buy & What It Is

What Is #57 Stone?

#57 stone is a crushed stone that is popular for both residential and commercial building projects. Its name “#57” comes from the specific filter used to obtain the stone as it is sorted for manufacturing. #57 stone is angular, jagged and is an ideal base material. 

How Is #57 Stone Sized?

#57 stones are approximately the same size as nickels and quarters. The exact stone size can range anywhere from 3/8 of an inch to 1 inch. However, the way that the sorting mechanisms are set up can impact the size of the stones retrieved. This means that some pieces may be smaller than ⅜ and some pieces may be larger than 1 inch. 

Common Uses for #57 Stone

#57 is a popular stone that has many practical uses. Popular uses of this stone include driveways, parking areas, drainage systems, patios, and walkways. 

Driveways and parking areas

#57 stone is great for driveways and parking areas due to its compaction, stability, and drainage capabilities. This stone can be used either as a top layer or as a base layer for these areas.

Drainage and French drains

#57 stone is ideal for drainage systems, particularly in French drains, as its permeability allows water to pass through easily. This stone is also very stable, which reduces erosion and allows for the support of retention walls. 

Base material for patios and walkways

#57 stone is a premier choice for patios and walkways as it offers great stability and load-bearing support. #57 stone prevents sinking and is commonly used for paver foundations. 

Why Does #57 Stone Work So Well for Drainage?

#57 stone works so well for drainage because the angular shape of the stone allows it to interlock well with other stones and create stability, while still maintaining a large enough gap to allow water to filter through. #57 stone also resists settling and compaction better than rounded stones. 

#57 Stone vs Other Popular Crushed Stone Sizes

#67 stone is slightly smaller (often ¾ inch or less) and is ideal for concrete bases, fill, and road bases. #57 stone is larger (⅜ inch - 1 inch) and is better for projects where effective drainage is important. 

3/4" stone

3/4" stone and #57 stone are very similarly sized and offer similar benefits. #57 is the industry standard stone for projects that require stones between ⅜-1 inch. If #57 stone is not available, ¾ inch stone is a good alternative. 

Stone dust

#57 stone is a larger stone (⅜ inch - 1 inch) used for drainage, driveways, walkways, concrete, and more. Stone dust is a fine, powdery material used for landscaping, hardscaping, and construction. Both can be used as base material due to their firm, compact nature. 

When Is #57 Stone Not the Best Choice?

While #57 stone is a versatile and popular stone, it is not the best choice for projects that require a smooth surface or where the end product needs to be highly load bearing. Because the stones are angular and do not lock together tightly, they create a rougher surface that is prone to shifting.  

How Much #57 Stone You Need for Your Project:

Project Calculation Steps: 

1. Measure Area: Length (ft) x Width (ft) = Square Feet.
2. Determine Depth In Inches (e.g., 2, 4, 6).
3. Calculate Volume: (Square Feet x Depth in feet) / 27 = Cubic Yards.
4. Calculate Tons: Cubic Yards x 1.2 = Tons required. 

Installation Tips for #57 Stone

For an effective #57 stone installation, first excavate 4–6 inches deep. Next, install landscaping fabric to prevent weed growth and use solid edging to prevent lateral movement. Then, compact the subgrade before adding stone. Install the #57 stone in 3–4 inch layers and use a vibrating plate compactor to lock the stones into place

Choosing the Right Stone for Your Project at Landscape Barn

At Landscape Barn, we pride ourselves on providing top-quality materials. We have an extensive selection of stone products, and our team is happy to help you find exactly what you need. Contact us today to learn more about our products and tell us about your exciting upcoming projects!