Crushed Concrete: What Is it and Is it Best for Your Driveway?
Give concrete a second act by lining your driveway with its gravel-like form
Highlights
Crushed concrete is made up of broken pieces of old concrete.
The aggregate lines driveways, walkways, gardens, and drainage areas.
Using crushed concrete keeps waste out of landfills.
The material is both permeable and budget-friendly for low-cost driveways.
While it may be tempting to focus on the asphalt versus concrete debate when paving your driveway, don't ignore the perks of crushed concrete. The eco-, budget-, and user-friendly filler can work throughout your landscape, though it truly shines in the driveway. Let's dive into why a crushed concrete driveway is a plausible choice for your next project.
What is Crushed Concrete?
Crushed concrete is the ground-up pieces of old slabs of concrete. Also commonly called recycled concrete aggregate, you'll find crushed concrete in various sizes and applications.
In a nutshell, when a construction team removes concrete from an area, they send it to a processing facility for processing and reuse. Crushed concrete saves construction waste from heading to the landfill and offers a cost-effective alternative to natural stone gravel.
Homeowners and builders use crushed concrete in:
Driveways
Gardens
Walkways
Under permeable pavers
Drainage areas
How to Use Crushed Concrete in Your Driveway
You have your pick of driveway materials, though concrete pavement tops the list for its durability and cost. Even among the most popular types of concrete, crushed concrete combines the benefits of concrete's accessibility with gravel's rustic look.
Using an aggregate material means that you have more flexibility in driveway design. Pour crushed concrete into a standard 20-foot by 20-foot driveway in front of your home or use it to line a steep incline driveway that weaves through the woods up to your home.
Crushed concrete can also be used in tandem with environmentally friendly permeable pavers, porous asphalt, or with a driveway grid that offers extra strength for your vehicle. In this application, line the base of your driveway with several inches of crushed concrete to act as a permeable barrier that filters water and air into the earth.
Pros of Crushed Concrete Driveways
The perks of crushed concrete primarily come down to its simplicity. It’s easy to manufacture, easy to install, and easy to top up if you need another layer.
Versatility
Use crushed concrete across a large area of your landscape, especially if you're not ready to lay down something more permanent. You can use the material everywhere, from the area around your garden to your driveway, offering a streamlined look across your property.
Cost
As we mentioned above, crushed concrete costs far less. And when it comes time to patch or replace your driveway, it will cost less to remove it for a new one.
Eco-Friendliness
Purchasing crushed concrete keeps pre-used construction materials out of the landfill, so you can feel good about giving it a second life.
Ease of Installation
Unlike installing a concrete or asphalt driveway, this is an installation you can handle yourself. If you decide to call a local concrete driveway professional, the process will only take a few hours since you won’t need to wait for a poured material to set.
Permeability
If you have drainage issues on your property, installing a permeable driveway can save you from erosion, stormwater runoff, and damage from rock salt. Crushed concrete is an excellent option to design a permeable driveway, either with pavers, a grid to hold the concrete in place, or on its own.
Cons of Crushed Concrete Driveways
While crushed concrete has a lot of benefits for driveways, it does have its headaches and is not right for every situation.
Durability
Most importantly, crushed concrete is not held in place. Driving and walking over the surface will likely move rocks out of place, meaning that you will frequently need to keep your driveway tidy. If you're looking for the textured look of crushed concrete but need more stability, you can also consider exposed aggregate concrete.
Appearance
You won't get that streamlined, modern look with crushed concrete, so keep this in mind if you're trying to increase your curb appeal. Some homeowners love the rustic appearance of the loose rock—especially in the beach or suburban areas—but it may not hold its form to offer that sleek aesthetic compared to asphalt or pavers.
Compaction
As you drive and walk over your crushed concrete, it will compact into itself and eventually sink several inches into the ground. You will need to top up your driveway, especially in the areas where your tires press into the ground.
Dust
Crushed concrete has an unfortunate reputation for kicking up dust when agitated. If you are sensitive to dust or have a high-traffic driveway, crushed concrete may not be for you.
The Cost of Crushed Concrete Driveways
Gravel costs $1 to $2 per square foot, while crushed concrete can run as low as $0.60 for the same. For a 400-square-foot driveway, you could pay as little as $240 for materials. Compare this to the average cost of installing a concrete slab—$6 per square foot.
One of the top perks of crushed concrete driveways is the low cost—both for materials and installation. Gravel and similar materials are always less expensive than the most popular driveway paving methods.
While delivery for gravel runs about $30 an hour, you can easily spread the crushed concrete yourself after it's dropped off, avoiding any additional labor costs.
Alternatives to Crushed Concrete
If you decide that crushed concrete doesn’t make sense for your driveway and situation, don’t fret. There are a number of alternatives you can consider, including:
Asphalt: Asphalt can be found in many driveways across the U.S. It’s about half the price of concrete to install. With proper upkeep, which includes resealing every few years, it will last 15 to 30 years.
Gravel: For a cost-effective alternative to crushed concrete, consider gravel. Gravel comes in a variety of forms, such as crushed stone, marble chips, and pea gravel. It’s easy to install and maintain and often lasts for decades as long as it’s well-maintained.
Brick: Brick can give your driveway a sophisticated look. However, it’s very expensive and requires extensive maintenance. Most brick driveways last up to 25 years.
Cobblestone: Cobblestone offers a unique aesthetic appeal and can be installed in your pattern of choice. The downside, however, is that it can be difficult to maintain weed growth. Cobblestone pavers can last for centuries.
Composite: Durable and weather-resistant, composite pavers are lightweight and easy to install. They’re made from recycled materials and are available in a number of colors. They can also be laid in different patterns to create a unique look. In most cases, composite pavers have a life span of up to 25 years.
Natural Pavers: Natural pavers can be made from various materials, such as flagstone, sandstone, or granite. Depending on the material you choose and how you maintain it, natural pavers can last up to 100 years.
Is Crushed Concrete Right for You?
A crushed concrete driveway is a solid choice for many homeowners. Consider these factors to determine if it’s the right for you:
Appearance: If you appreciate a rustic look, crushed concrete may be ideal. However, if you prefer a cleaner, more refined appearance, pavers or asphalt may better meet your needs.
Budget: Determine how much you want to spend on your driveway. Fortunately, crushed concrete is more affordable than brick, for example. You can find crushed concrete for as low as $0.60 per square foot.
Installation: If you’d like a DIY installation process, crushed concrete may be your best bet. It’s far easier to install it than asphalt, which may warrant the need to hire a concrete professional.
Sustainability: Crushed concrete might be worthwhile if you’re looking for an eco-friendly driveway solution. It uses recycled construction materials and is good for the environment.
Durability: For a highly durable driveway material, you should consider an alternative like composite. Crushed concrete is less durable as driving or walking over will move the rocks and require maintenance.
Allergies: Since crushed concrete is known to cause dust when it’s moved, it might not be a good choice if you or your family members and/or guests are allergic to or sensitive to dust.
Ginny Bartolone contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's very easy to mix cement and concrete. Crushed-up concrete, however, is called recycled concrete aggregate—or, more commonly, just crushed concrete. Cement is a binding agent used in concrete and is often used interchangeably with it in error.
Homeowners often use crushed concrete and asphalt for the same reasons. They are both eco-conscious since they save used materials from landfills and cost about $1 to $2 per square foot. Since they have different appearances, the choice often comes down to personal preference.
Crushed concrete looks similar to gravel, but it’s made up of broken-up pieces of concrete instead of natural stone. Gravel typically refers to limestone, pea gravel, rock pebbles, or crushed shells.