Three-Eighths Bluestone (⅜″) in Wrentham, MA

Three-eighths bluestone, written ⅜″ bluestone, is the fine, finishing stone of the yard. The small pieces spread and level easily, so it is a favorite under pavers and on walkways. Also, it still drains well, which keeps paths from turning to mud.

What is three-eighths bluestone?

It is crushed stone screened to about three-eighths of an inch. Because the pieces are small and angular, they pack into a smooth, firm surface. At the same time, water still finds its way through the gaps.

The blue-gray color matches larger bluestone, so the two work together on the same project. For example, you might use ¾″ stone for a driveway base and three-eighths bluestone on the walkway beside it.

You will also hear it called ⅜ stone, pea stone (although true pea stone is rounded) or chip stone. In short, it is fine, angular crushed stone sold by the yard.

Common uses for three-eighths bluestone

Here is where the finer size really helps:

• Setting bed under pavers and patio stone
• Walkways and garden paths
• Pipe bedding in trenches
• Joint fill between flagstones
• Top dressing on a stone driveway
• Around downspouts and drip edges

How much three-eighths bluestone do I need?

First, measure the length and width of the area in feet and multiply them to get square feet. Then multiply by the depth in inches and divide by 324. The answer is cubic yards, which is how the yard sells three-eighths bluestone. Under pavers, three-eighths bluestone is used as a leveled bed about 1 inch thick. For a walkway surface, plan on about 2 inches.

For example, a 20 by 25 foot area is 500 square feet. At 1 inches deep, that works out to about 1.5 yards. In practice, we suggest rounding up by half a yard, because edges, low spots and settling always take a little extra. Still, if the math feels off, call (774) 372-1050 and we will work it out with you before the truck is loaded.

Delivery or pickup at the yard

There are two ways to get this material from us. First, we can deliver it. Our trucks drop residential and commercial loads across Wrentham, Norfolk, Franklin, Foxborough, Plainville, Medway and Bellingham. Tell us exactly where you want the pile, and the driver will place it as close to that spot as the ground safely allows.

Second, you can pick it up yourself. Bring a pickup truck, dump truck or trailer to 26 Industrial Rd in Wrentham during yard hours, and we will load you from the bays with the loader. As a rule of thumb, a full-size pickup carries about about 1 yard safely. So check your payload rating before you come, and bring a tarp for the ride home.

Getting ready for a delivery

1. Pick the spot. Choose a flat, open place close to where you will spread the material. A driveway apron or the edge of the lawn works well.
2. Check the clearance. Our trucks need room overhead and a firm surface. So look up for wires and branches, and keep the drop zone clear of cars.
3. Protect the surface. If the pile goes on pavement, lay down a tarp or plywood first. As a result, cleanup takes minutes instead of an afternoon.
4. Tell us about access. Mention gates, soft ground, septic covers or tight turns when you order. Then the driver can plan the approach before arriving.
5. Plan the spread. Finally, line up a wheelbarrow, rake and a helper. Most people spread a few yards in a morning.

How to use three-eighths bluestone under pavers

1. Build the base. Start with a compacted base of larger stone. Then check that it slopes slightly away from the house.
2. Set screed rails. Lay two pipes on the base as guides. Next, spread three-eighths bluestone between them.
3. Screed it flat. Pull a straight board across the rails to strike the stone to a smooth 1-inch bed.
4. Lay the pavers. Set pavers on top without walking on the screeded bed. Afterward, fill the pipe gaps with stone.
5. Compact and fill. Finally, run a plate compactor over the pavers and sweep fine material into the joints.

For simple garden paths, you can skip the pavers entirely. Instead, edge the path, lay fabric and spread 2 inches of three-eighths bluestone. It makes a clean, walkable path in an afternoon.

Three-eighths bluestone is also a smart choice around downspouts and along drip edges. Because the pieces are small, they sit neatly in a narrow bed without looking bulky. In addition, the fine stone is easy to rake level again after heavy rain splashes it around. For pipe bedding, contractors like it because it flows around the pipe and supports it evenly along the whole trench, which protects the joints over time. Finally, it is a tidy, low-cost way to finish the narrow strip between a driveway and a fence or wall.

Crushed stone, fines and compaction

Crushed stone behaves differently from rounded gravel. Because each piece has flat, broken faces, the stones wedge against one another when they are compacted. As a result, a crushed stone surface stays firm, while rounded stone tends to roll and shift.

Screened stone also has a consistent size. That matters for drainage, since uniform pieces leave open gaps for water. On the other hand, a surface that needs to pack very hard often gets a finer stone or a dense base on top. So tell us whether drainage or a hard surface matters more, and we will point you to the right size.

Stone weight and trucking

Stone is much heavier than mulch. A yard of crushed stone typically weighs well over a ton, depending on size and moisture. For that reason, pickup loads are smaller, and most driveway or drainage jobs are easier with delivery. Also, keep delivery trucks off septic fields, soft lawns and thin pavement.

Storing leftover material

Extra stone never goes bad. So many people keep a small pile behind the garage for patching ruts, filling washouts and topping up drip edges. That said, keep it off the lawn, because the weight flattens grass quickly. A few extra yards also come in handy after winter, when plows and melting snow shift stone around.

Contractor and commercial orders

Landscapers, builders, excavation crews and property managers buy from the yard every week. For that reason, we keep the loader running early, so contractor trucks can load and get to the job before the day heats up. In addition, we can stage repeat deliveries to a site when a project runs over several days.

If you manage condos, office parks or HOA grounds, ask about planning spring and fall deliveries in advance. That way, the material lands when your crew is ready, instead of sitting in a parking lot. Likewise, excavation contractors can combine stone, sand and loam on one schedule, which keeps a site moving.

What to tell us when you order

A quick call goes faster when you have a few details ready. That way, we can quote the load and book the truck in one conversation.

• First, the material and how many yards you need
• Next, the delivery address and town
• Also, where the pile should go and any tight access
• Then, the best day and a backup day for delivery
• Finally, a phone number the driver can call on the way

Why buy three-eighths bluestone from Ten Four Landscape Supply

Ten Four Landscape Supply is a local bulk-materials yard owned by Seth Dias. In other words, you are buying from the same people who load the truck, not from a call center. We sell every material by the yard, so you pay for what you need rather than for bags and plastic.

• Sold by the yard, loaded or delivered from 26 Industrial Rd, Wrentham
• Residential and commercial orders, from a single yard to full truckloads
• Straight answers on how much to order, so you do not buy twice
• Delivery across seven nearby towns, plus pickup during yard hours
• Other bulk materials on site, so one trip can cover a whole project

Also, because the yard handles mulch, stone, loam, compost and sand in one place, contractors can mix a load plan for a job in one call. Homeowners, meanwhile, get the same material the pros use, measured the same way.

Where we deliver three-eighths bluestone

We deliver three-eighths bluestone to homes, contractors and property managers in Wrentham, Norfolk, Franklin, Foxborough, Plainville, Medway and Bellingham, Massachusetts. Patio and walkway contractors across Foxborough, Franklin and Bellingham pick up three-eighths bluestone for setting beds. Not sure your street is in range? Check the towns we serve, or just call and ask.

• Wrentham, MA
• Norfolk, MA
• Franklin, MA
• Foxborough, MA
• Plainville, MA
• Medway, MA
• Bellingham, MA

Pairs well with

Three-eighths bluestone usually works alongside other materials. For instance, ¾″ bluestone makes the base underneath, sand fills joints, and field stone makes a natural edge.

¾″ BluestoneCrushed bluestone for driveways, drainage and base layers.SandClean sand for leveling, bedding, backfill and mixing.New England Field StoneWeathered, irregular fieldstone for walls, borders and accents.

Three-eighths bluestone FAQs

Have a question that is not listed here? For more background on soils, mulching and plant care in our region, the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program publishes practical fact sheets. Otherwise, call the yard at (774) 372-1050 and we will help you choose.