What all-in ballast is
Ballast is a mix of sharp sand and gravel up to 20mm. Add cement and water and you have concrete. You will see it called all-in ballast, all-in aggregate, concrete mix or sand and gravel.
Mixing it
For most garden jobs, like shed bases and fence posts, a mix of about 1 part cement to 5 parts ballast is usual. For a stronger slab, go to about 1 to 4. Mix it dry first, then add water a little at a time until it holds its shape.
As a rough guide, a cubic metre of concrete takes about 2 tonnes of ballast plus the cement. The calculator works out the ballast for the area and depth you pour.
Ordering from us
Measure the area and depth of the pour, use the calculator, and send the order on WhatsApp with your postcode. Haulage is £49 a trip within Poole and Bournemouth plus the ballast at the quarry price. We confirm the total before we collect.
Questions about 20mm ballast
How much ballast for a 3m x 2m shed base?
At 100mm deep, about 1.1 tonnes, or about 1.2 tonnes with 10% for spillage and levelling. That fits in one trip.
Is ballast the same as concrete?
No. Ballast is the sand and stone. It becomes concrete when you mix it with cement and water.
Can you bring the cement too?
We can collect bagged cement from a merchant on the same run. Tell us how many bags when you order.
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Other materials we deliver
MOT Type 1 →Sharp sand →Building sand →20mm shingle →Topsoil →All materials and prices →