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You need _____ Tons of #8 Clean Limestone
How To Measure
For patio bases, measure the total square footage and add at least 6 inches beyond the edge of your planned patio to support the border. For trenches and French drains, measure length, width, and depth, and always factor in the displacement of your drainage pipe when estimating stone. Remember that depth drives everything here: because base and drainage applications are installed 6 to 12 inches deep, even a small area can require several tons. Enter your dimensions in the calculator above and it converts them straight to tons for you.
Depth Recommendations
Open-Grade Patio Base: 6–8 inches, compacted in layers over non-woven fabric. ~40–55 sq ft per ton.
French Drains / Trench Drains: 12+ inches, with at least 3 inches of stone surrounding the pipe. ~1 ton per 25–35 sq ft.
Surface / Pipe Bedding: 4 inches over prepared subgrade. ~55–60 sq ft per ton.
Driveways: Not recommended — this stone has no fines to lock together and will scatter under a plow. Use a compactable stone like #53 or #73 instead.
The Ultimate Drainage & Open-Grade Base Stone for Freeze-Thaw Climates
In the hardscaping industry, #8 Clean Limestone (typically 3/8" to 1" angular stone) is the workhorse of modern construction. Because it has been washed to remove the stone dust ("fines"), it does not pack down into a solid, impenetrable sheet. Instead, it maintains millions of tiny void spaces between the stones, allowing water to pass through instantly.
The Open-Grade Advantage: In the Michiana area, our freeze-thaw cycles destroy traditional sand-and-gravel patio bases. As water gets trapped under pavers and freezes, it expands, causing the patio to heave and sink. We highly recommend using #8 Clean Limestone for an "Open-Grade Base." When wrapped in geotextile fabric, this system allows heavy rains to drain completely through the foundation, completely eliminating the trapped water that causes winter frost heave.
How much you need: One ton of #8 limestone covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches, but base and drainage work runs much deeper — a 6-inch patio base covers only about 40 to 55 square feet per ton, and a 12-inch French drain trench needs about one ton for every 25 to 35 square feet. Use the calculator above to get your exact tonnage, then tap Get Instant Quote for a delivered price. #8 runs about $65 per ton plus delivery, with a $250 minimum, delivered across Niles, South Bend, Granger, Mishawaka, and New Buffalo.
Building a patio, not just buying stone? The base is the single biggest reason patios fail in our climate — and it's the part homeowners most often get wrong. If you'd rather have it engineered right the first time, this is exactly what we do. See how we build a freeze-thaw-proof patio base, or request a site consultation and we'll design the foundation for you.
FAQ
How much does #8 clean limestone cost delivered in Michiana?
#8 clean limestone runs about $65 per ton for the material, plus a delivery fee, with a $250 minimum for delivery-only orders. Because base and drainage work is installed 6 to 12 inches deep, most jobs need several tons — a typical open-grade patio base or French drain runs a few hundred dollars delivered. Enter your dimensions in the calculator above and tap Get Instant Quote for an exact delivered price to Niles, South Bend, Granger, Mishawaka, or New Buffalo.
I'm building a French drain in heavy clay soil. What's the biggest mistake to avoid?
Failing to use non-woven geotextile fabric. If you just dump #8 Clean stone into a trench dug in Michiana clay, that clay will eventually migrate into the void spaces between the rocks and clog the drain completely. You must line the entire trench with high-quality non-woven fabric before adding the pipe and stone to keep the system draining forever.
Should I use this to top-dress my gravel driveway?
We strongly advise against it. Because this stone has no "fines" (stone dust) to bind it together, it stays relatively loose. If you use this on a driveway in our area, the first time a snowplow comes through, you will end up with a massive pile of limestone pushed into your yard or snow-holding area. Stick to a compactable stone (like #53 or #73) for driveways.