Decomposed granite (DG) is weathered granite that has broken down into small particles, typically 1/4 inch or smaller, that compact into a firm, semi-permeable surface. Installed cost in 2026 runs $1 to $3 per square foot for loose DG and $4 to $10 per square foot for stabilized DG, with bulk delivery sitting between $50 and $80 per ton.
At a glance:
- Natural, low-cost hardscape material
- Permeable, which helps with drainage and stormwater management
- Works for pathways, garden borders, patios, and light driveways
- Available in tan, gold, red, gray, and pink color ranges
- Compacts under pressure and needs occasional re-topping over time
What Decomposed Granite Actually Is
DG starts as solid granite rock that has weathered over thousands of years through freeze-thaw cycles, water movement, and natural mineral breakdown. The mineral structure breaks apart into smaller pieces ranging from coarse sand-sized particles to chunks the size of a thumbnail. What ends up in a contractor’s yard is a mixture of those particles, naturally graded so the smaller pieces fill the spaces between the larger ones when the material gets compacted.
That self-filling characteristic is what makes DG work as a surface material. When you spread it across a prepared base and compact it, the small particles wedge against the larger ones and create a firm walking surface that drains water rather than pooling like concrete. The texture stays soft enough underfoot to feel natural and hard enough to support furniture, foot traffic, and even light vehicles.
How Much Decomposed Granite Costs
Pricing breaks across three tiers depending on whether you’re buying bulk material, installing loose DG, or upgrading to stabilized DG with a binder.
| Type | Cost Range | Best Use |
| Bulk delivery (per ton) | $50 – $80 | DIY installation, large-area projects |
| Loose DG (installed) | $1 – $3 per sq ft | Pathways, garden borders, side yards |
| Stabilized DG (installed) | $4 – $10 per sq ft | Patios, light driveways, high-traffic areas |
Variables that move the quote:
- Color and source (Sierra Gold and California Gold typically run higher than basic gray DG)
- Delivery distance from the quarry to your property
- Site preparation like grading, weed barrier, and edge restraint
- Stabilizing binder (polymer, resin, or natural soil binders all add to material and labor cost)
- Depth and footprint of the application, since most installs run 2 to 4 inches thick
For a typical 200 sq ft Texas garden pathway, loose DG installs come in around $400 to $600. The same path stabilized for resistance to washout in heavy rain runs $800 to $2,000.
Where DG Works Best
DG is at its best in applications that benefit from a natural texture, good drainage, and an informal aesthetic that hard surfaces don’t deliver:
- Garden pathways where the path connects beds and feels like part of the landscape
- Patios in xeriscape designs that pair the texture with drought-tolerant plants
- Driveway aprons and side yard transitions that need a defined surface without the cost of concrete
- Around pools as a more comfortable, less reflective alternative to flagstone
- Mulch replacement in xeriscape beds where you want a permanent ground cover instead of annual mulch refreshes
The EPA’s Soak Up the Rain program guidance on permeable landscapes covers how permeable materials like DG handle stormwater far better than concrete or asphalt, which is one of the reasons Texas water districts increasingly recommend DG for residential projects.
Where DG Doesn’t Work
The honest counterpoint matters. DG isn’t the right call when:
- The slope exceeds 10%, since loose DG washes out in heavy rain on steep grades
- The application has constant high foot traffic with shoes that bring DG into the house
- Pets dig regularly in the planned area, since DG is easy to disturb
- The space needs a perfectly level surface for outdoor dining tables that wobble on uneven aggregate
- The driveway sees heavy vehicle use, since unstabilized DG won’t hold up to repeated tire loads
For sloped sites, stabilized DG with a polymer binder solves most of the washout problem. For high-traffic patios that need to stay level, a flagstone perimeter with DG infill in larger fields often delivers a better result than DG alone.
DG vs The Alternatives
| Material | Cost (per sq ft installed) | Drainage | Maintenance | Look |
| Decomposed Granite | $1 – $10 | Excellent | Re-top every 2-3 years | Natural, soft texture |
| Pea Gravel | $1 – $4 | Good | Frequent re-distribution | Loose, beach-like |
| Concrete | $6 – $15 | Poor | Low | Hard, formal |
| Flagstone | $15 – $30 | Moderate | Low | Premium, natural |
| Pavers | $10 – $25 | Moderate | Re-leveling occasionally | Designed, structured |
For Texas landscapes specifically, DG often performs better than concrete because of the Texas Water Development Board’s emphasis on permeable surfaces for stormwater management and groundwater recharge in drought-prone regions.
Installation Details Most Homeowners Miss
A few things separate a DG installation that holds up from one that scatters and washes out within a season:
- Edge restraint along borders keeps the material in place; without it, DG migrates onto lawns and into beds within months
- Base compaction matters as much as the surface; a 3-inch base of decomposed granite over poorly compacted native soil settles unevenly
- Drainage planning prevents pooling in low spots that turn into mud during storms
- Polymer stabilizer mixed into the top inch holds DG together on slopes or driveways
- Weed barrier beneath the DG significantly reduces weed growth without harming permeability
For more on how DG fits into a complete landscape design, our landscape design service page covers the broader scope of how we integrate DG into Texas backyards.
Decomposed Granite FAQ
How long does DG last?
A properly installed DG surface holds up for 5 to 7 years before needing significant re-topping or refresh. Stabilized DG with polymer binder lasts longer.
Can I install DG myself?
Yes for small pathways. Larger applications benefit from professional installation because of grading, compaction, and edge restraint requirements.
Will DG track into the house?
Loose DG can track in if it’s used right outside a door without a transition zone. A stepping-stone or stabilized DG section near entries reduces this significantly.
Does DG work in cold climates with freeze-thaw cycles?
Yes, but stabilized DG performs better in freeze-thaw conditions than loose DG because the binder keeps particles from heaving and settling.
Is DG safe for kids and pets?
Yes. The natural composition means no chemical treatments, and the texture is soft enough to be comfortable for bare feet and paws.
Let Someone Else Move the Tons
A medium-sized DG project means renting a plate compactor, sourcing the right tonnage from a local supplier, prepping the base, and spreading the material evenly across the planned footprint. It’s a Saturday and a Sunday for most homeowners, and the results vary widely based on prep quality.
Call us at (979) 575-6019 or message us here to schedule the consultation. Our landscape design page covers the broader scope of what we build into Texas backyards.