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HOW THE AGGREGATE INDUSTRY BUYS AND SELLS MATERIAL

In the aggregate and landscape materials industry, products are typically sold by either weight or volume. When you purchase by volume, you're buying material measured in cubic yards or cubic feet. Buying by weight, on the other hand, means you're paying a set price per pound or per ton, with the amount determined using a certified scale. These scales are closely regulated by the Weights & Measures agency to ensure accurate measurements, so you can trust that you're getting exactly what you paid for.

If you're new to buying materials like this, there are a few important tips to keep in mind to make sure you're getting the most for your money. First, always confirm whether you're being charged by weight or volume; it makes a difference in how your load is calculated and priced. Second, know the safe weight limit for your vehicle. It's not uncommon for small pickup trucks or trailers to get overloaded, which can lead to dangerous situations or accidents. Being aware of your load's weight not only protects your vehicle but also ensures safety.

How Do Rock Yards Purchase Material?

Most materials in the aggregate industry are purchased by weight from the originating quarry, with only a few exceptions. Typically, products are delivered to rock yards by a truck and transfer, with a full load weighing around 24 tons, the maximum legal weight for most truck and transfer loads.

When a retail center sells material by volume (such as by the cubic yard), they must first calibrate an average weight per yard for each product. This allows them to convert a 24-ton load into a set number of cubic yards for resale. However, this weight-to-volume ratio can vary significantly depending on moisture content, particularly between wet and dry seasons. 

While a cubic yard is always a fixed volume, and a ton always equals 2,000 pounds, the weight of a cubic yard of material, especially bark and porous aggregates, can fluctuate greatly. This makes it challenging for yards to maintain accurate and current calibrations throughout the year.

For example, a 24-ton truckload of bark might convert to about 110 yards in July, when it's dry, but only 80 yards or less in January, when the material is wet and heavy. Similarly, porous materials like lava rock absorb water during rainy conditions or when processed and washed at the quarry. This moisture adds weight. A freshly delivered load of lava rock might initially calculate as 1 yard = 0.75 ton (1,500 lbs), but once it dries out during the summer, that same yard could weigh closer to 0.60 ton (1,200 lbs).

So if you're buying a yard of lava rock in July, you'll receive about 1,200 pounds of material. In January, that same yard might weigh 1,500 to 1,600 pounds due to retained moisture. This principle applies not just to lava rock and bark, but also to road base, decomposed granite, and many other moisture-sensitive aggregate products.

Purchasing material by weight is the most reliable way to ensure you're getting a consistent amount, rain or shine. In fact, buying during the dry season is often the smartest approach, because it takes less weight to make up one yard of material, and your money goes farther. 

At PRO Aggregate, we purchase and sell material by weight. Our on-site certified trucking scales allow us to weigh every load of bark, lava rock, and aggregate that comes into our yard. We adjust our pricing seasonally to reflect actual costs, lower in the dry season, higher in the wet season, so we can pass the savings on to our customers whenever possible. When you buy by weight, you always get what you pay for, but if you're trying to convert that weight into volume, remember that it will always vary depending on the moisture content.

How Do Rock Yards Sell Material?

Weight versus Volume.

In the aggregate industry, materials are often sold either by volume (typically measured in cubic yards) or by weight (pounds or tons). When sold by volume, products are loaded using a bucket that's calibrated to hold a specific measurement, such as 1 yard, 3/4 yard, or 1/2 yard. If the bucket is filled level to the top, you're receiving an accurate volume. However, if the bucket is underfilled or inconsistently loaded, the actual volume delivered may fall short. When buying by volume, accuracy depends entirely on the loader and the consistency of each bucket.   

At PRO Aggregate, we take the guesswork out of the equation. We sell almost all of our products by weight. Each sale is measured using a certified scale, and you're charged based on the exact weight of your load, no estimation, no variation. This eliminates the potential for loader error and ensures you're getting exactly what you paid for, every time. Certified weights and scale tags are provided with each sale to verify quantity.

How much can my vehicle hold?

Safety should always come first when purchasing bulk materials. Overloading your vehicle or trailer can lead to serious issues on the road, including impaired steering, reduced braking ability, and increased risk of accidents. To avoid these problems, it's important to know the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle or trailer before loading.

Before making a purchase, ask the yard staff for the weight per yard of the material you're buying. Different products, especially those that retain moisture like bark or gravel, can vary significantly in weight. Knowing the weight ahead of time helps ensure you stay within your vehicle's safe load limit.

Stay safe, drive smart - and remember: buy when it's dry to get the most material for your money.

General Rules of Thumb

A half-ton pickup can typically carry about 1,000 lbs (or half a ton).  A 3/4-ton or 1-ton pickup can handle more weight, but it's important to always refer to your vehicle's owner manual for specific safety guidelines and the maximum cargo load your vehicle can safely carry. 

When it comes to material coverage, one cubic yard will cover approximately 120 to 150 square feet at a 2-inch depth, depending on the type of material. Larger products, like 2"-3" cobble or medium bark, will provide less coverage than finer materials.

To better visualize a cubic yard, it's a cube measuring 3 feet long by 3 feet wide by 3 feet high. If you were to spread that volume out evenly, it would cover an area of about 10 feet by 12 feet at 2 inches thick. 

One cubic yard is also equal to 27 cubic feet, and since one cubic foot holds roughly 7.5 gallons, that means a cubic yard equals 202.5 gallons. If you use 5-gallon buckets, it would take about 40.5 buckets to equal one cubic yard. This is a great way to picture how much a cubic yard really is, and it can also help when comparing bulk vs. bagged material pricing.

Looking for more tips and tricks for your next landscape project? Check out our other blog posts for insight and guides.

Topsoil, Blended Soils, Screened Soil, Dirt, and Fill Dirt: What's the Difference?  

• Planting Grass? The first thing to understand is that no soil will be free of rocks; rocks and dirt naturally go together. If you want a rock-free lawn or garden soil, be prepared to do some raking and screening yourself. However, starting with a quality blended soil can make this process so much easier. Blended soils typically combine screened soil with compost, which adds essential nutrients and helps retain moisture. At PRO Aggregate, we offer several blended soil options to support healthy grass growth and simplify your project. 
• What is used for Gardens and Raised Beds? For garden and raised beds, we recommend using Garden Blend soil. This soil has already undergone the first step of removing unwanted roots, rocks, dirt clumps, and other debris. However, gardeners should plan to further work the soil themselves to clear any remaining rocks and clumps, especially screened soils can form clumps after a wet winter. Gardening is as much about nurturing and caring for your soil as it is for your plants. We prepare quality soil as the foundation, but the final preparation happens with you, after delivery.
• What is Topsoil and Screened Soil?  Technically, topsoil refers to the uppermost layer of soil, but the term is often used more broadly to describe a variety of materials that may not have originally been topsoil. Screening is a process used to create topsoil-like materials. During screening, soil is moved by conveyor belts over a mesh screen with specific-sized holes. Particles larger than the holes are separated out and sent to a different pile, while smaller particles pass through to form a pile of screened soil. Since this is a mechanical process, sometimes large pieces can accidentally fall into the screened soil pile, so it's not uncommon to find some large rocks mixed in with screened soil.
• What is Fill Dirt used for?  Fill Dirt is often made up of unscreened topsoil or subsoil. It's primarily used for filling holes, building up low areas, landscape leveling, or supporting retaining walls. It's not intended for planting, as it typically lacks nutrients and may contain rocks or clumps. If your project involved planting grass, trees, or shrubs, it's best to apply a higher-quality soil, such as screened topsoil or a blended garden mix, over the fill dirt to create a healthier growing environment. 
• Where does the dirt come from? At PRO Aggregate, we source our dirt from local construction and excavation sites, including pool digs, basements, and commercial developments. Rather than letting this material go to waste, we recycle it into usable soil products. We maintain strict standards on the materials we accept to ensure nothing contaminated makes it into our supply. Much of the topsoil we process comes from deep, undisturbed layers of earth, making it a great base for various landscaping needs.  
• Soil vs Dirt. Soil contains a high level of organic materials, which can accumulate naturally over time as leaves, roots, and other plant matter decompose into the upper layer of the earth. It can also be enhanced through blending screened soils with organic compost, creating a nutrient-rich medium ideal for plant growth. Dirt, on the other hand, usually refers to subsoil or earth from areas without plant life. It lacks organic content and structure, making it less suitable for gardening or landscaping without amendment. 
• Why is there sometimes debris in the material? Occasionally, small amounts of debris may be found in soil materials. This typically originates from the construction or excavation site where the material was sourced, not from our PRO Aggregate facility. While we take great care in screening and processing thousands of tons of material, and we maintain strict quality control standards, some debris may occasionally make it into the final product. We are always working to provide the best quality materials possible, and appreciate your understanding in the rare instances when something slips through.

Depending on your land and specific project, it's important to make an informed decision when choosing between different soil or dirt types. For example, sand is often added to heavy clay soils to improve drainage, while clay can be mixed into sandy soils to help retain moisture. Regardless of your soil type, the key to supporting healthy plant life is to always incorporate a nutrient-rich compost or blended soil. This ensures your soil has the structure, moisture balance, and nutrients needed for strong root development and long-term plant health.

Soil Product Images

Raking Rocks From Blended Soil

Grade C Screened Soil- Occasional Debris in material