Welcome to T.W. Nickerson, Inc.
Cape Cod Landscape Supply, Wood-Waste Recycling & Excavation Contractors
We have a wide selection of base materials for creating, repairing and restoring driveways. Top them with or replenish existing crushed stone in two colors and sizes or the very popular crushed seashells.
Our driveway shells are clean but arrive in a gray color and larger texture; however, within a few sunny days they will be
uniformly white and crushed.
One cubic yard of crushed gravel equals about 1.3 tons; however, we will not know the exact total until it is weighed prior to delivery.
Not sure how much gravel to order? Provide us with the length and width (in feet) of your driveway and your desired depth (1" refreshing up to 3" for new driveways), and we can estimate the amount you will need!
We can assist you with your calculations or any other questions by phone or at our office.
Crushed Stone & Crushed Shells
Crushed Stone & Crushed Shells | ||
| Item | Price | U/M |
| 3/4" Crushed Bluestone | $50.00 | Ton |
| 3/8" Crushed Bluestone | $50.00 | Ton |
| 3/4" Crushed Native Stone * | $50.00 | Ton |
| 3/8" Crushed Native Stone ("Pea Stone&ququot;) * | $50.00 | Ton |
| 1-1/2" Crushed Native Stone, Double Washed * | $52.50 | Ton |
| Crushed White Shells **Shells are currently out of stock. There is no known timeframe when we will get them again. We do not expect to have shells in stock for the Spring 2022 season.** | TBD | Yard |
Native Stone & Crushed Shells
Stone
| Loose Stone, Hand Picked | $0.25 | LB |
| Native Boulders | $85.00 | TON |
PRICES VALID ON IN-STOCK ITEMS ONLY. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE APPLICABLE 6.25% MA SALES TAX.
$80.00 per yard
SKU: BULKCRSHCLMSHELL
2.337 in stock
Crushed clam shells are a natural, economic option for landscape decor and drive ways. Crushed clam shells are white and gray and are commonly used in driveways or parking lots down at the shore.
Click Here to Calculate How Much Material You May Need For Your Project
Size
Variation:
Please allow for up to 10% larger or smaller pieces as well as up to 10% fine material within your product than what is described in the product information. This is due to the sieve mechanism.
Product Coloration:
The product may appear darker or lighter than the picture due to being a natural product.
Guiding Volume:
On orders of 4 tons or more, please allow for 10% more or less in product quantity regarding your
ordered amount.
On orders less than 4 tons, please allow for 20% more or less product quantity regarding your ordered amount.
On much larger orders, the percentage of quantity difference will be reduced. These differences are due to the nature of the loading mechanism.
2.337 in stock
Crushed Clam Shells quantity
Create a classic New England look with a crushed sea shells driveway, walk or gathering area. We provide quahog shells that are inexpensive, clean and odor free.
Bayberry Inn in Newport RI
This backyard patio, with its numerous sitting areas, was designed and installed by Atlantic. The bed and breakfast is located to the Viking Hotel in Newport. The landscape has a beach style with lots of blue hydrangeas, white furniture and sea shelled
Fire Pit with Quahog Shells
Atlantic designed and installed this backyard makeover for the Bayberry Inn in Newport Rhode Island. This sitting area is surrounded by blue hydrangeas and red leafed plums. Guests are welcome to use the fire pit and various sitting spaces we helped cre
We think crushed seashells should be on the short list for surfacing paths and driveways. After all, they’re natural, beautiful, functional, and remind us of the sea. Read on to find out if crushed seashell is the best hardscaping material for you.
Shells are used as a paving material all over the world. In the US, seashell paths originated in Colonial times as a result of early-American recycling efforts. Oysters and other shellfish were a primary source of food, and thrifty settlers put their discarded shells to use as a paving material. Later this practice became common in New England as a way to recycle waste from the seafood industry.
Why surface paths with seashells?
A great alternative to gravel, crushed shells can be used on paths, patios, courtyards, driveways, and even bocce ball courts (the shells don’t hold water or imprints from shoes and balls). As the shells are walked on or driven over, they break into smaller pieces that disperse evenly, creating a stable surface that’s not prone to the ruts and holes you get with crushed stone toppings.
Another benefit is that, as long as they come from a sustainable harvesting operation, shells are environmentally friendly. They provide excellent drainage since rainwater runs through them to percolate into the ground. And shells are a natural material that benefits the ground below as they decompose.
Coverage is key. The experts at Emerald Landscape Supply in Massachusetts recommend a three-inch-deep application. Some installers suggest starting with a gravel base, but it must be compacted and leveled (preferably by a professional) so the surface doesn’t become soft. You want to ensure that tires drive over—not through—it. The shells will compact and become more stable over time.
The general rule of thumb is that one cubic yard of seashell will provide a three-inch-deep cover for a 100-square-foot space. Another tip: Shell hardscaping is best for level surfaces. A steep drive is not a good application, as the shells are likely to collect at the bottom.
What are the best shells to use?
The most common shells used for hardscaping are oyster, clam, and scallop. Their differences are subtle: mostly in color and how they break down. Oyster shells, primarily off-white and gray, break down in a way that makes them more compact and, subsequently, more stable over time. Clamshells, mostly off-white or yellow-white, are slightly more fragile and will break down faster than oyster shells. They also compact nicely for vehicle traffic. Scallop shells add brown coloration to the mix. Despite initial variations in color, all the shells bleach under the sun and become lighter over time. Your choice will most likely depend on what’s readily available in your area.
Do seashells smell?
Shells that are sold in bulk for hardscaping purposes are left over from seafood harvesting, so the shellfish have been removed. Typically, the shells have been thoroughly washed, so there should be little left to generate stink. That said, they may arrive with some natural aroma, but that should dissipate within a day or two. (To one homeowner, they smelled like the beach, not dead seafood.)
How much do seashell paths cost?
When bought in bulk, seashells are on the more affordable end of the spectrum: comparable to crushed gravel; less than asphalt, concrete, or stone. Clamshells seem to be the least expensive, offered at about $40 per cubic yard, or $50 per ton. We priced crushed oyster shell at $385 per ton. The Atlantic coast is the primary source of shells; if you live elsewhere, shipping may be the most expensive part of the project. Contact your local landscape supplier for availability. Alternatively, suppliers like Myco ship crushed shell all over North America.
Buyers’ tip: Buy in bulk for the lowest price. Unless you’re covering a very small area, avoid purchasing small bags at a feed store or the like.
What about maintenance?
The good news: Shell paths and driveways can’t crack, so repairs aren’t part of the package. Cold and heat won’t damage the shells, and they don’t develop ruts and holes. Assuming a generous layer was applied at the outset, the material will last a long time. Because of compacting it will eventually need replenishing, but not every year (or even every other year). And unlike gravel, crushed shell hardscaping rarely encounters issues with weeds or pests: The shells’ sharp edges act as a natural deterrent (but they’re not so sharp as to be an issue for tires or shoes).
Seashell Path and Driveway Recap:
Pros:
- Natural product
- Durable
- Affordable
- Low maintenance
- Light colors mean cooler surface in hot climates
- Provides excellent drainage and prevents runoff
- Visually appealing
- Won’t crack or break, requiring repairs
Cons:
- Rough surface that is not barefoot friendly or conducive to bikes, trikes, and other smooth-surface toys and activities
- Not a good covering for steep drives or paths
- Snow removal difficult
- Not readily available in all areas, and shipping may be expensive
See our curated guide to Driveways 101 for more design ideas. For more ways to use shells in a landscape, see:
- Garden Visit: Secrets from an Earlier Century at Colonial Williamsburg
- Landscape Architect Visit: Clamshell Alley on the Coast of Maine