Masonry Consumables - Other

Top Masonry Consumables in the US: Where to Buy Decorative Pebbles, Mortar, Sealants and More

Why the right masonry consumables matter

Choosing the right consumables for a masonry project is like picking the right spices for a recipe — the basics might be the same, but the quality and proportions change the final result. Whether you’re laying pavers, building a garden wall, or edging a pathway with decorative pebbles, the materials you buy will affect durability, appearance, and how much elbow grease you’ll need later. The good news? Most of the items you need — from mortar and grout to decorative beach pebbles — are widely available across national and local stores in the US, so you can shop smart and save time.

Common masonry consumables every DIYer should know

Before we dive into where to buy, let’s map out the essential consumables you’ll encounter: decorative stones and pebbles, different types of sand, mortar mixes, grout, sealants and adhesives, jointing compounds, anchors and fasteners, landscape fabric, and drainage solutions. Knowing what each product does helps you choose the right item at the right store, so you don’t end up with a bag of mortar that’s too weak for a load-bearing wall or pebbles that flatten under foot traffic.

Decorative pebbles and gravel

Decorative pebbles come in sizes from small 1/8-inch chips to large 1–3 inch beach pebbles, and weights are commonly sold by the pound or in 30 lb bags for convenience. These stones are used for aesthetic edging, drainage layers, and xeriscaping. They’re great at hiding the imperfections of your soil and provide a clean, low-maintenance look around planters and paths.

Mortar, grout and jointing compounds

Mortar mixes and grout are the glue that holds masonry together. Mortar typically comes pre-mixed in bags measured by weight, like 60 lb bags, and choosing the right type (type N, S, or M) depends on your load requirements. Grout is used for finishing joints and filling gaps, and jointing compound is used for paving joints between pavers and natural stone.

Sealants, adhesives and waterproofing

Sealants protect masonry from stains and water damage, while adhesives help bond veneers and tiles. Look for products labeled for exterior use and rated for freeze-thaw conditions if you live in a cold climate. Sealants are often sold in tube form for caulking guns or in quart and gallon sizes for brush-on applications.

Anchors, fasteners and mesh

Anchors, screws, and reinforcement mesh aren’t glamorous, but they are essential for stability. Depending on your masonry type—brick, concrete block, or stone—you’ll need specific anchors and sometimes corrosion-resistant fasteners to ensure a long-lasting installation.

Walmart: affordable decorative pebbles and everyday supplies

If you’re hunting for cost-effective options, Walmart is a convenient go-to for decorative pebbles and general masonry consumables. Walmart stocks a variety of landscaping stones and small bags that are perfect for trial projects or for topping planter beds. One popular item you’ll find is the Rainforest Outdoor Decorative Natural Stone Beach Pebbles in grey and tan, sold in 30 lb bags with pebble sizes around 1–3 inches. These stones are great for garden features, walkways, and small drainage projects.

The Home Depot: pro-grade mixes, tools and bulk options

The Home Depot tends to be the best place when your project is more ambitious. You’ll find contractor-grade mortar mixes, larger sack sizes like 60 lb or even 80 lb, masonry tools, and bulk landscape stone by the cubic yard through delivery or pickup. Home Depot also stocks specialized items like polymer-modified mortars, high-performance sealants, and geotextiles for soil stabilization. Their online product pages often list coverage estimates, which help you calculate how many bags or how many 30 lb units you’ll need.

Lowe’s: a balance of selection and pro-quality choices

Lowe’s is very similar to Home Depot in terms of product range but sometimes carries different brand lines or seasonal offers. If you’re replacing grout or sealant for pavers or tiling, Lowe’s carries a wide selection of color-matched grouts and flexible sealants. They also have in-store staff who can point you toward the right mortar strength and jointing compound for your type of stone or veneer.

Ace Hardware and Menards: local-focused supplies and expert advice

Ace Hardware and Menards are great for neighborhood-level shopping. Ace often stocks smaller quantities and more niche brands, which is ideal when you only need a couple of 30 lb bags of decorative pebbles or a single tube of exterior adhesive. Menards, where available, offers competitive pricing and a solid selection of landscape stone, sealers, and masonry tools, which can be a cost-effective option for medium-sized projects.

Amazon, specialty landscape suppliers and local quarries

If convenience is king, Amazon and specialized online landscape suppliers excel at delivering a wide variety of colors and sizes of decorative stones right to your driveway. You’ll find bulk options and rare finishes that big box stores may not carry. For the most cost-effective bulk purchases—think several cubic yards—local landscape suppliers or stone yards and quarries often beat national chains on price and can deliver by the truckload.

Why consider a local stone yard?

Local suppliers give you tactile control: you can pick the exact color and size, inspect stone quality in person, and often negotiate on delivery. If you’re buying a full cubic yard for a patio or a large bed, that hands-down beats hauling dozens of 30 lb bags in your trunk.

Spotlight: Rainforest Outdoor Decorative Natural Stone Beach Pebbles

That Rainforest Outdoor 30 lb bag of beach pebbles mentioned earlier is a helpful example of the kind of low-cost decorative stone available at many retailers. At about 30 lb per bag and with pebble sizes in the 1–3 inch range, these stones are heavy enough to stay in place on gentle slopes, attractive for edging, and serve well in planters and around water features. They’re a quick, affordable upgrade when you want an instant facelift for a garden bed or pathway.

How to choose the right consumable for your project

Ask yourself: is the project structural or decorative? For structural work, prioritize strength-rated mortar and the correct anchors. For decorative jobs, color, size and the stone’s resistance to wear are more important. Also consider your climate: freeze-thaw cycles demand frost-resistant mortars and sealants. If drainage is a concern, choose angular gravel or river rock over flat, smooth pebbles that may shift more.

Evaluate coverage vs. weight

Manufacturers list coverage in square feet at a specified depth — for example, a 30 lb bag might cover about 2 to 3 square feet at a 2-inch depth depending on stone size and shape. Always buy a bit extra to account for settling and uneven terrain. If you’re ordering by volume from a supplier, ask for cubic feet or cubic yards and confirm delivery sizes.

Match material to weather and traffic

For high-traffic areas like driveways and walkways, pick stone that won’t crush easily and use appropriate jointing compounds and compacting techniques. For low-traffic decorative beds, lightweight and colorful stones are an aesthetic choice and easier to rearrange seasonally.

Installation tips for pebbles, mortar and grout

Small mistakes add up fast — a thin base or wrong mortar mix can mean trouble down the line. For decorative pebble beds, prepare a weed barrier or landscape fabric, build a 2–4 inch base layer of crushed stone for drainage, then add your decorative top layer. For masonry walls, follow manufacturer instructions for mortar ratios and cure times; don’t rush the setup before the mortar gains strength.

Mixing mortar and grout like a pro

Always add water slowly when mixing mortar to avoid a soupy mix. Aim for a workable mortar that holds its shape but is still pliable — like a thick cookie dough. For grout, follow temperature and humidity guidance on the bag. Hot, dry days may require misting to prevent premature drying; cold conditions may require chalking out work or using warm water to accelerate curing within safe limits.

Compact and finish paver joints

When installing pavers with jointing compound or polymeric sand, sweep the material into joints and then compact the pavers to settle joint material fully. After compacting, sweep in more jointing sand to fill remaining gaps, and mist with water if using a polymeric product so it activates and hardens properly.

Cost considerations and budgeting for supplies

Prices vary widely depending on quality and quantity. Expect to pay per 30 lb bag for decorative pebbles at the lower end, while contractor-grade mortar and sealants are sold by the 60 lb bag or gallon respectively. Bulk orders of stone by the cubic yard from local suppliers usually offer the best per-unit price for large projects. Don’t forget to budget for tools like a plate compactor rental, mortar mixer or a good trowel set — they can save time and money by reducing mistakes.

Eco-friendly choices and sustainable masonry consumables

If sustainability matters to you, look for recycled glass chips, crushed reclaimed concrete for sub-base, and permeable jointing materials that allow rainwater to soak through instead of running off. These options reduce landfill waste and can improve drainage in your yard, which is a win for both appearance and the environment.

Wrapping up: match the product to the job and shop smart

Masonry consumables are the unsung heroes of any outdoor or house project. Whether you pick up 30 lb bags of decorative beach pebbles at Walmart, buy contractor-grade mortar at Home Depot or Lowe’s, or order bulk stone from a local quarry, the key is aligning product choice with performance requirements. Shop with a plan, measure twice, and don’t skimp on the small items — good anchors, a quality sealant, and the right jointing compound are what keep your handiwork looking great year after year.

Conclusion

Buying the right masonry consumables doesn’t have to be stressful. With national retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s providing dependable stock, and specialty suppliers offering unique and bulk options, you have flexibility to match quality and price to your project needs. Prioritize materials based on whether your work is decorative or structural, factor in climate and traffic, and invest in the right tools. With the right shopping strategy and a few installation smart moves, you’ll get a durable, attractive result that stands the test of time.