Rock Armour

Rock armour isn’t a walkway. The big, uneven stones can be slippery and hazardous, especially when wet.

We don’t replace your engineer, but we do more than just drop rock at the gate. We work with your team on sizing, build-ups and constructability so your defence works on paper and on site.

Rock armour gives you a solid, natural-looking barrier that helps take the force out of the waves before they hit the shore. In many exposed spots, it can work out cheaper to install and simpler to look after than a rigid concrete wall, gabions or sheet piles.

When correctly specified (appropriate rock type and size) and installed on a suitable foundation, rock armour can provide protection for several decades, often lasting 50-100 years.

Its lifespan depends on the durability of the stone (for example, hard igneous rocks like granite and basalt), local wave climate, water levels and how well it is inspected and maintained over time.

Yes, in practice, “Rip rap” and rock armour refer to the same type of protection: heavy rock placed to shield shorelines, riverbanks and structures from erosion and scour. “Rip rap” size vary between 100/500mm stone.

Rock armour is natural quarry stone in large, irregular sizes, laid in layers to create a heavy, interlocking barrier against waves, currents and scour. It’s ideal for stabilising shorelines, breakwaters and flood defences.

Due to the voids between the stones, rock armour allows water to pass through to dissipate energy rather than taking the full impact like a solid wall. This can significantly reduce erosion and protect the land or asset behind it.

Our armourstone is produced to BS EN 13383, which covers grading, density and durability for demanding coastal and river works. We back this up with test data and certificates.