decomposed granite xeriscape front yard las vegas spanish-contemporary home

Decomposed Granite & Chat for Water-Wise Las Vegas Landscapes

A top pick for SNWA xeriscape rebates. Up to $5/sq ft from SNWA, plus $2/sq ft in LVVWD add-ons for a combined $7/sq ft. Vegas Gold and Grey DG sourced straight from Nevada quarries. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, HOA-friendly.

$7 /sq ft

combined rebate potential (SNWA + LVVWD) when you convert lawn to DG xeriscape with qualifying plants and drip irrigation.

Rebate Guide

Granite That Packs Like Sand, Drains Like Gravel

Decomposed granite, DG for short, is naturally weathered granite broken down into sand-sized crusher fines. It compacts firm enough to walk on, but stays permeable so water sinks instead of pooling. Vegas homeowners reach for it because it fits the desert look, needs almost no care, and qualifies for water conservation rebates.

DG vs. Chat: DG is ultra-fine and packs tight. Chat is coarser, more angular, and drains faster. Both work for xeriscape. Pros sometimes layer chat under DG for better infiltration in clay spots. We stock both. Pick what fits your job, or combine them.

DG & Chat Colors Available

Four products to choose from. All sourced direct from Nevada quarries. No dyes, no imports.

vegas gold dg las vegas decomposed granite xeriscape
Crusher Fines

Vegas Gold DG

Warm reddish-terracotta, salmon-tan tones

Best for
Residential xeriscape, pathways, borders, base layer
Feel
Compacts firm underfoot, drains while packing tight
Note
Most popular DG for SNWA-approved yards.
grey dg las vegas decomposed granite xeriscape
Crusher Fines

Grey DG

Cool neutral grey

Best for
Modern landscapes, contemporary designs, mid-century desert
Feel
Same firm pack as Vegas Gold, silver-toned finish
Note
Pairs with silver desert spoon, steel planters, and cool stucco.
red chat las vegas decomposed granite xeriscape
1/4 inch Chat

Red Chat

Angular, porous red-brown stone

Best for
Drainage layer under DG, path accent, mixed designs
Feel
Rougher than DG. Drains faster, doesn't compact as tight
Note
Layer under DG in clay soils for better infiltration.
brown chat las vegas decomposed granite xeriscape
Angular Chat

Brown Chat

Earthy brown angular chat

Best for
Base layer, drainage, decorative accent
Feel
Good drainage with a warm, quiet finish
Note
Works with any plant palette. Warm and quiet.

It's Purpose-Built for This Climate

Mulch decomposes in Vegas heat. Grass needs 60+ gallons a day per 1,000 sq ft. Artificial turf hits 160°F in summer. DG was made for this climate. It compacts firm, drains fast, reflects less heat than asphalt, and carries SNWA's stamp for rebate projects.

The pathway pictured here is what your yard looks like a week after install, once the plate compactor has done its work.

  • Compacts to a firm walking surface. Your shoes don't sink and your ankles don't roll.
  • Permeable. Rain and irrigation drain through instead of puddling.
  • SNWA-approved. The default rebate-qualifying ground cover.
  • Zero ongoing water. Unlike turf, DG never gets thirsty.
vegas gold decomposed granite pathway winding through modern las vegas front yard xeriscape at golden hour
Vegas Gold DG pathway, packed firm and compacted for foot traffic.

How Much DG Do You Need?

Material TypeTons / 100 sq ft (2")Tons / 100 sq ft (3")Coverage / Ton (2")Coverage / Ton (3")
Vegas Gold DG0.8 tons1.3 tons120 sq ft80 sq ft
Grey DG0.8 tons1.3 tons120 sq ft80 sq ft
Red Chat (1/4 in)0.8 tons1.3 tons120 sq ft80 sq ft
Brown Chat0.8 tons1.3 tons120 sq ft80 sq ft

Pro tip: Most xeriscape designs use 2-3 inches of DG for best compaction and appearance. Layer 1 inch of chat below DG for drainage in clay soils. Use our Material Calculator for exact estimates.

Earn Up to $7/Sq Ft. The Clock Is Ticking.

Ripping out your lawn for DG xeriscape? You qualify for up to $5/sq ft from SNWA, plus $2/sq ft in LVVWD add-ons ($7/sq ft combined). Nevada law requires commercial and HOA decorative grass to be removed by the end of 2027. Residential incentives are likely to narrow after the deadline pressure lifts.

Requirements: pre-conversion site visit, 50% living plant coverage at maturity, efficient drip irrigation, permanent conservation easement. We handle the material side and can point you to approved plant lists and irrigation installers.

$5
SNWA per sq ft
+$2
LVVWD add-on
50%
living plants at maturity
2027
HOA/commercial deadline

Where DG & Chat Go to Work

01

Xeriscape Bases

The foundation of water-wise landscaping. Combine with SNWA-approved plants and drip irrigation for full rebate qualification.

02

Pathways

DG compacts naturally into a firm walking surface. No weeds, no dust once it settles.

03

Drainage Layers

Chat under DG improves water infiltration in clay-heavy soils. Standard trick for HOA-reviewed yards.

04

HOA Compliance

DG meets HOA xeroscaping requirements and counts as drought-tolerant groundcover.

05

Commercial Projects

Contractors use DG for large-scale xeriscape conversions. Bulk pricing and staged delivery on request.

06

Dog & Play Areas

Fine crusher fines pack comfortably and don't hold odor like mulch. Great for runs and low-traffic play zones.

vegas gold decomposed granite crusher fines texture in gloved hand

Why DG Packs and Mulch Doesn't

DG is a graded aggregate. Coarser granite particles locked together with the fine crusher dust that coats them. When you screed it to depth and run a plate compactor over it twice, the fines fill every void between the coarse bits. The result is a firm, rollable surface that still drains. Mulch, bark, and rubber don't have that mechanical structure. They stay loose forever.

That's why DG paths don't shift underfoot, why dogs don't dig through it, and why your SNWA inspector will sign off on a compacted bed but not on a loose one.

Construction Uses: Chat Base and Path Foundations

The same material pulls double duty on the construction side. Contractors call it crusher run, chat base, or just chat. It's the compacted base layer under paver patios, shed foundations, garden paths, flagstone sets, and low-traffic walkways. The fines lock the aggregate together, so once it's screeded and compacted, it behaves like a stable subgrade.

If you're building a paver patio or setting a shed pad, the same Vegas Gold DG or Grey DG that fits a xeriscape yard will work as your base. Same material, different job. Get a quote or call (702) 597-1010 and tell us what you're building.

DG Around the Valley

From Spanish-contemporary front yards to modern grey-DG installs, these are the looks landscapers are building this season.

spanish-contemporary las vegas home with vegas gold decomposed granite front yard
Vegas Gold DG · Spanish-contemporary front yard
grey decomposed granite front yard mid-century modern las vegas home
Grey DG · mid-century modern entry
vegas gold decomposed granite with landscape boulders tuscan-desert las vegas home
Vegas Gold DG · Tuscan-desert with boulder focal points

Have a DG install you'd like featured? Send us a photo. We credit the homeowner or landscaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

With proper compaction and annual maintenance, 5-7+ years before topdressing is needed. High-traffic areas like walkways and driveway edges may want a light refresh at year 3. UV exposure and wind over decades will lighten the color. That's cosmetic, not functional.
Yes. DG is softer on paws than angular rock, drains quickly, and doesn't hold urine odor the way mulch or artificial turf does. Make sure it's compacted well so it doesn't kick up dust. Most Vegas dog owners rinse the yard once a week in summer.
Smaller pathways and beds, yes. The key is renting a plate compactor to get 2-3 firm passes after screeding. For SNWA-rebate-eligible conversions (with drip irrigation, 50% living vegetation at maturity, and a permanent conservation easement), most homeowners hire a licensed landscaper. Call us at (702) 597-1010 for planning help.
SNWA-approved options include texas privet, four o'clock, desert rose, desert broom, silver beachweed, agave, golden barrel cactus, yucca, and desert spoon. The SNWA plant list has the full menu. We can suggest combos that read well with Vegas Gold or Grey DG.
Yes. SNWA requires efficient drip irrigation and 50% living vegetation at maturity for the rebate. A converted area also needs a permanent conservation easement and passes a pre-conversion site visit before payout. We can point you to approved irrigation installers.
DG (crusher fines) is ultra-fine and sand-like. It compacts firm under traffic. Chat is coarser and more angular. It drains faster but doesn't pack as tight. Pros sometimes layer 1 inch of chat under 2 inches of DG in clay soils for the best of both.
Close cousins. On the construction side, DG and chat get used interchangeably as compacted base for pavers, sheds, paths, and patios. You'll hear contractors call it crusher run, chat base, or just chat. Same aggregate, different job. We sell it for both uses.
Most xeriscape beds use 2-3 inches of depth. A ton of Vegas Gold covers about 120 sq ft at 2 inches, or 80 sq ft at 3 inches. Use our Material Calculator or call (702) 597-1010.

Ready to Go Water-Wise?

Request a quote for DG delivery and xeriscape planning. Tell us square footage and zip. We'll call you with a quote covering tonnage, delivery window, and rebate potential.