Crushed Oyster Shell For Bocce
The traditional choice for professional play.
Oyster shell for bocce has been the premier choice in both bocce and pétanque courts for generations. The application of oyster shells has stood the test of time for one simple reason: recalcification.
Oyster shells are 98% calcium carbonate. Unlike sand, clay, granite, and aggregate mixes marketed as bocce blends, which break down, shift, or wash away under wet conditions, oyster shell top coat only improves with water. Over time oyster shells begin to re-calcify or fuse. This results in a compact, porous, yet hard surface which makes for excellent play.
Oyster shell grades suitable for bocce and pétanque
Oyster Shell Flour
Oyster shell flour has a sand-like consistency. It is kiln-dried, light in color and turns bright white in the sun. The fine grade re-calcifies more quickly, and gives the court a smoother playing surface and a professional finish. Approximately 80% of our bocce customers choose oyster flour for their courts.
Dried or Wet ⅜” minus
What we often call our version of a “bocce mix” is actually a grade of shell known as landscape grade or ⅜” minus. It comes in both a wet and a dried style. A ⅜” minus grade includes shells that are ⅜” in size and smaller which will include oyster dust and flour. The larger pieces result in a rougher surface and bumpier play.
Ultimately, grade choice comes down to personal preference. Depending on budget and desired final look and play, we recommend one or both of these two shells. Given the personal nature of the final design, we highly recommend clients purchase a sample pack before making a final decision. By seeing and feeling the samples, clients can make an educated decision about which grade/size will work best for their court. We also encourage any clients new to court design to ask questions. We can help you determine how many tons you will need. Most bocce ball courts will use between 4 to 9 tons depending on the court’s size. Our consultants can be reached at 412-764-2565 to help in your court construction.
When using crushed oyster shell for bocce, remember, it’s a game! It’s suppose to be fun and relaxing! So whether you use oyster shell flour our a wet 3/8″ minus shell. Both are 100% suitable for hobby and professional players.
Tips on how to build a bocce court!
1. Use only crushed oyster shell for bocce. Oyster shells are crushed to different sizes for different industries. We sell oyster shells to water treatment plants, oil and gas companies, paint manufacturers and more. Using the correct size of shell will make a difference in how the ball rolls and plays.
2. Oyster shell flour will give your court a smoother surface which allows the ball to roll quickly. Wet 3/8″ minus shell is a bit rougher in texture which will slow the ball down. This is good for smaller bocce courts or for those who like a slower play. When considering the size of crushed oyster shell for bocce, don’t think about it too much! It’s all the same material just crushed to different sizes.
3. When the bocce court is complete, consider using a water roller to give the court a clean, pressed look. Or the court can be raked to give subtle lines. Crushed oyster shell for bocce or petanque courts should be kept clean and free to debris such as leaves or grass clipping.
4. Bocce court maintenance is important! We recommend cleaning the court after every use. As the oyster shell recalcifies, the courts top coat will harden. By raking and leveling, you will always have a court that’s ready to be played upon. If not, you may see wave or divots on your court.
5. We often get asked if it’s okay to use mix different materials together to make a bocce court? Generally, we suggest only using crushed oyster shell for bocce and nothing else. This level of purity makes the play more consistent. However, if you want a specific style of play. Don’t be afraid to use other materials. It’s just that the binding and recalcification process will take much longer to achieve.
6. Shell is the best surface material to use for bocce, but again, be sure to use crushed oyster shell for bocce courts. Large or full sized shells can not be used for bocce. The ball will not roll properly and over time the shells will crack and become sharp.
7. A word about drainage. Oyster shell flour and wet 3/8″ minus do drain properly and well on all courts. But keep in mind, like with any aggregate, if you have heavy rains. It may take a few hours for your court to drain. Some often think of using multiple layers of shell for their courts, which is fine. But when crushed oyster shell for bocce, it may take 12-24 hours for a bocce court to drain after a heavy storm.
If you need more information, please reach out via phone or email and we’ll be happy to give more information. When it comes to crushed oyster shell for bocce, we are the nations largest supplier.
Looking for information on the history of bocce? These sites offer great resources!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bocce
https://www.campodibocce.com/history/
