The Different Types Of Sand Used In Building And Construction

Since the dawn of time, man and woman have designed and built structures as part of human growth, some for housing, some for storage, and some for fun, but one ingredient that has played a massive role in the building and construction industry is sand.

Sand is plentiful here on the earth’s surface; we have beaches and seabed’s full of this naturally occurring material, there are some questions regarding its environmental sustainability and possible short supply, but have we ever stopped to think about what it is and why it is so useful to us?

Not All Sand Is The Same

To the untrained eye, all sand used in building and construction can seem the same, but there are minor and sometimes genuine differences in the texture, colour and style and what they are used for.

Some sands have uses that suit certain applications, whilst others can only be used for specific tasks, and today, we endeavour to explain the sometimes subtle differences in the most common types of sand we can buy and which jobs they best suit.

The Main Types Of Sand Used In Construction Today

Sharp Sand – Also known as coarse sand or grit. This is like the sand you get at the beach, as it is stoney and relatively dry to the touch. Most commonly used in paving and as part of the sand used to make ballast.

Building Sand/Soft Sand: This is the sand that is generally used for bricklaying for its outstanding binding properties. It is finer than sharp sand and usually comes in a yellow to orange colour, although reds are also popular.

Ballast: The sand used to make concrete and masonry work. It is a mixture of sharp sand and stones ranging from 10mm to 35mm in size, giving it a strong texture when mixed with cement and water.

Plastering/Rendering Sand – A much finer version of building sand as it has been refined to remove the larger particles to give a finer, smoother finish on application.

Washed Sand/Kiln Dried Sand: This is the most refined sand of them all, as the “washed” part indicates that the lime and clay have been removed from it, thus creating an ultra-dry sand perfect for driveways and playground sandboxes alike.

When Was Sand First Used In Construction

Sand has been used in construction for thousands of years. Ancient civilisations, such as the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, utilised sand to create mud bricks that dried in the sun. These bricks were used to construct homes, temples, and other structures.

As time progressed, sand continued to be a valuable resource in construction. In medieval Europe, mixing sand with lime and water to create mortar for building stone structures like castles and cathedrals. The sand was also used as a base material for roads and pathways.

Which Sand Is The Most Common In Building Works

Whilst there are numerous types of sand and each one has many uses, such as making concrete, mortar, and plaster. The most common type of sand used in building works is known as sharp sand or grit sand. This type of sand has a coarse texture and contains tiny particles that make it ideal for mixing with cement to create strong structures.

Sharp sand is extracted from quarries or rivers and undergoes screening to remove any impurities before being sold. It’s also commonly used for laying paving stones, and blocks because its rough texture provides excellent grip between the materials.

Another common type of sand used in the construction industry is called building sand or soft sand. Unlike sharp sand, this type of sand has finer grains, making it easier to work with when creating smoother finishes on brickwork, walls or floors.

The other sands listed such as ballast, plastering and kiln dried sand are primarily for specialist tasks and therefore are less common but still necessary in most building and large scale construction projects worldwide.

Difference Between Sharp Sand And Building Sand

Sharp sand and building sand are two types of sand used in construction. Sharp sand is coarser than building sand, with larger sand grains that make it ideal for mixing with concrete or laying paving slabs. On the other hand, building sand has finer grains and is commonly used for bricklaying and plastering.

The main difference between sharp sand and building sand lies in their particle size. Sharp sand has larger particles that give it a rough texture while building sand has smaller particles that make this fine aggregate smoother to the touch.

This makes the coarse aggregate in sharp sand more suitable for heavy-duty tasks like mixing concrete or laying block paving, while building sand is better suited for lighter applications like bricklaying and rendering walls or creating a smooth surface before painting.

How Does Sand Become Fine Building Sand

Building sand is an essential component in construction, and it’s crucial to understand how it becomes fine building sand. The process starts with the extraction of raw materials from quarries or riverbeds. These raw materials include gravel, pebbles, and larger rocks that are then crushed into smaller pieces using machinery such as crushers.

Once the raw materials have been broken down into smaller pieces, they are screened to remove any impurities, such as clay or organic matter. This screening process ensures that only high-quality sand particles make their way through to become fine building sand. The resulting material is washed thoroughly to remove any remaining contaminants.

After washing, the sand undergoes a drying process where excess moisture is removed before being graded according to size. Fine building sand has a particle size between 0.063mm and 2mm, making this sand type perfect for construction projects such as bricklaying and plastering.

Difference Between Building Sand And Plastering/Rendering Sand

Building sand and plastering/rendering sand are two types used in construction. Building sand is a moderately coarse type of sand that is commonly used for bricklaying and sometimes paving. It has larger grains than plastering/rendering sand, which makes it ideal for providing stability to structures.

On the other hand, plastering/rendering sand has finer particles than building sand and is designed explicitly for creating smooth finishes on walls during plastering or rendering work. Its smaller uniform grain shapes allow it to be easily applied onto surfaces without leaving any lumps or bumps.

One key difference between building and rendering sands lies in their composition. Building sands are usually made up of crushed rocks such as limestone or granite, while rendering sands, unlike sea sand are often sourced from natural deposits like riverbeds or quarries. The different properties in composition affects the texture, colour, and overall quality of each type of sand when used in construction projects.

Which Jobs Require Which Sands

So now we have covered a brief bit of history and composition; we hope you are fully versed in which sand is which. That said, there are definitely some sands you will need to carry out specific tasks:

Bricklaying: Building sand is needed for this job, as once mixed with cement and water creates a perfect glue for laying bricks.

Paving: Whilst most of our sands (except ballast) can be used as a base material to lay paving slabs, the most commonly used is sharp or coarse sand, as the fine stones are fantastic for bonding the patio construction to the sub-base.

Concrete footings: The one for this is ballast mixed with cement forms concrete. This is one of the most rigid materials that man can make, and the larger stones and high moisture content in the ballast give it strength.

Block Paving: Believe it or not, all block paving is laid on a bed of sharp sand that has been screened to a level. As the block paving settles on the sand, it can carry a weight of up to 8 tonnes.

Jointing: Whether it is jointing paving slabs or filling the gaps between block paving, the sand is kiln-dried sand. Mixed dry with a little cement is perfect for jointing gaps in paving slabs and is also the one used to brush between the gaps in a block paving driveway.

Plastering/Rendering – Pretty obvious this one if you are plastering walls, so if you are going to attempt to plaster your bedroom walls or render the side of your house, then plastering/rendering sand is the one for you.

In Conclusion

The array of sands available may be baffling, but their uses are very similar. If you want the best finish and style, choosing the correct sand will make all the difference to the finished product.

So whether you are embarking on a construction project, building a brick wall, a pathway or large concrete structures you now have the knowledge to make an informed decision and take forward for any do-it-yourself project in the future.