Types of Landscape Sand

Sand is an abundant naturally-occurring material used for various applications across a multitude of industries, from being using to shape golf courses in landscaping projects to being the main component for making concrete, an essential construction material. Different types of sand are defined by their distinct composition, grain sizes and the way they have been washed. To choose the most appropriate type of sand for your landscape project, it is important to understand the different types of sands available. Sharp sand. Also known as grit sand or river sand, sharp sand is a gritty sand used in potting soil mixes, concrete and for various building projects. This type of sand provides good drainage. When sharp sand features medium or coarse grain, it can also be called builders sand. Building sand. Building sand is most commonly used in bricklaying but can also be used for pointing, rendering and more. Building sand features fine and smooth grains that are ideal for creating a smooth easily worked product. This type of sand consists of fine rounded particles with a clay content of 10% or higher. Silica sand. Sometimes referred to as industrial sand or quartz sand, silica sand is a popular type of sand in equestrian settings. This sand is used to create equestrian surfaces plus, can also be used to create various construction materials, such as concrete and mortar. At Mainland Aggregates, we stock economy silica sand and premium silica sand. Economy silica sand has rounded grains which are more prone to hold onto water during the colder, making it ideal for free-draining areas. Premium silica sand features fine, sub-angular grains that promote effective drainage and improved compaction. Related: What is Silica Sand? Fill sand. Fill sand is also commonly known as cable sand. This unwashed and unscreened sand it used as a bedding layer when using geotextile membranes, as a binding layer before pouring concrete or can also be used for trench backfill. Bunker sand. Bunker sand, such as premium bunker sand, is ideal for golf courses. This off-white sand is perfect to fill golf course bunkers in order to ensure shots out of the bunker are as easy as possible. Our golf sand is specially washer and graded. Cattle sand. Also known as cubicle sand, cattle sand is a fine washed sand suitable for cattle bedding. This material will reduce the incidence of Clinical Mastitis and will reduce the chances of bacterial growth. This bedding will allow cattle to keep cool during the warm days of summer and warm in the winter. Whether you are looking for “sharp sand near me” or need further advice choosing the right type of sand for your application, feel free to contact our experts. We can be easily reached on mobile at 01234 831 108 or by email at info@mainlandaggregates.co.uk.