Different Sand Types

[drewks]

There seems to be a multitude of different sands available for different jobs......
is it another case of overkill or is it REALLY necessary to use different ones for seperate jobs???
I've got quite a few jobs to do over the next xxxmonths - rendering, laying some blocks, flooring (sand to be laid between the hardcore & dp membrane prior to the concrete)....... I'm tempted to get a ton of 'builders sand' - would I regret this??

...I'd be grateful for any opinions on this one!

 

[WabbitPoo]

There seems to be a multitude of different sands available for different jobs......
is it another case of overkill or is it REALLY necessary to use different ones for seperate jobs???
I've got quite a few jobs to do over the next xxxmonths - rendering, laying some blocks, flooring (sand to be laid between the hardcore & dp membrane prior to the concrete)....... I'm tempted to get a ton of 'builders sand' - would I regret this??

...I'd be grateful for any opinions on this one!

I'm no builder but the different sands DO have their uses. For bricklaying, for example, you need builder's sand; for laying drive blocks or for screed beds you should use sharp sand. I think plastering sand is used for rendering (but don't quote me on that!), and so on. A bulk bag of sand is much cheaper than the equivalent number of small bags - you'll have to work out how much of each you'll need to decide on the most economic way of buying it.

 

[drewks]

Thanks for the answer - I'm wondering whether there is a REALLY APPRECIABLE difference in any of the sands tho - ie whether there is one that COULD be classed as an all-rounder, or one that you definately shouldn't use for a particular job??
...or is it a bit like having 75 different types of baked beans to choose from the shelf!!

 

[dougalhouse]

No they are very different for differing reasons.

Get the right sand for the job in hand is my advice!

 

[WabbitPoo]

Thanks for the answer - I'm wondering whether there is a REALLY APPRECIABLE difference in any of the sands tho - ie whether there is one that COULD be classed as an all-rounder, or one that you definately shouldn't use for a particular job??
...or is it a bit like having 75 different types of baked beans to choose from the shelf!!

Another point, the cost of sand for a given job is pretty small in the scheme of things. OK so you might save a few £££ here and there but you'd be forever battling to do a decent job by using the wrong materials.

Having a bulk bag of sand in the garden for a long time is a bit of a pain. If you do so, make sure you cover it with plastic sheeting to keep it dryish and to keep cats, children and leaves out.

 

[DrewBD00]

I think they must have used sharp sand for the rendering in my house when it was built (late 50's). Whenever I drill into the wall, I always seem to hit a stone which deflects the drill bit and makes the hole bigger than I want.

Therefore DON'T use sharp sand for rendering!

 

[cookoid_0]

Plastering sand should conform to BS somat which I believe relates to clay contamination which can weaken render layers.