Answering 6 Common FAQs About Construction Sand

Construction sand can be used for all kinds of important projects. Whether it’s for commercial landscaping uses or industrial cleanup projects, this material is very popular. 

Hopefully this information will help you better understand how sand is used throughout the construction industry — here are some frequently asked questions pertaining to construction utility sand: 

• Where does construction sand come from? — Sand and gravel deposits typically come from river flood plains, river channels, and glacial deposits. Every state in the country can produce both sand and gravel (over a billion tons produced each year, in fact).
  
  
• What are the various sizes of sand? — Sand has multiple grain sizes. Beach sand typically comes in very fine grains and can be implemented for playground use, as well as golf course bunkers, sandboxes, and volleyball courts.
  
  
• Can I use sea sand for construction projects? — Since beach sand does not have high compressive strength and high tensile strength, it typically isn’t used during construction projects. Keep in mind, however, the salt in beach sand can absorb moisture from atmosphere, which leads to a dampened material, allowing the washed out sand to be utilized for concrete work.
  
  
• What can be made from sand? — There are plenty of ways sand can be altered for various construction and other uses. Glass is actually made from liquid sand by heating ordinary sand material until it completely liquefies. That won’t happen on a typical beach, though, as sand needs temperatures of approximately 3,090 degrees Fahrenheit to melt.
  
  
• Can topsoil be used as sand? — In some instances, yes, since there are three types of topsoil, including loam, clay, and sand itself. Loam, which is a fertile topsoil, is a combination of sand and clay.
  
  
• What are some of the other types of sand? — There is pit sand, which is a course material that it primarily used in concreting; river sand that works great for plastering and other construction tasks; and crushed stone, which is manufactured by crushing granite or basalt rock.

If you want to learn more about the various uses of construction sand, or work with quality crushed gravel and concrete hauling services, give Builders Sand and Gravel a call today!