Building Sand
Also known as soft sand, building sand is a widely used material in construction due to its multi-functional properties. Primarily used in bricklaying, sand can be used for other applications such as pointing, rendering and bedding pond liners. At Farwell’s, our high-quality building sand meets the requirements of construction industry projects, is odour-free and easy to use.
Supplying high-quality building Sand Across Hampshire & Dorset
We do have a minimum order for delivery, but you can also collect aggregate. For more details on our minimum order quantities, please contact the office.
Tipper or Grab Lorries
Collection or Delivery
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Please complete our contact form or call the office on 01590 682 527 to get a quote on any of our aggregate supplies.
What is building sand?
After air and water, sand is our most consumed natural resource and is the most widely used aggregate. In fact, we use 50 billion tons of sand each year for building purposes!
There are many different types of sand, identifiable by the size of their grains and the way in which they’ve been washed.
Building Sand (also known as Plasterer’s, Mason, or Bricklayer’s sand), is easily distinguishable thanks to its finer grade and small, even particles. Often mixed with water and cement to make mortar, it is flexible to work with and smooth in application. This makes builders sand great for bricklaying and plaster rendering projects.
What is building sand used for?
Builders sand is generally used to provide bulk and strength to construction materials like asphalt and concrete. As building sand is so soft, it is suitable for bricklaying, pointing applications, plastering and general building usage.
Why choose Farwell’s?
At Farwell’s, we’ve been proudly supplying high-quality building materials and construction aggregates to customers across Hampshire and Dorset since 1952. As a family-run business rooted in the local community, we’re trusted by tradespeople, builders, and homeowners alike for our dependable service and competitive prices.
Our building sand is carefully sourced and quality-checked to meet the demands of a wide range of construction projects, from bricklaying and rendering to general landscaping and groundwork. Whether you’re collecting or arranging a bulk delivery, our team is here to make the process straightforward and hassle-free. And with both tipper and grab lorries available, we can offer flexible delivery options to suit projects of all sizes.
With our long-standing experience in aggregates and building materials, you can count on Farwell’s to deliver quality, reliability, and value every time.
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What type of sand do I need for bricklaying?
For most bricklaying jobs, building sand is the best option. Its fine particles and smooth consistency make it ideal for mixing with cement to form mortar, making brickwork neat and secure. It is easy to work with and apply, and is less prone to cracking.
Where does building sand come from?
The sand that we use is what you might call ‘marine sand’. It’s the sand we see at the bottom of the riverbeds, making up our beaches and lying across lake and ocean floors.
Builders sand is made up of small particles of decomposed rock (silica quartz), coral, minerals, and shells and has been carefully crafted for over 25 thousand years. Of course, the exact composition will vary depending on local rock sources and conditions during the formation of the pebbles.
The result, to the end user, however, is soft, angular sand that interlocks perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle. So, the next time you visit the beach, it is well worth pondering the journey on which the sand beneath your feet has travelled!
How much building sand do you need?
Per 1000 bricks
There are many mathematical equations you can use to work out how much building sand is required for your construction project, but on average, you’ll need 0.6 cubic metres of sand (1 tonne) + 6 – 8 bags of cement (depending on the mix strength required) to lay 1000 bricks.
It is always best to use a sand calculator (many of which can be found online), although the results will only be as good as the measurements entered.
Per square metre
As a rough guide, you need 60 bricks for each square metre of single skin wall, but this is dependent on the strength of the mixture and whether you are allowing for perforations or holes. We recommend buying 5% more sand than estimated so that you do not run short of what you need to complete your project.
Differences between plastering sand and building sand
In order to make plastering sand, all the particles are cleaned and washed to take out the salt, silt and clay content.
Most people prefer to use plastering sand over builders sand for rendering as there is less shrinkage and cracking once it has dried.
Differences between sharp sand and building sand
Also known as ‘grit sand’ or ‘concrete sand’, sharp sand is coarser than builders sand thanks to its larger particles.
Having a larger grain size means sharp sand is slightly heavier, giving the mortar more strength yet making it less flexible to work with.
Most people use sharp sand over builders sand for floor screeds, fine concrete work and laying paving courses. In addition, sharp sand can also be used as a top dressing for lawns, as it provides good drainage.
How much is Farwell’s building sand?
For construction purposes, our builders’ sand is generally sold by the tonne. Whilst we do have a minimum order for delivery, you are more than welcome to pop along to our premises and collect the aggregate for yourself. For more details on our minimum order quantities, please contact Farwell’s office.