Sand is often described as sharp or soft, fine or coarse. But what do these terms mean?
Sharp and soft refers to the shape of the grains (regardless of size). Sharp sand – also known as grit sand – typically has an angular or subangular grain. Soft sand, on the other hand, has a more rounded grain.

Fine and coarse are both used to describe the size of the grain (irrespective of shape). Coarse sand normally has a larger grain size than fine sand.

Sand is made from rocks that have been broken up and eroded over time. They are ground down further to form smaller particles. All sand is comprised of silica – a naturally occurring material that’s found in the earth’s crust. However, other materials can be found in it – including Quartz, clay particles and iron (hence the colour).

Coarse sand is concrete sand that is washed and screened to a larger grit than masonry sand. Often, the grain particles are quite sharp and angular in shape.

This is something that we get asked a lot, here at Grundy & Co Excavations Ltd – and the simple answer is it depends on your project.

To calculate how much coarse sand you need, the first step is to establish the volume of the sand required. Determine the length and width of the cuboidal excavation and calculate the area by multiplying the length by the width. After this, work out the depth of the excavation and multiple this by the area to obtain the volume.

Alternatively, if the area is round or an irregular shape, you could make it easier for yourself and use an online sand calculator to figure out how much coarse sand you need.

If you would like to know more about our coarse sand or aren’t too sure how much you need, please feel free to get in touch. Either call 0151 257 8816 or email sales@grundyandco.com, and we’ll get back to you.

Coarse sand is an aggregate that’s crushed and then washed to ensure that there are no large, sharp pieces of rock left in it.

It is typically used as the key ingredient in cement or hot asphalt for roads but is also great for general landscaping use – particularly in areas that are susceptible to water.

Coarse sand can be used on its own as a base layer for flagging, paving and artificial grass. It’s the perfect levelling sand for floor screeds, above ground pools, patios and walkways too.

If you’re unsure whether you should use coarse washed sand, get in touch with Grundy & Co on 0151 257 8816. We’ll be more than happy to discuss your project requirements in detail and inform you as to whether this recycled aggregate is right for you.

From our yard in Widnes, Grundy & Co has been delivering coarse sand and various other recycled aggregates for more than 40 years.

Though we mostly deliver our products to clients in Merseyside – including those on our doorstep in Widnes, St Helens, Speke and Liverpool – we also cover areas in Cheshire, such as:

• Warrington
• Runcorn
• Chester
• The Wirral

If you’d like to know whether we can deliver coarse washed sand in bulk for your project, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will gladly advise you and offer a bespoke quote for your requirements.

Alternatively, check out our latest news to find out more about the projects we have worked on in Merseyside over the years.

It’s difficult to put a price on coarse sand as it often depends on the amount you need and the distance our fleet has to travel to get to your site.

However, coarse washed sand is much less expensive to produce than raw materials – allowing you to save money on construction materials. And opting for recycled aggregates from a local company can significantly reduce the cost of transporting them!

At Grundy & Co, we provide coarse sand in bulk to customers in Widnes and surrounding areas in Merseyside and Cheshire and pride ourselves on offering some of the most competitive prices per tonne.

For a better idea of how much coarse sand will cost you, give us a call on 0151 257 8816. After finding out a little bit about your project requirements, we’ll be able to offer a fair estimate.