Which sand do I need? Bedding, coarse, loam and specialty sands

Quick match: job to sand

Fine or sharp?

Fine sands, like bedding sand and brickies loam, pack smoothly and bind well, so they suit paver beds, plastering and mortar. Coarse sand has sharper, larger grains that lock together with cement for strong concrete and grout, and help heavy clay soils drain.

Sand for pavers

Screed about 30mm of bedding sand over a compacted base, lay the pavers, then sweep fine sand into the joints. Our paving guide covers the full process.

Specialty sands

Electrical, AES and bio media sands are made for specific systems. If your engineer, electrician or septic installer has given you a specification, send it through with your quote request so we can match it.

Common questions

How much sand to order

Under pavers, bedding sand is usually screeded 20–30mm deep, so 10 m² of paving needs roughly 0.2–0.3 m³. For mortar and concrete, the amount depends on the mix your bricklayer or concreter uses, so ask them for a quantity. Our volume calculator handles area-based jobs.

Storing sand on site

Tip sand on a flat, firm spot away from gutters and stormwater drains, and cover it with a tarp if rain is forecast. Uncovered sand can wash into drains, which councils take seriously, and wet sand is heavier and harder to work. Keeping it covered also stops leaves and soil getting mixed in.

Specialty sands need a specification

Some sands are chosen to meet a design rather than by look or feel. Sand for septic and on-site wastewater systems, cable and pipe bedding, and pool filters should match what your designer, electrician or installer has specified. If you have a specification sheet, send it with your quote request and we will match the product to it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using fine bedding sand in concrete. It needs a coarser sand or a premixed concrete blend.
• Bedding pavers on brickies loam, which holds water and can stay soft.
• Ordering by weight when the job is measured in area and depth.