No matter if you are pouring a concrete slab, erecting a brick wall, leveling your driveway, or finishing a landscaping task, there is something you need to know about construction projects in Perth. The importance of the right choice of sand cannot be overstated and the use of the wrong type of sand might result in your wall becoming shaky and your mortar falling apart.
However, Perth's special soil composition, climate, and different needs of constructions call for a more differentiated approach. In this guide prepared by Formula Transport, Perth's reliable supplier of bulk sand and roadbase, you will learn all you need to know to make the right decision.
Why Is Choosing the Right Sand So Important?
However, sand isn't just a space-filler. It is used as an agent binding together materials, it creates drainage between paving and it can be used as an equalizing layer between retaining walls, and it provides foundation for both footpaths and driveways. Size, shape, level of clays and salts contained within a particle of sand will directly impact workability, durability, and appearance of what you're doing, or constructing, or repairing or building, or laying, or painting, or screeding, or rendering etc.
For what this sand can do, you will more than understand why in sand rich perth, with the associated salt degradation which can weaken materials over time, you must choose and use construction sand from a trusted supply of local materials.
Failures will ensue and costs will go up, and your work, no matter how careful, will probably fail later down the line.
What Types of Sand Are Available in Perth and What Are Their Ideal Uses?
Here are the different construction sands which are mostly used in Perth and their ideal usages.
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Brickies Sand - Mortar & Bricklaying
Brickies sand or bricklaying sand or plasterers sand, in some cases, is an exceptionally fine and cohesive sand having more clay content compared to other sands available in the construction industry. It is due to the presence of the clay in the mixture of the sand that makes the mortar flexible and allows it to adhere to the bricks, blocks and pavers.
Brickies sand suitable for:
- Bricklaying & blockwork
- Retaining walls
- Plastering & rendering
- Footings and masonry works
Formula Transport ensures that you have access to the best quality Brickies Sand and Brickies White Sand in Perth. The latter is perfect for people working with light colored bricks and don’t want to stain their project.
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Fill Sand – Used for Earthwork & Bulk Filling
Coarse sand used for fill refers to the sand that can basically be used for filling up the gaps on site and the leveling of the same and also for making sub-bases. Fill sand is not suitable for concrete and mortar, but you can use it if you need a great deal of sand to raise or level the site.
Used for:
- Filling of trenches/excavations
- Leveling or landfill creation of sites
- Preparation of the sub-bases below the slab
- Area around pools/bulk earthworks
Fill sand is quite popular in Perth owing to the abundance of clay in the sub-soil of its suburbs.
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Paving Sand – Application For Driveway And Outdoor Surfaces
Paving Sand, otherwise known as Bedding Sand, is a washed medium or fine sand that is suitable for use as a bed underneath paving stones or bricks and paving blocks. This is because it has a consistent particle size and very little percentage of clay, enabling the sand to compact without any shrinking or expanding due to pressure applied on it.
Uses:
- Driveways/Block Paving
- Paths/Courtyards
- Garden Edges/Stepping Stones
- Paving Stones Joints
Using a thickness of 30-50mm of paving sand ensures that there is a stable and self-draining surface that does not allow any movement of the pavers. This is particularly necessary in Perth where summer seasons are characterized by hot and dry conditions.
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River Sand - for Concrete Mix and Drainage
The river sand is clean and washed. It has well-rounded grains, with minimal amount of clay and silt content. It provides good draining property and workability. River sand is therefore suitable for use in making concrete and drainage.
Use recommended for:
- Concrete formation (residential as well as commercial slabs)
- Drainage beneath slab
- Base for pool plastering
- Lining of pipes and trenches
River sand is often recommended to be used as an aggregate in mixing concrete for making footings and slabs.
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Plasterer’s Sand – For Renders and Interior Plasters
Plasterers Sand is very fine sands that have been specially prepared for plastering, rendering, and finishing purposes. Due to their uniform composition in nature, it becomes very easy to apply and helps you get a perfect finish while applying on walls whether interior or exterior.
Useful for:
- Interior wall plastering
- Exterior rendering
- Texture coating
- Patching compound preparation
What Should You Consider Before Buying Construction Sand in Perth?
Apart from the kind of sand, there are a number of important things that should be considered prior to making your order.
Grading and Particle Size
Sand comes in different grades according to its particle size which ranges from fine grade with particles less than 0.25 mm in diameter to coarse grade having particles more than 1 mm in diameter.
Cleanliness and Salt Content
For coastal regions of Perth, some of the naturally mined sand might have high salt contents which may lead to corrosion of steel in concrete due to such content. Always ensure you purchase your sand from a registered company that analyzes salt and clay silt content.
Volume Needs
If you underestimate the amount of sand needed, you will incur extra costs as you will need to make new orders and this will delay your work. Make sure you estimate your volume well and always allow an extra margin of 10-15%. Formula Transport delivers your sand by tonnes.
Delivery Access
Consider if there will be enough space on your construction site for tipper truck delivery. Formula Transport delivers its services to both residential construction sites and big commercial areas in the Perth metropolitan region.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Buying Sand in Perth?
- Not using building sand for concrete or mortar because fill sand is not suitable for construction due to its lack of binding ability.
- Purchasing the least expensive sand without considering its clay or salt content.
- Ordering sand from suppliers who are not familiar with the soil and climatic conditions in Perth.
- Miscalculating quantities, which may result in shortages in the middle of the project and uneven coloring of mortar.
- Failing to consider drainage needs and using inappropriate sand under pavings resulting in cracks.
Why Perth Builders & Contractors Choose Formula Transport?
Formula Transport has provided builders with high-quality sand, gravel, road base and aggregate for building sites in Perth for more than two decades. Headquartered in Malaga, our company provides deliveries of sand, gravel, and other aggregates, such as brickies, fill, cracker dust and ferricrete, to both residential and commercial locations in Perth.
Reasons to choose Formula Transport:
- Huge variety of construction sands including brickies, fill, paving, river and plasterers sand
- Excellent pricing and ordering options both for residential and commercial construction sites
- On time deliveries made with up-to-date tipper truck fleet
- Benefits from experienced operators knowledgeable about construction industry in Perth
- Excellent customer service, your call is always returned
Conclusion
There is no room for luck when choosing the sand needed for your building in Perth. With different types of sand available, each serving its own purpose, making an error in your selection could mean ruining the entire project. This is where you need Formula Transport. We will make sure you get the appropriate type in the correct quantity straight to your doorstep.
FAQs
Q1. Which is the most suitable sand for brick laying in Perth?
The Brickies sand is the ideal sand for brick laying in Perth because of its fine grain structure and slightly clayey texture that guarantees good workability and mortar adhesion.
Q2. Am I able to use the fill sand for concrete mix?
It is not advisable to use fill sand for concrete mixing because fill sand does not have the right particle size and cleanliness for this type of application. The river sand or the washed coarse sand is preferable to be used in concrete mix.
Q3. How much sand will I need for my paving job?
For paving, you must provide a bedding of paving sand of 30 to 50 mm. You will need to multiply the area (m2) times depth (m) in order to obtain cubic metres. Formula Transport can assist you with the tonnage calculation.
Q4. Does Formula Transport deliver sand to all suburbs of Perth?
Yes. Formula Transport offers delivery of sand, gravel and road base to all parts of Perth. Please contact us regarding our service coverage and lead time.
Q5. Can you explain the difference between brickies sand and plasterer's sand?
The difference between brickie sand and plasterer's sand lies in their textures. Brickies sand is used when a coarse texture is required for mortar and blocks. Plasterers sand is more refined and should be used for smoothing walls.
Q6. Is Perth sand suitable for construction purposes without treatment?
Most naturally occurring Perth sand may have high concentrations of salts and clays. This means that sand requires additional treatment before its use in construction.
