When it comes to building and landscaping, choosing the right type of aggregate can make all the difference. But what’s the deal with sharp sand and soft sand? Are they really that different? Let’s break it down and see how these two types of sand stack up against each other.

What is Sharp Sand Used For?

Sharp sand, also known as coarse sand or grit sand, is mainly used for construction purposes. It has a gritty texture and larger particles. It is used for projects that require strength and durability due to its larger particle size. As the name suggests, sharp sand possess more angular grains allowing it to bond together more efficiently than finer grains of sand. It also has drainage properties that help water move through quickly, making it great for pathways and even for laying pavers.

Its main uses include:

• Making concrete
• Improve drainage
• Bedding mortar for installation
• Top dressing for soil
• Screeding and external rendering
• Bedding block for paving
• Root cutting in compost

What Are the Benefits?

Sharp sand offers several benefits:

Strength: Its coarse nature gives structures a solid foundation. If you want a robust and sturdy construction, sharp sand serves the perfect purpose.

Drainage: The large particles allow water to flow through easily, reducing the risk of puddles.

Versatility: Whether you’re laying bricks or making concrete, sharp sand fits right in.

What is Soft Sand Used For?

Otherwise known as building sand, this type of sand is a soft granular material also used in construction. Its composition varies based on the source, with river sand being rockier and sea sand often containing fine shells and coral particles. The sand’s colour comes from its mineral content; typically, it ranges from light grey to white due to silica quartz, but can also appear yellow or red from iron minerals and feldspar. This type of sand is commonly used in projects like plastering and bricklaying. It’s not as strong as sharp sand, but its fine texture makes it excellent for filling in gaps and creating a smooth finish. Some of its uses include:

• Rendering
• Pointing
• Bedding pond liners
• Creating mortars for brick layering
• Plastering

What Are the Benefits?

Soft sand has its own set of advantages:

Smooth Finish: Its fine texture makes it perfect for applications where you want a clean, smooth surface.

Workability: It’s easier to mix and spread, making it a favourite among builders who require precision.

Flexibility: From plastering walls to making mortar, this sand can be used in a variety of building tasks.

What is the Difference Between Soft Sand and Sharp Sand?

One of the main differences between sharp and soft sand is the texture and size of the particles. Sharp sand is coarser and has larger grains, whereas soft sand is much softer and possesses smaller grains. Sharp sand is also ideal for projects where concrete is required as when mixed with water, it forms durable concrete and can be used for a variety of applications such as laying patios and driveways. With regard to soft sand, it forms smoother mortars when mixed with water, which are ideal for bricklaying and more delicate operations such as pointing.

To sum up, if you need to undergo a heavy-duty construction project where strength is key, then the properties of sharp sand will be ideal. For more internal works such as plastering where neater finishes matters most, then soft sand is perfect!

Are you looking for high-quality aggregates for your next project? Ely Skip Hire provide reliable soft and sharp sand in smaller to larger quantities. Buy yours today!

Road planings also known as road scalpings are produced when the surface layer of the tarmac is removed by a cold milling machine. It removes asphalt from the surface, then this gets recycled. Furthermore, they are considered a more environmentally friendly option due to bitumen being a natural substance.

So, What Can Road Planings Be Used For?

There are a variety of uses for road planings, they are a very versatile and useful substance.

1. Landscaping and Pathways

Road planings is a useful material for landscaping. They can be used as a base material for garden beds or even as a mulch substitute. They are also particularly effective at preventing weeds and giving your garden a more clean aesthetic. Their unwavering versatility produces a number of ways you can use them for your garden. They are an affordable option for creating a garden path to create a rustic and polished finish.

2. Hauling Roads

As well as enhancing your garden space, road planings can also provide effective hauling roads. It provides a stable and durable surface which enables it to withstand heavy and frequent use. This approach does not only reduce the need for other aggregate resources but also, reduces waste as it
gives new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded.

3. Erosion Control

Road planings can also be used for erosion control measures. This works by placing them in areas that are at risk of erosion, such as slopes, as they help to stabilise the soil. This works well as it is considered less costly than other erosion control applications as it reduces the use of non-recycled materials. Furthermore, the fact that road planings help in stabilising soil in more vulnerable areas, make it effective at preventing erosion.

4. Constructing Rural Roads

They are also an excellent choice for the construction and maintenance of agricultural roads. They are straightforward to install and can withstand various weather conditions. Rural roads need to be able to cope with the frequent and heavy use of agricultural machinery and vehicles, furthermore, this low-cost option provides bumpier roads with the resilience and strength they need.

5. Use Them for Building Projects

Road planings can serve as a solid base for various structures. Whether it’s a shed, a gazebo, or even a fire pit area, they provide a strong foundation. Imagine your outdoor space transforming into a cosy retreat, all thanks to a robust layer of road planings. They are also effective at creating temporary roadways and paths as they attain properties, allowing them to execute quick deployment and reusability.

6. Building a Strong Driveway

Wondering how to spruce up your driveway? Road planings can be a perfect choice. They’re tough, durable, and can handle the weight of vehicles. Simply spread a layer of planings and compact them for a solid surface. Plus, it’s a cost-effective alternative to traditional paving materials. Every time you drive over that driveway, you’ll appreciate the strength beneath your tyres.

What Are the Benefits of Road Planings?

• Cost Effective: As mentioned previously, road planings are an attractive alternative to other non-recyclable aggregates such as asphalt and concrete.
• Durability: They are incredibly durable and can withstand harsh conditions and frequent usage, ensuring year-round access.
• Ease of Installation: Road planings provide a simple way for construction, maintenance and other DIY project purposes. They are also easy to maintain and can be re-compacted if need be.
• Aesthetic Appeal: As well as increased functionality, road planings also uphold a natural and clean look, making it easier to blend with landscapes.

Where Can I Get Road Planings From?

You can purchase road planings from online sites or aggregate stores. Before purchasing or collecting road planings, it’s important to ensure that the material is suitable for your intended use, and they are of the highest quality. Here at Ely Skip Hire, we offer reliable aggregate supplies for a wide variety of applications. We supply any amount up to 20 tons!

Shop our road planings today.

Aggregate is an attractive and affordable material to upgrade your garden or driveway. With many online guides being written for civil engineers, we’re making this popular material easier to understand for people diving into some DIY projects. Whether you’re building an extension or enhancing your facade, if you want to know what options are available for your home improvement projects, you’re in the right place.

What Are Aggregates?

Aggregates is an umbrella term for natural materials that can be used to surface driveways or decorate garden spaces, such as flower beds, walkways and potted plants. Think sand, gravel and crushed stone. When mixed with cement, they are also key components of concrete and asphalt – popular garden patio and driveway materials.

Main Types Of Aggregates

Below, we’re looking at aggregates in their gravel or sand form, their various uses and including the benefits of each type to help you make the right choice for your project. For jargon-free advice on picking the right aggregates for your domestic renovation, look no further.

Pea Shingle

Pea shingle is a versatile aggregate offering both decorative and functional uses. It can be used to cover soil on potted plants, as a garden border or pathway, or even as bedding for drainage systems. It’s a low maintenance, attractive choice composed of small, rounded stones that are typically grey or brown.

Limestone

Made exclusively of calcium carbonate, limestone was used to build some of Britain’s most beautiful buildings, including the golden houses of Georgian Bath and the traditional stone walls of the Yorkshire Dales. There are many benefits to choosing limestone. Firstly, it’s an affordable aggregate, especially when purchasing bulk quantities, and makes an attractive choice for a garden border, pathway, driveway or concrete mix. It also has good drainage qualities.

Granite Type 1

Composed of small, angular pieces of stone, granite type 1 is most commonly found on driveways and walkways. One of the reasons it’s so popular is due to its fantastic levels of drainage, meaning that when it rains (as it does a lot in Britain), you won’t have to worry about the water collecting too much on the surface. It’s also good at preventing weeds from growing.

Choosing The Right Aggregates For Your Project

Where an aggregate is sourced and how it is processed will impact its quality. The pieces should look consistent. Make sure the particles are clean and dry, especially if you’re intending to use them in a cement mix.

Order Your Aggregates

Ely Skip Hire has been a family run business since 1985, and we have developed a strong reputation for delivering aggregates of consistently high quality to our customers. Not sure which aggregate you need? Speak to our expert team for guidance.

When it comes to exterior décor, the focus is usually on strength and durability. Whether you are looking for materials to enhance your terrace, poolside, or driveway; they need to be extremely hard wearing and able to stand up to the pressures of the elements.

It is why limestone is such a popular choice with homeowners, particularly on driveways and around the front of houses. High-quality limestone in St Ives is easy to source, and it provides several important benefits. It can be trusted for use in driveways because it is a staple material for residential and commercial areas.

Keep reading for more reasons why shopping for limestone in Cambridge is the first step towards a beautiful, long-lasting driveway.

Affordable

Limestone is surprisingly cheap to buy, especially in bulk quantities. There are some excellent suppliers of limestone in Ely and most even arrange for delivery as part of the purchase. If you are renovating or building a high traffic area, like a driveway, it is an ideal choice. Over time, wear is inevitable, but when you finally do have to replace sections, the cost will be minimal.

Hard Wearing

If it is durability that you are looking for, there’s no better material. Limestone is heavy duty, built to last, and won’t let you down. It is a really good idea to invest in a tougher material for a driveway because it is not a regular pavement. You are going to be moving the weight of an entire car over its surface, so make sure that your driveway is up to the task.

Multiple Colours

Most people are not aware that limestone comes in a broad range of colours. It can be enhanced with various finishes too, so the final aesthetic is whatever you want it to be. It is a surprisingly customisable material, and you do not have to settle for a look that you are not satisfied with using. Get in touch with a reliable vendor of limestone in Cambridge, because they will be able to tell you more about the styles available.

Easy to Maintain

As limestone can be cut and shaped rather easily, cracks and chips in a driveway are easy to fix. Unlike other materials, repairs do not require a full removal and replacement. The damaged section can be extracted and patched up with a new piece. It is an economical choice and one which suits residential use.

Energy Efficient

During the summer, even when temperatures are high, limestone stays cool underfoot. It is, therefore, a safe choice for homes with pets and young children. You never have to worry about stepping onto the driveway in bare feet, no matter how hot the afternoon.

Versatile

It is not just the colour and finish of limestone which is variable. The texture is versatile too. Limestone pavers can be bought in grey, white, light, dark, creamy, buff, and gold finishes. Most come with a honed surface, but there are some types which undergo thermal treatments so they can have unique surface textures. Once again, if you want a less common style or design, it is best to chat with a local provider about the available options.

For more information and advice on how to source high-quality aggregates like limestone in St Ives, visit Ely Skip Hire. Or, call 01353 649770 to request a cost estimate for your build or project.

You could be forgiven for thinking that railroad tracks are quite a simple device. They certainly look simple. There is a lot of gravel on the ground and the horizontal ties are placed across it, with the metal tracks on top. Voila, you have a railway. Yet, is it really that straightforward? Well, the truth is a little more complex and construction teams need just the right materials to make a railroad work safely.

One of the most important materials is ballast aggregate. This is the gravel that forms the secure, sturdy foundation for the track itself. High quality ballast in Cambridge is sought after by construction crews, because it is a unique product. It is great for drainage, raising, and grounding due to its controlled density. In fact, without aggregate ballast, the railroads, as they exist now, would not be operational, so it is a vital aspect of construction design.

Keep reading to find out why ballast is such an important part of reliable railroad construction.

Grounding

The upper surface of the railroad bed is all that most people ever see, but it actually extends much further than this. It stretches several inches into the ground and then the dugout bed is filled with heavy ballast. It serves to hold the entire track down and anchor it into the ground, so that none of the components can jump or move around. This is very important for the safety of the trains that travel on the track.

Raising

As a railroad is being built, track ballast is used to fill the empty space opened up for the track bed. However, once the empty hole has been filled, the construction teams keep pouring until the ballast material has actively raised the track above ground level. The extra height is needed for drainage purposes and it makes sure that the ballast doesn’t wear or wash away too easily after the track is opened for use.

Drainage

Speaking of drainage; the slightly raised ballast material is really effective at encouraging groundwater to move downhill, away from the tracks. With high quality aggregate in Cambridge, efficient drainage is guaranteed. The individual stones are all different sizes and they don’t fit together seamlessly. This means that water can travel between them and dissipate safely, without the risk of flooding.

Fewer Weeds/Vegetation

As long expanses of railroad track run through rural spaces, with few houses and settlements, regular, targeted maintenance is not really an option. Fortunately, aggregate ballast is loose enough to allow for good drainage, but tight enough to prevent weeds from creeping in. This means that maintenance crews don’t have to spend all of their time tirelessly clearing long stretches of the track.

Makes Maintenance Easy

For all of the reasons discussed, ballast is a great choice for railroad construction. It keeps tracks sturdy, safe, and secure. It delays the proliferation of weeds and creeping vegetation. It ensures that groundwater doesn’t turn into flooding. Plus, it is easy to source and it can be bought, in large quantities, at affordable rates. Ballast is the aggregate of choice for all kinds of different construction needs, not just the railroads.

To find out more about the benefits and uses of ballast, contact our aggregates suppliers or call 01353 649770 to speak to a representative and request a cost estimate for your next construction project.