Bedding Sand

28 Jan Bedding Sand

Uses of Bedding Sand

Bedding sand is a coarse grade of construction sand with many practical applications for use. As with gravel, sand particles can be sorted by a variety of sizes and shapes which can provide for a range of functional uses. Bedding sand contains no fine particles – known as “fines” – which tend to pack tightly and do not allow water to drain efficiently through the sand. During the process of sorting and grading sand, the fines are washed out of bedding sand and are added to other sand blends for masonry, sandbox or landscaping use.

The primary use of bedding sand is to lay a bed for concrete or stone landscaping pavers, but bulk bedding sand is useful for many things, including:

• Drainage for playground surfaces or work sites
• Foundation bed for landscaping pavers
• Soil amendment to increase drainage in clay soils
• Backfill material for construction needs
• Traction on wet or icy surfaces
• Livestock or poultry yards to reduce mud

Versatile Aggregates

Because bedding sand contains large, coarse grains in similar sizes, the edges of bedding sand grind together and create a firm surface while still allowing for the drainage of water. Other types of sand such as masonry sand or all-purpose sandbox sand contain fines and rounded particles which tend to shift and slip. If masonry sand is used in place of bedding sand, rainwater will mix with the sand to create a slurry, allowing it to erode and wash away. This creates an uneven surface which will cause the pavers to shift and slip out of alignment.

Paving Stone Foundation

Bedding sand is often used as a layer on top of a gravel bed, with landscaping stones or pavers firmly set into the surface. The layers of gravel and bedding sand provide a solid surface that can drain rainwater, allowing sidewalks, pathways and landscaping to be free of puddles or the potential of ice in freezing conditions. A compactor should be used for optimum outcomes, with the sand packed tight to create a firm, level surface.

Erosion Protection

To prevent the unsupported edges of the sand bed from eroding, high-quality edge restraints should be used. Edge restraints are typically made of PVC, although wood, metal and poured concrete can also be used. Edge restraints provide structure for the bedding sand in the following ways:

• Allows for a firm, packed sand bed to the outside perimeter of the landscaped area
• Holds bedding sand in place underneath the pavers
• Prevents uneven shifting of the pavers
• Can be used to create straight or curved paths for pavers

The thickness of the layer of bedding sand can have an impact on the permanent installation of the pavers as well. A bed that is too thick will not have the required stability and may cause your landscaping pavers to sink unevenly. A typical bed is approximately one inch of bedding sand over a layer of crushed gravel. Same Day Aggregates can assist you to determine the amount of bedding sand you’ll need for your project.

Same Day Aggregates provides the Baltimore and Washington, DC, area with same-day bedding sand delivery. We can deliver bulk bedding sand to your site in bulk; please call today to discuss your bedding sand and bulk aggregate needs.