AGGREGATE CALCULATOR

What are Aggregates?

Aggregates are classified by their particle size, consistency, and can be divided into two main categories:

• Natural stone aggregates such as sand and gravel
• Crushed aggregates which include stone chippings and crushed stones

Aggregates are used in a variety of industries for a range of purposes, they are the primary component in the production of concrete and asphalt, but also aid as a filter and fill, or a basic material for road building and railway construction. Our aggregates are available and supplied in standardised 800kg bulk bag or 25kg poly bags.

What is Sand?

Sand is a grainy material made of finely portioned rock and mineral particles, such as silica, and is defined by size - finer than gravel but coarser than silt. Sand is a great building and landscaping material that can be used for several applications, depending on its type. Browse our variety of sand products from sharp, building, kiln-dried, and plastering sand for both external and internal building projects.

What is Sharp Sand?

Sharp sand, also known as builder’s, coarse, pit, horticultural, and grit sand, is defined by containing a greater portion of large particles in contrast to building sand. It has a gritty texture, making it ideal for mixing with concrete in construction and as part of the concrete and potting mixes in building projects.

Sharp sand is frequently used as a base underneath driveways, patios, artificial grass, or block paving - it is commonly applied to a layer of hardcore or MOT casting which is then topped with a layer of sharp sand. This is for a compacted, smooth, and levelled surface finish. Sharp sand can be used to loosen-up heavy clay soil when it is mixed with cement and gravel to make concrete. Sharp sand has an array of applications within the construction industry.

Use for:

• Concrete for Construction. Sharp sand provides more strength but less flexibility in contrast to other sand types
• Render
• Laying paving and floor screeds
• As a base for driveways, patios, block paving, and under artificial grass
• Adding sharp sand to heavy, clay-based soil can help to break down the soil, creating channels for excess water to drain through.
• Improves drainage in seed and potting compost
• Sharp Sand can be sprinkled and forked in to peat and compost for root cuttings and propagating cuttings as it can improve the soil’s overall drainage.

As an alternative to sharp sand, builders’ sand can be used however it does have a finer grain and is a finer type of sand to use.

Buildbase has a variety of Sharp Sand products for your concreting and masonry work needs - our sand products are sold as either a bulk bag of Sharp Sand (which is a minimum fill of 800KG) or poly bags (which are 25KG). If you are unsure how much sand you will require for your project, please use our Aggregate Calculator (above), selecting 'Sand' under 'Type'.

What is Building Sand?

Building sand, also known as soft sand, river sand, screeding sand, plasterer’s sand, mason sand, or bricklayer sand, is a great building material for its wide use in construction for the materials' multi-functional properties. As building sand is soft and primarily used in bricklaying, pointing, rendering, and pond bedding practices. Building sand has a slight difference from sharp sand - it is finer grade sand with smaller particles, whilst Building Sand can be a great alternative to Sharp Sand for soil drainage in landscaping and gardening projects.

Building sand is often mixed with water and cement to mix mortar for laying bricks, patio slabs or packs, and blocks. Builders use this type of sand to provide bulk and strength to construction materials like asphalt or concrete.

Use for:

• Mortar for Bricklaying
• Pointing applications
• Rendering
• Pond Bedding and pond liners
• Soil drainage applications

At Buildbase, we source our Building Sand from some of the UK’s leading suppliers, ensuring all of our Sand products are of the highest quality and variety (such as yellow building sand and soft building sand). Our sand is sold as either bulk bags (which are a minimum fill of 800KG) or poly bags (at 25KG). If you are unsure how much Sand you will require, use our aggregate calculator (above), the Aggregate Calculator can also help you to work out how much Gravel or Slate you may need for your other projects.

What is Plastering Sand?

Plastering sand, also known as washed river sand, is purposed for the use of plastering and creating renders both internally and externally. Plastering Sand is a very fine grade of sand and due to its fine particles, Plastering Sand provides a smooth and even finish to plastering projects.

Although plastering sand similar to rendering sand, rendering sand is sharper and coarser whilst plastering sand offers a better bind strength in a plastering mix. Plastering sand has finer particles than sharp sand or building sand which means it can also be used for pavement jointing (in order to fill cracks of artistic paving).

Use for:

• Plastering
• Rendering, internally and externally
• Pavement jointing

At Buildbase, we work closely with leading manufactures to ensure that you receive high-quality Sand at great competitive pricing rates. Our Plastering Sand typically comes in either bulk bags (which are a minimum fill of 800KG) or poly bags (which are a 25KG size). If you need any more assistance with this product or you cannot find the product you require, please contact your local branch for assistance. Locate your branch using our branch locator or alternatively, book an appointment with an expert. Use our Aggregate Calculator (above) to estimate how much sand you require for your project.

What is Kiln Dried Sand?

Kiln-dried sandis dry, fine, sand that contains no moisture. This is because it is dried in a kiln to remove all the water and moisture before it is ready to use. Kiln-dried sand holds extremely fine particle properties and is best designed to be brushed into the joints of paving slabs (allowing the sand to repel water and preserve the positioning of slab work). Sharp sand and building sand should not be used as an alternative to Kiln-dried sand for jointing slabs.

The qualities of Kiln-dried sand make it the most commonly used for filling the joints of block paving and paving slabs. Kiln-dried sand can fill gaps to keep rainwater from getting underneath slabs and degrading the layer beneath. Kiln-dried sand joints do need to be bone dry when kiln dried paving sand is brushed into them alongside being periodically replaced for the best results.

Use for:

• Pavement jointing
• Block Jointing
• Play-sand
• Mortar

If you cannot find the product you require or are unsure of which product to use, please contact us by your locating your local branch or book an appointment with an expert. If you are unsure how much sand you’ll require, please use our Aggregate Calculator (above).

What is Slate?

Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, metamorphic rock that is popular for a wide variety of uses, such as roofing, flooring, and flagging, for its durability and attractive appearance features. Some slate is a by-product of roof tile manufacture and can be classed as a recycled material, Slate chippings are more environmentally sound in contrast to other quarried stones.

Slate chippings are extremely popular for use in gardens and on pathways - slate chippings are flat, compact, and settle nicely underfoot. Slate chippings are ideal for decorative purposes and are often used as a mulch on borders and gardens. Slate aids to eliminate weed growth and retaining moisture in the soil during warm spells.

Use for:

• Garden Paths and ground cover
• Rockeries
• Water-feature edging and pond edging
• Mulch and ground cover
• Planting areas, patio filler, and borders

Buildbase can supply Slate in bulk bags (which are a minimum fill of 800KG). Our Slate chippings are also available in 40mm and 20mm sizes. Our attractive plum slate and green slate chippings are pastels in appearance when dry and when wet, they come to life to give a very bright and shiny contemporary look. If you are unsure how much sand you will require for your project, please use our Aggregate Calculator (above), selecting 'Slate' under 'Type'.

What is Gravel?

Gravel, also referred to as crushed stone, is a loose aggregation of rock fragments, classified by the range of fragment size classes from granule to boulder-sizing. Gravel has an angular and irregular shaped surface, compared to pebbles which are smooth stones shaped by water.

Gravel has many uses and various shades that can make it a budget-friendly and versatile paving material. Gravel can meet many landscaping, drainage, or pathway needs. Gravel can be combined with sand to manufacture concrete. Additionally, gravel can be mixed with asphalt for road construction and used as a base layer for roads.

Use for:

• Drainaige and errosion control
• Mulch substitute
• Driveways and walkways
• Patio base
• Road construction, to mix with asphalt
• Roofing shingles
• Landscaping use and garden accents

At Buildbase we offer a vast and comprehensive range of top-quality decorative aggregates, garden gravel, and stone chippings such as our popular Cotswold chippings. All our products are sourced from leading manufacturers and suppliers in the industry, to ensure premium quality gravel at competitive prices. To guarantee more variety, our gravel and shingle are also sold in 10mm and 20mm variants. Most of our gravel is available in bulk bags(which are a minimum fill of 800KG), and poly bags (which are 25KG). To ensure that you have the correct amount for your project, please use our Aggregates Calculator (above), selecting 'Gravel' under 'Type'.

What is MOT Type 1 Hardcore?

MOT Type 1 Hardcore refers to the mass of solid materials used as a make-up formation material to raise levels. Hardcore is the term used to describe solid, not easily degraded materials of low absorbency that is used to create a base layer upon which to construct the heavy load-bearing stone and concrete floors, driveways, or garage floors, and more.

Hardcore is used to fill irregularities in excavations and create a secure and level working base, into which heavy load-bearing surfaces such as stone or concrete to be laid. It is made up of large aggregates: materials such as construction waste, for example, quarry waste, crushed rock, and gravel.

MOT Type 1 Hardcore is an essential part of strong foundations for building work, our hardcore building material products present hard-wearing, supportive, and economical options designed to ensure the integrity of your surfaces. Although the materials should be essentially hard, they must be compressed before the upper layers are added, as large gaps will undermine its supportive quality. Infill your projects’ upper layers in the safe knowledge that our hardcore products will provide the necessary strength and drainage to ensure your surfaces withstand the pressures and stresses of time.

Use for:

• Bulk fill
• Levelling material
• A sub-base for paths, ponds, drives, sheds, patios, and construction jobs
• MOT Type 1 can be levelled out and used on top of weed membrane
• Highway works

If you cannot find the product you require, or are unsure of which product to use, please contact your local branch for assistance. Locate your branch using our branch locator. Or alternatively book an appointment with an expert.

What is Ballast?

Ballast, also referred to as coarse aggregate, is used for several types of building practices and is made up of sharp sand and gravel. Ballast is usually mixed with cement and water to create concrete. For roads and railway, ballast aggregates are used to resist the overall (static as well as dynamic) load.

Use for:

• Washed ballast is used to make concrete, filter drainage works, and pre-casting for concrete.
• Screened ballast is used for driveways, footpaths, binding hardcore, Oversite fill, covering sub-base, and backfill.
• To make concrete
• Landscaping practices - path edgings, shed bases, and kerbs
• Securing fence posts

Our range of high-quality sand and gravel mix building ballast products offers cost-effective solutions to a wealth of construction projects. Ballast is a mix of sand and 10mm or 20mm stone. The 20mm Ballast is exceptionally versatile and is ideal for using to make concrete for paths, bases for under garden buildings, concrete floor in extensions, or even foundations for a building.

If you cannot find the product you require, or are unsure of which product to use, please contact your local branch for assistance. Locate your branch using our branch locator. Or alternatively book an appointment with an expert

What is Limestone?

Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is formed up of other particles (that have been transported and deposited mainly by water and wind). Limestone is relatively easy to cut and carve which makes it frequently applied in construction. Limestone is an affordable, lightweight, and versatile aggregate that is permeable - ideal for maintaining natural drainage.

Limestone is used for concrete mixing and products, bedding brick paviours and slabs, horse-rising areas, floor screeds, and limestone mortar. Limestone is also used as a base course, filler, asphalt production, and ready-mixed concrete.

Use for:

• Driveways and paths
• Fireplace stone and fire pits
• Water features
• Garden beds and accents
• Building material for concrete

If you cannot find the product you require, or are unsure of which product to use, please contact your local branch for assistance. Locate your branch using our branch locator. Or alternatively book an appointment with an expert.

What is Tarmacadam?

Tarmacadam, commonly known as Tarmac, is a road surface material that is made of tar-like materials that are mixed with mineral aggregates, such as cement, sand, gravel, or concrete. Tarmac can be one of the best options for driveway projects due to tarmac’s high durability, weather resistance, and value for money.

Tarmacadam is frequently used and favoured for outdoor flooring surfaces, its fast and simple application, having tarmac laid and completed in a day. We supply a range of premium quality surfacing products suitable for a multitude of customer requirements and surfacing projects.

Sourced from leading Tarmacadam manufacturers, our products are invariable of the highest quality, tough wearing, cost-effective and the perfect solution for drives and pathways, garages, and more.

If you cannot find the product you require, or are unsure of which product to use, please contact your local branch for assistance. Locate your branch using our branch locator. Or alternatively book an appointment with an expert.

What are Loose Aggregates?

Loose aggregates can be defined as the aggregate that has been used as time passes, on a paved surface for example, start to break away with small stones present and migrating from its setting place. Loose aggregates are a by product and depending on the type of aggregate can be castoff for an array of projects and uses.

Loose ballast is a load mixture of sharp sand and gravel which are most commonly used for the production of cement.

At Buildbase we have a wide variety of loose aggregates to choose from. These aggregates, such as MOT type 1, ballast, gravel, or shingle and building sand are sold from our aggregate bays at our branches by the scoop and are then loaded into your vehicle using our mini dumper. These products cannot be delivered and can only be collected from the branch with a suitable vehicle.

If you cannot find the product you require, or are unsure of which product to use, please contact your local branch for assistance. Locate your branch using our branch locator. Or alternatively book an appointment with an expert.

What are Decorative Pebbles?

Decorative pebbles, also known as decorative cobbles, or decorative aggregates, are used for ornamenting and ground aggregation within landscaping projects. Decorative aggregates allow water to run through into the ground, decorative aggregates can be great use to reducing the risk of ground flooding.

Use for:

• Container garden projects. This is where you grow plants in containers rather than planting them in the ground. This can create strong plants as the aggregates provide great aggregation.
• Decorative pebbles can be used instead of mulch
• Creating pathways and stone ways
• Recreational area decoration
• Problem areas that are prone to flooding
• Ground covering and can help to supress unwanted plant growth. Some weeds can unfortunately grow through pebbles and pea gravel.
• Great for planting succulents

As an alternative to decorative pebbles, shingle or chippings can be used to create paving or to set paving stones to establish a striking path.

What is Cement? What is Concrete?

What is Concrete?

Concrete is a blend of aggregates, usually sand and gravel or crushed rock, bound together. Concrete is a composite material made up of fine and coarse aggregate bound together by fluid cement that hardens over time.

What is Cement?

Cement is a fine powder, obtained from the calcination at 1,450°C of a mix of limestone, clay, and iron ore. The product of the calcination process is clinker—the main ingredient of cement—that is finely ground with gypsum and other chemical additives to produce cement.

Is concrete and cement the same thing?

No. Cement is an ingredient of concrete, and concrete is a mixture of sand, gravel, and cement.

Can I use cement on its own?

Cement on its own is not very strong but when it's combined with other materials it takes on new form and is commonly used to create mortar, plaster, and concrete.

What happens when cement is mixed with water?

The water causes cement to harden through a process called hydration. Hydration is a chemical reaction in which the major compounds in cement form chemical bonds with water molecules.

What does concrete setting time mean?

When cement is mixed with water, the paste that is formed is fluid, or plastic, for a short period of time. During this time the paste material may be reformed or remoulded. As the chemical reaction between water and cement continues, the paste becomes stiffer and ultimately hardens. The early period of hardening is referred to as the setting time.

Need Cement Products?

Browse our cement products to finish your aggregate and landscaping project. We provide a comprehensive range of Cement & Limes, Post-Mix & Concrete, Admixtures, Floor Levelling & Screed, Render, and Cement Colouring products.