Bedding Materials
Bedding Materials Sand
Bedding sand is coarse, washed sand you spread in a flat layer under pavers, flagstone, or a buried pipe. The grains are big enough to drain water and small enough to screed flat with a 2x4. Most of what's sold as bedding sand follows the ASTM C33 concrete-sand gradation, which runs from about 3/8 inch down to fine grit.
"Bedding materials" just means the sand goes under something else, like a paver or a buried pipe. In this family you'll usually see two ASTM grades: concrete sand (C33) and mason sand (C144). Concrete sand is coarser and drains fast, which is why it's the standard bedding under pavers. Mason sand is finer and softer, so it's the pick for pool bases and sandboxes. Price runs a bit higher than plain fill sand because it's washed and screened.
Compare every grade
| Grade | Size | Shape | Washed | Top use | We deliver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand (3/8″ Minus) | 3/8" Minus | — | — | Playground surfaces | Reference only |
| Sand (3/8″, Bedding) | 3/8" | — | — | Playground surfaces | Reference only |
| Sand (Bedding) | — | — | — | Horse stalls | Reference only |
| Sand (Unwashed) | — | — | Unwashed | Concrete mixing | Reference only |
What people use it for
How to choose within bedding materials sand
Around a pipe
Clean washed stone around the pipe, sized so the pipe never rests on a sharp point. #57 stone is the workhorse.
Under a paver
A coarse sand or fine screening levels flat and compacts uniform. Don't bed pavers in play sand — the joints move.
Behind a wall
Clean stone against the back face lets water fall away instead of pooling against the wall.
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