Sand Products Sand

Sand is small, loose grains of rock, usually between about 1/16 mm and 2 mm across. It's what you get when bigger rocks break down over time from water, wind, or weather, or when a plant runs stone through a crusher. The grains can be rounded (from rivers and beaches) or sharp and angular (from crushing). Shape matters as much as size. Round grains slide past each other, while angular grains lock together when you pack them down.

Sand covers a whole family of products, and the name usually tells you the job. Mason sand is fine and washed, made for mortar joints and paver bedding. Concrete sand is coarser and gets mixed into concrete or set under pavers and pipes. Fill sand is cheaper, less clean, and used to raise grade or fill voids under a slab. Prices usually run about $15 to $50 a ton depending on the type and how far the pit is from you.