It’s pretty obvious that play sand and regular sand have very different uses, but many of us are totally unaware of just how much they differ when it comes to their general construct. Since regular sand can be used for common tasks associated with construction, there isn’t as much demand for the product to be smooth. On the other hand, play sand is likely to be used by young children, so being careful about how this feels when being handled is definitely more important. In this blog, we have highlighted the key processes they both go through and how this ends up creating what are two very distinct variations.
Introduction to Sand
Across the world, there is tons of sand laying across beaches and desserts. This substance is a granular material which is largely made up from silicone dioxide, and comes in a variety of colours including white and black. The formation of sand comes from rocks breaking down and eroding over the course of many years. Anything broken down will continue to loosen up as it travels down things like rivers.
What is Play Sand?
As the name suggests, this type of sand is basically used for play purposes, which would generally be young children who want to build things like sandcastles. Any play pit sand will have gone through a number of different processes which aim to cleanse the granules and ensure hefty debris has been taken away. To really ensure the sand is suitable for use and without harmful bacteria, it’s common for water pressure systems to be called upon in order to thoroughly cleanse every single grain.
Once the water pressure has been applied, many sharp edged granules will be smoothed out and then take on a far smaller form than before. This ensures the sand takes on that elegant and smooth to handle structure most suited to children when based in a sand pit. The final result should be a soft product that seamlessly glides through your hands and causes no discomfort when held in large quantities.
What is Regular Sand?
Conventional sand will not have been through the same process since this will be used mostly for construction purposes. In a majority of cases, this sand won’t ever be exposed to people as it’s often used for building foundations, allowing for subsequent brick and block work to take place. Other common uses are for flooring installations and laying down patios.
When using regular sand, things are taken even more granular, since there is one variation that comes far less abrasive, and then an alternative which comes with the addition of further materials to help with projects that need extra solidity in place.
Learn More With Brisks
If you have any more questions about which sand is best for certain applications, we can explain things for you in much greater detail if you get in contact with our team today. We can also offer a wide range of aggregates right now, so be sure to check out the extensive range we have available online.