Washed Grit

At Stone Zone, we are proud to have a wide range of building aggregates designed for the Trade. This range is great value, high quality and always consistent. This is what makes us one of the largest Builder's Merchants in Dorset.

Washed Grit makes up our affordable 'Trade range' and makes up one of our many building aggregates. This material is naturally course and 'gritty' and is also known as 'sharp sand'. This Washed Grit is typically graded to 2mm in particle size.

Typical uses of Washed Grit are laying block paving or Sandstone Paving slabs, pipe bedding and floor screed when mixed with cement.

Washed Grit for Laying Paving

The way you choose to lay your paving slabs is usually entirely down to personal preference. There are many different materials you can use as a base for your paving as well as when it comes to pointing your paving. Many Landscapers still use Sharp Sand and Soft Sand to bed the paving as well as joint the paving. 

If you want to use Washed Grit to bed your Natural Stone Paving on, we would recommend using 5 parts Sharp Sand, to 1 part Soft Sand and 1 part Cement. A huge bonus of adding sharp sand to the mortar mix is that it can prevent cracking during the drying process.

Washed Grit for Pipe Bedding

Washed Grit makes for a very popular building material in the commercial sector for bedding pipes. Along with permeable aggregates such as Aquaflow and Shingle, Sharp Sand is often used in the process of pipe bedding as it ensures even pressure to avoid pipe leaks.

Sharp Sand for Floor Screeds

Washed Grit is a commonly used material within floor screeds along with other sub-base materials. Using Sharp Sand to screed a floor is popular due to the rough, jagged edges of the sand .

Picking the Right Sand

At Stone Zone, we supply many different ranges of Sands that can be used for a whole host of building and landscaping applications. 

Sand is a naturally-occurring substance that has derived from eroded rocks over the years. To be classed as 'sand,' the particle sizes must vary between 0.6mm and 2mm.

For the reasons above, sand is a precious material that, although we are so used to there being an abundance of, it will one day run out and we will have to discover an alternative material to use. 

When it comes to using sand for various applications such as building and landscaping, it has to meet certain criteria and therefore will usually go through a screening process to ensure the sand is free from debris and is free from contamination.

Washed Grit, also known as Sharp Sand, goes through a process where it is washed, essentially removing silt, clay and dust from the sand particles, and only leaving the sand.

By nature, it is very coarse sand that is 'gritty;' this makes it great for binding to form a tough and solid surface, therefore making concrete well due to the shape of the grains, as well as bedding material for pipes and natural stone paving.

Builder's Sand, also known as Brick Sand, is normally available in two different colours; Yellow, which is known as 'Blonde Building Sand,' and orange, hence 'Orange Building Sand.' The difference between these two sands are that the Orange Building Sand tends to contain higher levels of iron, giving it a more reddish colour.

Builders Sand is commonly used for jointing natural stone paving and bricklaying applications such as building houses using common house bricks as well as exterior walls that may be made from Sandstone Walling.

We also supply Plastering Sand which is a much finer-graded sand that is commonly used for applications in and around the home like general plastering and DIY. Then we have children-friendly sand such as Silver Play Sand and Bunker Sand.   

How to Buy Washed Grit

These wood chips can be collected for free at one of our depots in Wimborne, Bournemouth or Dorchester, or our garden soils can be delivered nationally to anywhere in the UK.

You can use our Quantity Calculator to work out how much of these wood chippings you need - simply enter the measurements of your garden, the depth at which you want to lay the stone and it will work out how much you need!

Available Pack Sizes

20kg maxi bags

850kg bulk bags (approximately 0.6m³)

We can also deliver our soils as loose, tipped loads, as opposed to being in bags. Please call our friendly team on 01202 874207 if you require this service.

PLEASE NOTE: While every effort has been made to ensure our soils and sands are free from contamination; there is always the chance that there may be small pieces of debris present. Please ensure you handle the sand with care when using it.  

Buy With Confidence

• Our Shard Sand can be purchased in bulk bags that weigh approx. 850kg and contain approx. 0.6m³
• Not sure how much you need? Use our quantity calculator and enter your garden width and length to find out how many bulk bags you need! 
• Please select the bag size you'd like to buy and add to your basket 
• Our Soils & Chips will either arrive on a hiab lorry that can be used to lift the stone onto your garden, or it will arrive on a pallet for kerbside delivery; depending on your address
• You can choose free collection from one of our Depots or fuss-free, home delivery.

A Service You Can Rely On

• Our reliable service offers prompt delivery to any area in the UK
• Stone Zone is a family-run business that has been well-established since 1998
• Our efficient customer advisors can help you with your purchase
• We pride ourselves on offering a range of affordable garden supplies 

Sample Soil is available in-store, please ask a customer advisor. 

A Delivery Service you can Rely on

You don't need to be there for delivery; if you're happy to do so, our delivery drivers can deliver bulk bags to your front garden without a signature.

Alternatively, our experienced drivers can operate their lorries to deliver bulk bags over fences at the front, side or back of your property, you will need to be present for this delivery type.   

Please let us know if there are any access difficulties to your road or property. If your property has very tight access and we need to use a small lorry, a surcharge of £30 + vat will apply.   

Any questions? Use our live chat to speak to an advisor, alternatively, you can fill out an enquiry form or call us on 01202 874207.