Aggerates come in many different sizes, and all have their own particular benefits and uses. This is why it is always a good idea to first find out which aggregate is going to best suit your project. The size in which you need will much depend on the project you are undertaking. This is why our team at TDL Grab Hire have put together this guide on different aggregates and their size and uses to help you determine which will best suit your project.
Sand – This is a fine aggregate and is used in most projects. Sharp sand is often used for laying paving stones and creating dry mix mortar. It works well for added strength, with lower flexibility. Building sand works best for wet mortar and it is ideal for natural stone slabs or pieces that are laid flat on a patio or floor. The soft building sand works best in mortar meant for walls.
Ballast – This is used for mixing concreate, made up of mostly crushed stone with smaller material mixed in. There are also ballast options with sand so they’re perfect for mixing into concrete and creating a sturdy, workable concrete option. Ballast is often used for roads and railways as it provides a sturdy base to build on.
MOT Type 1 – This is made up of low absorbency stone, different sixed gravels and quarry waste. It is often used for raising land, but can also be used to fill in dips and create flat solid surfaces. If you need bulk fill or a subbase, this is the aggregate type you want.
Gravel – This is classified as a large aggregate and is between 10-20mm. Gravel is usually used for pathways. Usually, the best material for this is angular gravel that will lock into place when compressed. These stones are small enough to make walking comfortable but large enough that they won’t scatter as easily as smaller aggregates.
40mm aggregates are often used for driveways, landscaping features, 40mm aggregates are often used for driveways, landscaping features and water features. Large, rounded gravel can be used for drainage as well. For projects that require a large amount of concrete to be laid, large gravel will be used along with sand. It’s common to see up to 40mm aggregate used in concrete like this, as it will reduce the amount of cement and water that is required for the project.
If you need high quality aggregates delivered, then contact TDL Grab Hire today – 01302 867 865
