Types of Sand for Construction

Chambino Areias supplies sand in Portugal only (Seixal, near Lisbon). Prices exclude VAT; delivery to site from 5 t across the Lisbon and Setúbal region; smaller orders are collected at the pit.

Introduction to Construction Sand

Sand is one of the most essential materials in construction, present in virtually all stages of a project. Choosing the right type of sand is crucial for the quality, durability and safety of the work. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the main types of construction sand, their characteristics, applications and how to choose the ideal one for your project.

1. Washed Coarse Sand 0/4

Washed coarse sand is one of the most versatile options in construction. Its grains have diameters between 0 and 4mm, and it undergoes a washing process that removes impurities such as clay and organic matter.

Main Characteristics:

Grain size: 0-4mm (coarse)
Washed: free of clay and organic matter
CE marking under EN 12620, Declaration of Performance on request
Big bag: €24 · 25 kg bag: €0.85 (excl. VAT)

Applications:

Floor screeds: Mix of about 1:3 to 1:4 (cement:sand)
Concrete: Structural and non-structural (for structural concrete, the material is set by the design and the designer)
Masonry mortar: For laying blocks and bricks
Fills and levelling: General construction work

Advantages:

Low fines content, which helps cement setting and reduces shrinkage
Free of clay and organic matter
CE marking under EN 12620
The only sand we also sell in bulk (€9.25/t excl. VAT, from 5 t)

2. Washed Fine Sand 0/1

Fine sand, with grains between 0 and 1mm, is essential for finishes and applications requiring a smooth, uniform texture.

Main Characteristics:

Grain size: 0-1mm (fine)
Very fine and uniform texture
Washed: free of clay and organic matter
CE marking under EN 12620
Big bag: €24 · 25 kg bag: €1.10 (excl. VAT)

Specific Applications:

Renders and plasters: Interior and exterior, mix of about 1:5 to 1:6 (cement:sand)
Finishing mortars and skim coats
Laying tiles and ceramics: Fine mortar for tiles
Joints and detail work

Tip for Use:

Fine sand requires more water in the mix due to its high surface area. Adjust the water/cement ratio to avoid excessive shrinkage and cracking. Do not use fine sand for floor screeds: a screed needs the granular structure of coarse sand 0/4, and with fine sand alone it is weaker and shrinks more.

3. Pit Sand

Pit sand is extracted directly from natural deposits without undergoing washing processes. In Portugal it is called "areia de barreira", after the pits ("barreiras") it is dug from.

A generic unwashed pit sand of unknown origin may contain clay and organic matter and may have no CE marking. Our pit sand 0/4, extracted at our own pit in Seixal, is different: it has CE marking under EN 12620, with a Declaration of Performance (DoP) available on request, so the technician can check on the DoP whether its declared values suit the project.

Characteristics:

Grain size: 0/4 mm
Unwashed, used as extracted
CE marking under EN 12620 (Chambino pit sand 0/4)
Big bag: €24 · 25 kg bag: €1 (excl. VAT)

Recommended Applications:

Fills: Filling ditches, excavations and backfills
Bedding and levelling layers
Pipe and box bedding
Ordinary mortars: Non-structural
Outdoor works: Landscaping and terrain levelling

Rule of thumb: where the sand stays hidden, pit sand pays off; where it stays visible or carries load, choose washed sand. If you buy generic pit sand elsewhere, always ask for its CE marking and Declaration of Performance.

4. River Sand (Tagus River)

Tagus River sand comes from the bed of the Tagus. Transport in the water rounds the grains, which gives a mortar that is easier to work with the trowel.

Natural Characteristics:

Round and smooth grains
Naturally clean of clay and organic matter, not industrially washed
CE marking under EN 12620
Big bag: €25 · 25 kg bag: €1.25 (excl. VAT)

Applications:

Laying and render mortars: Where workability matters
Concrete: CE marking under EN 12620; for structural concrete, the designer decides the material
Masonry laying
Decorative and outdoor applications

How to Choose the Right Sand?

Criteria to Consider:

1. Type of Work:

Screeds and concrete: Washed coarse sand 0/4
Renders and finishes: Washed fine sand 0/1
Fills and bedding layers: Pit sand 0/4
Hand-laid mortars where workability matters: Tagus River sand

2. Position in the work:

Hidden work: Pit sand pays off
Exposed or load-bearing work: Prefer washed sand

3. Budget:

Big bag (excl. VAT): washed 0/4 €24, washed fine 0/1 €24, pit sand 0/4 €24, Tagus River €25
25 kg bag (excl. VAT): washed 0/4 €0.85, pit sand €1, fine 0/1 €1.10, Tagus River €1.25

Quality Standards

All our sands have CE marking under EN 12620 (aggregates for concrete). CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration, set out in the Declaration of Performance (DoP), that the aggregate meets the harmonised standard; it is not a quality seal or a third-party certificate. We provide the DoP on request. For structural concrete, the designer or site engineer decides which material to use. The DoP covers, among others:

Grain size distribution
Fines content
Harmful substances

Our washed gravel 8-12 mm has no CE marking and is intended for non-structural uses only (drainage, gardens, decoration).

Conclusion

Choosing the right sand is fundamental to the success of your construction project. Consider the type of application, its position in the work and the available budget. At Chambino Areias, all the sands in this guide have CE marking under EN 12620; our washed gravel 8-12 mm does not, and is for non-structural uses only.

Need Help Choosing?

Chambino Areias supplies sand in Portugal only (Seixal, near Lisbon). Prices exclude VAT; delivery to site from 5 t across the Lisbon and Setúbal region; smaller orders are collected at the pit.