Many Uses of Sand

Sand is one of the most abundant materials that can be found on earth, offering an almost inexhaustible resource for landscaping, sport, glass manufacturing, water filtration and much more. We supply a wide range of quarried sand at Mainland Aggregates, helping to create a variety of landscapes and surfaces. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of quarry sand available and how this has adapted over time.

Silica sand


Firstly, silica sand is a popular choice for equestrian applications, being one of the most commonly used materials in the earth’s crust. This sand features angular grains which are locked together to improve firmness on the equestrian ground, whilst also offering a cushioned surface to help increase performance.


At Mainland Aggregates, we stock a selection of both premium and economy silica sand which is washed and graded to remove clay and silt, helping to improve drainage.

Bunker sand


Bunker sand is another popular option at Mainland Aggregates. As the name suggests, this sand is ideal for golf course bunkers, where every golfer dreads to end up!


Usually, golf courses use poor quality sand in their bunkers which is prone to cracking and waterlogging, making an already challenging shot even harder. However, our bunker sand is specially washed and graded to ensure the best possible characteristics for a golfing shot. Whether you need bunker sand supplied by the tonne or in bulk bags, we supply both at Mainland Aggregates so that your golf course can always have extras on hand.

Cattle sand


Finally, cattle sand is the ideal solution for cattle bedding, using finely washed grains to protect against bacterial growth. This sand ensures maximum comfort to provide a restful environment for cattle and thus reducing lameness.


Not only this, but cattle sand also has many advantages for farmers and cattle owners too, as it requires far less labour in comparison to a straw-based bedding system.

The transformation of sand


These are just a few examples of the quarried sand available at Mainland Aggregates, but we also have a wide array of other specialised sand available, including fill sand, sharp sand and building sand

Sand has evolved immensely over the years, from once being used to build the pyramids of Giza to now providing multiple different uses, sand has become a highly valuable resource. In fact, it is estimated that planet earth contains around 7 quintillion 500 quadrillion grains of sand, showcasing its abundant resource and value.


Today, sand is used across all sectors for a variety of applications. Glassmaking, construction, metal production, and water filtration are some of the biggest sectors that use sand on a daily basis. Sand can also be used for decorative purposes in landscapes, including creating Asian-inspired zen gardens. The uses of sand are endless.

Explore our selection of quarried sand and ballast to find the ideal sand for our landscaping solution, or alternatively speak to our team for some further information and guidance.

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