What jobs is mason sand the right sand for?
Mason sand is the right sand for finish work that needs a fine, even grain. That means mortar joints in brick and stone, a level bed under flagstone or light-duty pavers, and play sand in a sandbox. On structural concrete or under a driveway, a coarser material does the job better.
The finer the sand, the thinner and smoother the mortar joint it can make.
- Mortar for brick and stoneFire pit walls, mailbox columns, brick borders and stone veneer all go up with mortar mixed from fine sand. Small grains spread smoothly off the trowel and fill narrow joints without gaps.
- Flagstone beddingAn inch or so of sand under each stone lets it be tapped down level and keeps it from rocking.
- Walkway paversPatios and paths that only carry foot traffic can sit on a smooth screeded sand bed.
- SandboxesFine sand is soft on hands and knees and dries out quickly after a North Texas storm.
Mason sand, concrete sand or decomposed granite: which sand fits the job?
Mason sand fits mortar, sandboxes and bedding under flagstone because its grains are the finest and most even. Concrete sand is coarser and stronger in a concrete mix or under pavers that carry cars. Decomposed granite packs into a firm walking surface, and fill dirt only raises the grade.
| Material | Grain | Packs firm? | Typical use | Poor fit for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason sand | Fine and even | Settles, stays workable | Mortar, flagstone bed, sandboxes | Driveway base, structural concrete |
| Concrete sand | Coarse, mixed sizes | Firmer bed | Concrete mixes, paver bedding under vehicles | Thin mortar joints, sandboxes |
| Decomposed granite | Fine crushed granite with dust | Yes, when tamped | Paths, patio surfaces, xeriscape beds | Mortar |
| Fill dirt | Soil | Firm when dry | Raising low ground before a patio | Any finished surface |
If the patio surface itself should be soft-looking and walkable rather than stone, look at decomposed granite for paths and patios. If the yard dips where the patio is going, start with fill dirt to level the ground.
How much mason sand goes into a batch of mortar?
Most site-mixed mortar uses about 3 parts mason sand to 1 part cementitious material by volume, so sand makes up roughly three quarters of the dry mix. Water goes in last, a little at a time, until the mortar holds its shape on the trowel.
Follow the mix on the cement bag or the project spec when there is one, since mortar types vary. In a Grayson County summer, mortar stiffens fast in the sun, so mix smaller batches and keep fresh work damp. A cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet of sand, enough for about nine batches made with 1 cubic foot of binder each.
Mortar by volume: 3 parts sand to 1 part binder
Sand: about 75% of the dry mixBinder: cement or masonry cement, about 25%
- Binder
- 1 cu ft
- Mason sand
- 3 cu ft
- Batches per yd³
- ≈ 9
How much mason sand does a flagstone patio or a sandbox need?
A 14 by 16 foot flagstone patio on a 1-inch sand bed needs about 0.7 cubic yards of mason sand. A sandbox 6 feet square filled 1 foot deep takes about 1.3 cubic yards. Both come from length times width times depth in feet, divided by 27.
Depth is the number people get wrong. Write inches as a fraction of a foot: 1 inch is 0.083 feet, 2 inches is 0.167, 6 inches is 0.5. If joints between the stones will be filled with sand as well, or the ground under the bed is uneven, round the order up rather than down. HARDROCK can run the numbers with you on the call.
Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27
- Patio length
- 16 ft
- Patio width
- 14 ft
- Sand bed
- 0.083 ft (1 in)
- Mason sand needed
- ≈ 0.7 yd³
16 × 14 × 0.083 = 18.7 cubic feet. 18.7 ÷ 27 = 0.69 cubic yards.
Where does mason sand go in a flagstone patio with a fire pit?
In a flagstone patio with a fire pit, mason sand goes in the thin bed under each flagstone and in the mortar for stone or block walls. The joints between flagstones can be filled with fine sand, decomposed granite or mortar, depending on the finish wanted.
Patios and fire pits like this are a favorite weekend build on acreage around Sherman and at lake homes near Pottsboro and Lake Texoma. Every other material HARDROCK supplies is on the HARDROCK services overview.
HARDROCK reviews from Google
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JJ W3 months ago
Excellent experience working with Dean, he went out of his way to get me the material i was needing. Top notch customer service. I would highly recommend giving Hardrock Sand and Gravel a call!
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Frisco Grass Guys LLC5 months ago
Top-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
Read moreTop-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
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Robert Holt9 months ago
Great service. Leo the driver was very friendly and courteous. Also spoke with the owner, Dean. He was very friendly and gave me some great information. Great job!!!!!!!!!
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Clyde Roberts11 months ago
Super helpful, on time delivery and informative. I would highly recommend
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Tami Beattya year ago
Couldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
Read moreCouldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
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Dustin Szumowskia year ago
Great driver and solid prices! Worked with us in to get all the aggregate we needed for the project! Phenomenal communication! That was the biggest pet for us with all the moving pieces of this project.
Reviews are shown as written on Google. See all 24 on Google
What should you ask before ordering mason sand?
Mason sand buyers calling HARDROCK Sand and Gravel mostly want to settle which kind of sand the project really calls for, whether the truck can reach a home in their part of Grayson County, and how the sand is priced.
Which type of sand should I use for my project?
Pick by grain size and job. Mason sand is the finest of the common bulk sands, which makes it the choice for mortar, setting flagstone and filling a sandbox. Concrete sand is coarser and is used in concrete mixes and under heavier paver work. Fill sand is for leveling and backfill. Tell HARDROCK what you are building and the call will sort out the right sand.
Will HARDROCK haul mason sand to a home in Denison or out by the lake?
HARDROCK Sand and Gravel delivers mason sand to homes in Sherman, Denison and the rest of Grayson County. Call 903-420-0330 with the address and the spot where the pile should go, such as the side yard or the end of the drive, and the delivery day is set on that call.
Is mason sand priced per ton or per cubic yard?
HARDROCK Sand and Gravel quotes mason sand by phone rather than posting a rate, since the price moves with the amount and the trip to your address. Measure the patio, sandbox or mortar job first, then call 903-420-0330 for the current price and the unit it is sold in.
