1. What is the Sharp Sand Calculator?

The Sharp Sand Calculator estimates the amount of sharp sand needed for tile bedding or jointing based on the area to be covered and the desired depth of the sand layer.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( Area \) — The surface area to be covered (in square meters)
• \( Depth \) — The thickness of the sand layer (typically 0.01–0.03 meters)
• \( 1600 \) — The density of sharp sand (in kg/m³)

Explanation: The calculation accounts for the volume of sand needed (area × depth) multiplied by the density to convert to weight.

3. Importance of Accurate Sand Calculation

Details: Proper sand quantity estimation ensures you have enough material for your tiling project without excessive waste or multiple trips to purchase additional sand.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure your area accurately in square meters. For depth, typical values are 10-30mm (0.01-0.03m) for tile bedding. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is sharp sand?
A: Sharp sand has angular grains and is ideal for bedding paving stones and tiles as it compacts well.

Q2: How deep should the sand layer be?
A: For most tile installations, 20-30mm is typical. Thinner layers (10-15mm) may be used for jointing.

Q3: Why is density 1600 kg/m³?
A: This is the standard bulk density for sharp sand, accounting for air gaps between grains.

Q4: How much extra should I allow?
A: Add 10-15% to account for compaction and spillage during installation.

Q5: Can I use this for other types of sand?
A: Different sands have different densities. Soft builder's sand typically has a density of about 1440 kg/m³.