Ordering Aggregates: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need
Wrong aggregate delivered at 7am means your groundworkers standing around at £200/hour. We've loaded thousands of tonnes over 25 years - here's exactly what you need to order and when.
The 30-Second Decision Tree
Building a base? You need MOT Type 1 - accept no substitutes for load-bearing applications.
Mixing concrete on site? That's sharp sand and ballast, not building sand.
Laying blocks? Now you want building sand for your mortar.
Drainage job? 10-20mm shingle is your answer.
Landscaping to finish? Topsoil goes on last.
What Each Aggregate Actually Does (And What Can Happen If You Use the Wrong One)
MOT Type 1 - Your Foundation Workhorse
This is crushed limestone or granite, 40mm down to dust. The dust is crucial - it locks everything together when compacted.
Use it for:
- Car parks and driveways (standard 150mm depth)
- Shed and garage bases
- Under concrete slabs
- Temporary haul roads
Real site example: Groundworker ordered MOT Type 2 for a garage base to save £3/tonne. Building control made them dig it out and start again. Lost two days and £1,800 in labour.
Learn more about MOT Type 1 specifications
Sharp Sand vs Building Sand - Get This Wrong and Nothing Works
Sharp sand - Angular particles, washed, for concrete mixing. Mix 1:2:4 (cement:sharp sand:ballast) for foundations.
Building sand - Softer, finer particles for mortar. Mix 1:6 with cement for standard brickwork mortar.
Builder's merchant sent building sand instead of sharp sand for a concrete pour. The mix never reached strength. They had to break out 40 cubic metres of pathway.
Sharp sand details | Building sand specifications
Ballast - The Complete Concrete Solution
Pre-mixed stone and sharp sand. Just add cement and water. Saves you buying aggregates separately but costs more per tonne.
The maths:
- 1 bulk bag of ballast (850kg) + 6 bags of cement = 1 cubic metre of concrete
- Ordering 20 tonnes? That's roughly 12 cubic metres of concrete when mixed
Crushed Concrete - The Budget Option That Works
Recycled concrete, crushed to 40mm down. About 30% cheaper than Type 1.
Perfect for:
- Temporary access roads
- Non-structural hardstanding
- Piling mats
Don't use for:
- Anything building control will inspect
- Structural bases
- Where you need precise compaction rates
When crushed concrete works (and when it doesn't)
Coverage Calculations That Actually Work
Forget the theory. Here's what you'll actually get:
MOT Type 1 at 100mm depth:
- 1 tonne covers 5-6 square metres
- 8-wheel tipper (20 tonnes) does 100-120 square metres
Sharp sand for screeding at 50mm:
- 1 tonne covers 12 square metres
- Bulk bag (850kg) does 10 square metres
10-20mm shingle at 50mm depth:
- 1 tonne covers 10-12 square metres
- Bulk bag covers 8-10 square metres
Always order 10% extra. You'll lose some to spillage, some to uneven ground, and some to that apprentice with the wheelbarrow.
Emergency Fixes When You've Ordered Wrong
Ordered Type 1 but need Type 2? Type 1 works anywhere Type 2 does. You've overspent but the job continues.
Got building sand but need sharp sand? Do NOT use it for concrete. Send it back or find somewhere else on site that needs mortar.
20mm shingle instead of 10mm? Works for drainage but not decorative surfaces. French drains won't care.
Ballast when you needed just aggregates? Calculate how much cement you need to make it work. Usually cheaper than sending it back.
The Monday Morning Checklist
Before you order any aggregate:
- What's going on top? (Concrete needs Type 1, block paving might accept Type 2)
- What depth are you laying? (Under 75mm? You might need smaller aggregate)
- Is building control involved? (They want Type 1, not crushed concrete)
- When's your labour arriving? (Order for delivery 30 minutes before, not 2 hours)
- Where's the grab lorry dropping it? (That ornamental garden won't survive)
Quick Reference for Your Site Manager
Structural bases: MOT Type 1 only
Concrete mixing: Sharp sand + Ballast + cement
Mortar mixing: Building sand + cement
Drainage: 10-20mm shingle
Temporary roads: Crushed concrete or MOT Type 1
Final landscaping: Topsoil
Stop Guessing, Start Knowing
After 25 years in waste and aggregates, we've seen every mistake. The expensive ones always start with "I thought this would work instead."
Need aggregates delivered tomorrow morning? WhatsApp us the type, tonnage, and postcode. We'll confirm the right material for your job and have it there before your workers arrive.
Browse all aggregate types and prices
Or just WhatsApp us: 0208 168 0435
One message. Right material. No standing around at £200/hour.
