Two Types of Sand — Which One Do You Need?
Not all sand is the same, and ordering the wrong type is an easy mistake to make. Here’s the straightforward breakdown of what we carry and when to use each one.
Play Sand is our premium, precision-processed sand — double-washed, zero gravel, zero silts, and zero clays. It’s precisely screened to create an exceptionally clean, uniform material that distributes evenly and feels silky smooth to the touch. It’s the highest quality play sand available in the Denver market and is safe for kids, pets, and adults. It meets USGA and architectural specifications — the same standard used for golf courses and professional athletic fields. If you’re filling a sandbox, building a volleyball court, creating a lake or reservoir beach area, or need a clean recreational surface, this is the sand you want.
Washed Sand is our utility-grade bulk sand — clean, versatile, and cost-effective. It’s the right call for construction and landscaping applications where you need a reliable, workable material without the premium price tag of our play sand. Best for mixing concrete, leveling under pavers, drainage applications, and general landscaping use.
Not sure which one is right for your project? Contact us here and we’ll point you in the right direction before you order.
Premium Play Sand — The Cleanest Sand We Carry
Our play sand goes through a double-wash process that removes everything you don’t want — no gravel, no silts, no clays, no dust. What you’re left with is an exceptionally uniform, fine-grained sand that feels smooth and comfortable underfoot and in hand. It distributes evenly whether you’re filling a sandbox or topdressing a surface, and the grain consistency means it won’t clump, cake, or leave dusty residue behind.
This is not your standard bagged play sand from the hardware store. It’s precision-screened to meet the same specifications used by golf course superintendents and professional athletic field managers — which means it’s been held to a higher standard of cleanliness and consistency than anything else available in the Denver bulk sand market.
What Is Play Sand Best Used For?
Our premium play sand is the right choice for:
- Sandboxes and backyard play areas — clean, soft, and safe for kids of all ages
- Volleyball courts — the fine, consistent grain size creates an ideal playing surface that’s comfortable on bare feet and hands
- Lake and reservoir beach areas — smooth, uniform texture that creates a clean, comfortable recreational surface for Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs
- Golf and athletic applications — meets USGA and architectural specifications for professional turf and field use
- Schools, daycares, and HOA play areas — clean, contaminant-free material appropriate for high-traffic recreational environments
Washed Sand — The Utility Workhorse
Our washed sand is a clean, versatile bulk sand for construction and landscaping applications throughout the Denver area. It’s the go-to material when you need a reliable, cost-effective sand for:
- Concrete mixing — a fundamental ingredient in concrete, mortar, and stucco applications
- Paver and flagstone leveling — creates a smooth, stable base that compacts well and supports long-term paver stability
- Drainage applications — improves drainage in areas where water pools or clay soil creates problems
- General landscaping fill — anywhere you need clean, workable bulk sand without the premium price
At roughly half the cost per ton of our play sand, washed sand is the practical choice for larger volume projects where precision grain size isn’t required.
Why Sand Quality Matters More Than Most People Realize
The difference between cheap sand and quality sand shows up quickly — in dusty, irritating play areas that aren’t safe for kids, in uneven paver bases that shift and crack, and in concrete mixes that don’t set properly. Getting the right sand for the right application isn’t just about price — it’s about getting the result you actually want.
We’ve been serving Denver-area homeowners, contractors, schools, and landscapers since the early 2000s, and sand is one of those materials where we consistently see people order the wrong product. If you’re not sure which one you need, contact us here before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sand
What’s the difference between play sand and washed sand? Play sand is precision-screened and double-washed to remove all gravel, silts, and clays — creating a clean, uniform, fine-grained material safe for recreational use. Washed sand is a utility-grade material cleaned for construction and landscaping applications but not processed to the same specification. Play sand is softer, finer, and significantly cleaner. Washed sand is coarser, more affordable, and better suited for structural applications.
Is your play sand safe for kids? Yes — our play sand is double-washed, free of contaminants, and meets USGA and architectural specifications. It contains zero gravel, zero silts, and zero clays. It’s one of the cleanest bulk play sands available in the Denver market.
Can I use washed sand in a sandbox? We don’t recommend it. Washed sand is a construction material — it’s coarser, less uniform, and not processed to the same cleanliness standard as our play sand. For any sandbox or recreational play area, our premium play sand is the right product.
How much sand do I need? For sandboxes, plan for 3–4 inches of depth for general play. For safety zones under playground equipment, 8–12 inches is recommended. For paver bases, 1 inch of washed sand is standard. Use our materials calculator to estimate how much you need before you order.
Can washed sand be used for concrete? Yes — washed sand is commonly used for mixing concrete, mortar, and stucco. It’s one of the most versatile bulk sand options for construction applications.