So I got a quote for an outdoor arena and was thinking of doing a stone dust base with about 1.5" angular sand on top and this guy told me road sand is the same thing but a lot cheaper. I’m trying to make this as inexpensive as possible as I will be the only one riding on it and I’m on a tight budget but wanted to get opinions from others that have used road sand. He made it sound like all I would need is 6" road sand? Is it similar to stone dust? Should I still put angular concrete sand on top? I haven’t been able to find any information as to the make up of road sand. Thanks!
I feel like that could be anything ?? and would totally vary by region. Here we don’t use road sand, unless you are talking about gravel in the winter for ice? Our gravel roads are gravel. It packs ok, but would have bigger pieces than I would want for either the base or the footing.
Some of what makes the road pack really nice in dry weather is silt or clay and that is what also leads to the ruts in wet weather.
I feel your pain. My outdoor is going to cost more than twice what I thought. I’m still waiting on the last bid to come in. Are you getting multiple bids? Can he refer you to an arena where he installed it with road sand so you can visit and talk to the owner?
You could ask for specs on the road sand so you can compare it. Road sand could be anything depending on region. Could be dusty, soft, round river sand. Or could be something else entirely. You need to know what the source of the road sand is, what the particle sizes are, what the composition is, and whether it is round or angular.
I’m really suspicious of this person telling you that all you need is 6" of “road sand.” You need two distinct things to make a good arena–a rock hard base made of compacted stone dust (3/4 minus) and then a soft layer of footing spread evenly over top. I don’t know a type of stone or sand product that would work for both layers.
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I suspect “road sand” is unwashed/unprocessed sand and will contain dirt and whatever else … depending upon location it may just be loaded directly from the pit
here is an explanation of the various local sands we have from one supplier… one is specifically noted as Arena Sand
http://www.tsgmaterials.com/home/materials/
here is their description
Arena Sand
Arena Sand is a special sand that is great for horse arenas. We have a few varieties that we sell for runs, stalls, and arenas. Give us a call, and we can send you some samples to make sure you get what you need for your four-legged friends.
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I would assume road sand to be something like road rock, which would compact way too much for safe riding.
However looking at some suppliers in NY, did he perhaps mean “highway sand”?
http://www.redwingsandandgravel.com/sands.html
http://www.duffylayton.com/prod-sand.html
I’ve seen that used, I believe. The one from Red Wing looks like it might have too much movement. The one from Duffy Layton looks okay. Not my fav.
I’d ask him to provide the names of other people that have used it in a riding arena and contact them for feedback. Otherwise, I’d insist on a tried-and-true sand like masonry sand, people use masonry all the time for riding footing.
This is all great advice thanks! I didn’t think to ask to see an arena made with road sand but he said he’s made several that way before so I should ask to check them out. I do think he meant highway sand but that highway sand looks more like small rocks! I can’t imagine that working. This is the 3rd quote I’ve received but have one more person that I’m going to call. I think this guy could do a decent job making the arena but I think I’ll be deciding the materials used.
Locally it’s called “mason” sand. I would ask on a local FB page for what people used in your area. I had a friend who’s contractor skimped on the budget and her area was unrideable and she ended up suing him as what he showed up with was not what she ordered.
Ask for a sample/ bucketful of what he is calling “road sand”.
And I agree with those saying you need a gravel base under your final footing.
6" of sand only is fine if you’re a Reiner (Reiners I’m kidding!) but - IMHO - it is not going to work for any type of riding.
The excavator who did my indoor put down 9" of gravel - rolled to compact - with 3" sand over that.
When I told him I wanted angular sand, he brought me a bucket of the sand he proposed to use.
He had no firsthand horse knowledge, but got it from the arena of one of his friends who had horses.
14yrs later arena has held up to my riding & handles neighbor’s loaded hay wagons stored in it w/o damaging my riding surface.
Yes, definitely ask for a sample or go see the other rings he has made with it. We sell bulk materials like sand, stone dust etc and nearly everyone calls stuff something different, even within the same region. I keep a set of jars with all the materials that we offer so that when someone says they want xyz, I can bring the jar out and be like, this is what you want?
Good for you! I am finding it IMPOSSIBLE to get contractors out, or when they do come, to get a quote. I only have one written quote so far, and I started this process months ago. I asked him to modify size and clarify something and haven’t heard back. So really I have nothing. We are in a construction boom and everyone in any trade is so freaking busy. I’m also looking at 10 weeks to get an electrician out to do some work in our living room. AUGH.
In our area, the product described as “road sand” is used to create sand rings. Our “road sand” is the debris left on paved roads after a winter of sand and salt spreading to manage ice. Each spring, the road crews clear intersections and roadsides of this debris, and truck it away. Trucking is expensive, so often the township is agreeable to dropping truckloads on nearby private property at no charge.
The product is a mixture of coarse sand, and fine rock, similar to stone dust. Yes, there are some larger stones, but far fewer than you would expect, and after a winter of snow, and spring rains, the product is not to bad for dust. A cheap way to obtain a workable and inexpensive ring is to level area, use road sand for base, and ride on for one summer. The following year top up with the depth of sand desired.
I should clarify…I’ve had 3 people out for quotes but only received two. The second person just never gave me a quote even after I reminded him. So next! Don’t get why someone would take the time to come out and then never give me a quote
This is perfect thanks! He made it sound similar to stone dust just much cheaper. I still want to see some rings with it used but I’m feeling more confident it may work out
