# Types of sand for construction: river, manufactured, silica and volcanic

Aggregates —sand included— make up 60–70% of concrete's volume (GCC, 2020). A guide to the 4 sand types and how each is used.

By the Grupo Server editorial team · [Editorial policy](https://gruposerver.com.mx/en/blog/editorial/)

Published September 2, 2026 · Updated September 9, 2026

Construction mainly uses four types of sand: river, manufactured (crushed), silica and volcanic, each suited to a different job. Aggregates —sand and gravel— make up 60 [to 70% of the volume of hydraulic concrete](https://gruposerver.com.mx/en/blog/que-es-un-agregado-petreo/), according to [GCC](https://www.gcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/FT-0620-AGREGADOS-P%C3%89TREOS.pdf)'s technical data sheet from August 2020, and in Mexico they must meet standard NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018, in force since that November.

**Key facts**

- NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018 has regulated aggregates for hydraulic concrete in Mexico since November 12, 2018.
- Aggregates make up 60–70% of concrete's volume, per GCC's technical data sheet (August 2020).
- Crushed limestone sand weighs 1.50 to 1.75 t/m³ loose, according to GCC.
- Silica sand weighs 1.55 to 1.65 t/m³ loose, per the same GCC data sheet.
- CEMEX classifies its manufactured sand as mesh #4 for concrete and mesh #5 for mortar and finishes.

## What is the difference between river sand and manufactured sand?

River sand is dredged from riverbeds and alluvial deposits. Years of water transport wear down each grain, so it ends up rounded and relatively low in fines. It is the traditional choice for concrete and mortar mixes in civil works.

Manufactured sand, also called crushed sand, is produced by breaking rock — typically limestone — at a crushing plant and screening it by size. The grain is angular rather than rounded, because it comes from mechanical fracture, not erosion. [CEMEX Mexico](https://www.cemexmexico.com/productos/agregados-para-concreto) sorts its manufactured sand into mesh #4, for concrete, paving and precast, and mesh #5, for mortar and fine finishes.

Neither type is inherently better: the choice depends on the mix design, the finish sought, and what material is available near the job site. Both must meet [NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018](https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5543504&fecha=12/11/2018) for grading and fines content before use in structural concrete.

## What is silica sand used for?

Silica sand is a fine aggregate high in quartz, with a more uniform grain size than limestone sand. Per GCC's August 2020 technical data sheet, it is used in concrete and mortar, and its bulk density —1.55 to 1.65 t/m³ loose and 1.65 to 1.75 t/m³ compacted— is higher and more consistent than other sands.

That uniformity makes it common in mixes where finish quality and predictable concrete behavior matter more than sheer bulk volume for rough work. Before ordering it, check the supplier's data sheet for the specific use — structural, finish or industrial — because not every silica sand is sold with the same grading.

## What is volcanic sand and when is it used?

Volcanic sand comes from pyroclastic material — ash and volcanic rock fragments — rather than a sedimentary or crushed-rock source. It tends to be lighter than limestone or silica sand because of the porosity typical of volcanic rock, and it is used mainly where that lightness matters, such as fill and certain specialty mortars.

It does not appear in the GCC or CEMEX technical data sheets consulted for this guide, so its availability and exact properties should be confirmed directly with the local supplier before specifying it on a project.

Coahuila is not a region with documented volcanic sand production at the scale of the aggregate data sheets reviewed here, so local jobs usually substitute crushed limestone sand or silica sand when a similar property is needed, such as lower weight or uniform grading. Before specifying volcanic sand on a project in the region, check with the supplier whether the material is regularly stocked or would be a special order.

## How do you order the right sand for each job?

Sand should be ordered by type, not just by volume. For structural concrete, the first requirement is that it meet NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018; for fine finishes, it helps to specify the mesh — for example, mesh #5 in CEMEX's classification. The table below summarizes the basic selection criteria.

| Sand type | Source | Typical use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| River | Riverbeds and alluvial deposits | Concrete and mortar for civil works |
| Manufactured / crushed | Rock crushed at a quarry | Concrete, paving and precast (CEMEX) |
| Silica | High-quartz deposits | Finish-grade concrete and mortar (GCC) |
| Volcanic | Pyroclastic material | Fill and specialty mortars |

When ordering by volume, remember that weight varies by type: silica sand and crushed limestone sand do not weigh the same per cubic meter, based on the ranges GCC publishes, so the same volume is not always the same load weight.

It is also worth checking the material's cleanliness before accepting delivery: excess fines, clay or organic matter in the sand weakens bonding in concrete and mortar, regardless of the sand type. NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018 sets the limits on fines content each aggregate must meet before use in structural concrete, and a supplier that meets the standard can show the results of those tests on request.

## How does Grupo Server help?

Triturados Gramol, a Grupo Server company founded in 2003, produces stone aggregates —gravel, sand, ballast, base and asphalt mix— with two operating plants, in Coahuila and San Luis Potosí. Vermat, the group's construction-materials and hardware retail chain with multiple locations in Saltillo, [is the retail counter for anyone buying sand](https://gruposerver.com.mx/en/blog/como-elegir-una-tienda-de-materiales-en-saltillo/) by the bag or by the truckload.

You can learn more about the group's [materials companies](https://gruposerver.com.mx/en/empresas/triturados-gramol/) and about [Vermat](https://gruposerver.com.mx/en/empresas/vermat/), or browse the [construction section](https://gruposerver.com.mx/en/construccion/) for the rest of its capabilities. To request a quote, use the [contact form](https://gruposerver.com.mx/en/contacto/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between river sand and manufactured sand?

River sand is dredged from riverbeds and has rounded grains worn down by water; manufactured (crushed) sand is produced by crushing rock at a quarry and has angular grains. Both must meet NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018.

### What is silica sand used for?

GCC's technical data sheet (August 2020) lists silica sand as an aggregate for concrete and mortar, with a bulk density of 1.55 to 1.65 t/m³ loose.

### How much does a cubic meter of sand weigh?

Per GCC (2020), crushed limestone sand weighs 1.50 to 1.75 t/m³ loose and 1.55 to 1.85 t/m³ compacted; silica sand weighs 1.55 to 1.65 t/m³ loose and 1.65 to 1.75 t/m³ compacted.

### What percentage of concrete is sand and gravel?

Stone aggregates —sand and gravel combined— make up 60 to 70% of the volume of hydraulic concrete, according to GCC's technical data sheet from August 2020.

### Which standard regulates sand for concrete in Mexico?

NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018, 'Aggregates for hydraulic concrete – Specifications and test methods,' published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación on November 12, 2018.

## Topics

- Grupo Server
- Triturados Gramol
- Vermat
- Saltillo
- Coahuila
- NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018

## Sources

- [NMX-C-111-ONNCCE-2018, Diario Oficial de la Federación, November 12, 2018](https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5543504&fecha=12/11/2018)
- [GCC, Aggregates technical data sheet (August 2020)](https://www.gcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/FT-0620-AGREGADOS-PÉTREOS.pdf)
- [CEMEX Mexico, Aggregates for concrete](https://www.cemexmexico.com/productos/agregados-para-concreto)
- Triturados Gramol company profile

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