Brickies Sand, River Sand or Plaster Sand? A Perth Buyer's Guide

Why the names matter

'Sand' covers a lot of ground — literally. The three most commonly ordered types for residential jobs around Perth are brickies sand, washed river sand and plaster sand, and while they can look similar in a small handful, they behave very differently once they're mixed, laid or rendered.

Brickies sand

Brickies sand carries a higher clay content than the other two, which is exactly what makes it useful — the clay helps it bind and stay workable when mixed with cement for bricklaying and general masonry. It's the sand you want when you need a mortar mix that holds its shape and grips.

Washed river sand

Washed river sand is naturally sourced and screened to a smooth, fairly consistent grain, which makes it a reliable general-purpose choice for concrete, mortar mixes and landscaping. Because it's a natural material, some batches carry trace organic matter or silt even after washing — fine for most jobs, but worth flagging if you need a very clean mix.

Plaster sand

Plaster sand is the finest of the three — well-sieved and washed specifically to remove stones and coarse particles. That fine, consistent grain is what gives rendering and plastering a smooth, even finish; using a coarser sand here shows up immediately in the finished wall.

Quick comparison

• →Brickies sand — bricklaying, bedding, general construction. Higher clay content for a workable, binding mix.
• →Washed river sand — concrete, mortar mixes, landscaping. Smooth, naturally graded, reliable general use.
• →Plaster sand — rendering and plastering. Finest grain, sieved and washed for a smooth finish.

Still not sure?

If you're not certain which one your job needs, send a photo of the surface or job you're working on and we'll tell you straight — it's a two-minute answer and it saves ordering the wrong material.