Sand is often associated with beautiful beach scenes and warm summer days, but its uses go far beyond building sandcastles. For instance, silica sand – which is most commonly known as quartz, industrial sand, or crystalline silica - plays a crucial role in modern applications such as cement, concrete, and paint.
In addition to some of its more industrial uses, silica sand has several recreational purposes. From filling volleyball courts and bunkers on golf courses to filtering swimming pools, silica sand is an essential component of many beloved summertime activities.
What is Silica Sand?
Silica sand is most commonly mined from specific sandstone deposits across the globe. Unlike the type of sand you might find at the beach, silica sand is far more pure and, once thoroughly cleaned and processed – nearly free of impurities. This makes it the perfect component for both industrial and recreational use.
Not all sand is created equal. While silica sand is versatile and can be used for everything from sports and recreation to building products, it requires the right mining location and process to produce the ideal sand.
Mining silica sand starts with sourcing minerals from the right sites and then processing what’s mined into the desired gradations. This process starts with drilling and blasting rock from our quarries before crushing the rock into smaller granules. Every grain of sand is screened and washed to remove stones, organic materials, and more, while highlighting the natural color of the sand.
5 Summertime Staples Made with Silica Sand
There are a number of different uses for silica sand in the industrial and commercial sectors, from glassmaking to volleyball courts. Silica sand has a wide array of practical uses thanks to variations in its characteristics, including:
- Grain size
- Shape
- Color
- Structure
- Strength and Stability
Covia utilizes an array of different silica sands in several products that you can find in your own backyard. Let’s take a look at five common summertime activities and items that you might not have known were made with silica sand.
Play Sand
As many parents can attest, Crayola® Play Sand is a summertime favorite for kids across the country. Crayola Play Sand encourages children to imagine, design, and play – using it in arts & crafts projects, sandboxes, and more. Since the sand has been carefully washed and coated with safe, durable colors, caretakers can rest easy. Entertaining and vibrant, Crayola Play Sand comes in four colors, blue, pink, purple and green.
In partnership with stores across the US, Covia provides consumers with trusted entertainment for the young and young-at-heart – empowering them to let their creative minds thrive all summer long.
Swimming Pool Filters
Few things can beat the warm summer heat like a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. Thanks to AQUAQUARTZ® pool filter sand, you can relax in peace in a crystal clean pool.
AQUAQUARTZ pool filter sand uses premium #20 grade silica sand to ensure easy, cost-effective results for residential as well as commercial pools. By effectively and efficiently reducing dust, algae, suntan lotion, oil, leaves, and insects through the pool’s water filtration system, AQUAQUARTZ helps to save both time and money. Additionally, AQUAQUARTZ pool filter sand is natural and free of harmful chemicals.
Volleyball Courts
Sand volleyball makes for a great summertime activity with friends or family. An ideal volleyball court should play like the beach (or better) with clean, off-white, angular silica sand to give players secure footing, greater confidence, and improved safety.
BESTSAND™ Volleyball Sand is an ideal blend of high-quality silica sands, ensuring excellent drainage and resistance to compacting and crusting. This results in a reliable playing surface that provides players with the stability needed for flawless serves and spikes, while minimizing the need for frequent court maintenance.
Grills
Whether you prefer charcoal, propane, or wood smoked – grilling is a surefire way to bring family and friends together for a delicious summertime meal. Backyard barbeques are an essential summer staple and silica sand is a factor that makes them possible.
INCAST® high-purity foundry sand, with fine-tuned process control and consistent grade distribution, is an essential component in the production of certain parts of grills. Foundries use silica sand to create cores and molds that are later used to produce parts for your favorite grill. The next time you fire up your grill for some burgers and hot dogs, keep in mind how silica sand plays a role in making dinner.
Wine & Beer Bottles
Ice cold adult beverages make a great accompaniment to any summertime gathering, but without sand, that glass bottle holding your favorite brand of beer or wine wouldn’t exist.
GLASSIL® high-purity glass sand is produced from whole grain crystalline silica sand and, thanks to its consistent size distribution, offers glass manufacturers a wide array of benefits. GLASSIL was designed to perfectly produce architectural glass, automotive glass, container glass, tableware and decorative wares, fiberglass and silicates.
Covia’s Quality Silica Sand Delivers Summertime Entertainment
Silica sand is a crucial component in numerous summer pastimes, offering immense versatility. From barbecuing and savoring refreshing beverages to playing volleyball for hours of pure fun, silica sand enhances the overall summer experience. At Covia, we take pride in Delivering on Promise to provide high-quality silica sand, carefully sourced from our mines spanning North America. To discover more about our silica sand, click here.
To learn more about Covia’s process and the industries we serve, contact us today.
