Sand

Broadcast sand is the aggregate that gets thrown into a wet coat to build texture, slip resistance and film thickness. It is supplied here in 50 pound bags in two grades: AC-Silica 20-40 and Polycoat 16-30. The numbers are mesh sizes, so 16-30 is the coarser of the two and 20-40 is finer, which is the whole basis for choosing between them.

Grade selection comes down to how aggressive the finish needs to be. A coarser 16-30 broadcast gives a more pronounced texture and more bite, which suits ramps, wash down areas, wet process floors, exterior walkways and anywhere a slip claim is a real risk. The finer 20-40 gives a subtler texture that is easier on bare feet and easier to clean, which suits interior commercial floors, garages and residential work where the customer wants grip without a surface that scours a mop.

In system position, sand goes into the wet base coat or into an intermediate coat, broadcast either to refusal for a full aggregate system or lightly for a controlled anti slip texture. Once it has cured, the excess is swept or vacuumed off and a topcoat is pulled over it. That topcoat has to be built heavy enough to lock the aggregate down, because a starved topcoat over sand leaves exposed grain that tears rollers and mop heads.

The practical thing to know is that texture is a customer conversation, not just a spec. Broadcast heavier than the customer expects and you get complaints about cleaning. Broadcast lighter and the first wet day generates a slip complaint. Do a sample board in the actual grade before you commit a whole floor.