alternative sand school surface

[buttercup]

Looking at putting in an exercise area, sand seems a little pricey, was wondering if anyone and used anything cheaper - chipped rubber or carpet - if that is any better/worse/cheaper ?

 

[Billboy1]

you'll need sand for your base then top it with something BUT do it right 1st time whatever or you'll regret it drainage most important issue

 

[Alchad]

Other haof started off with wood chippings because they were cheap but then changed that for sand/rubber mix because she could never get on with the clippings because they were ‘slippy”. A neighbour has the shredded carpet and really likes that. But I think I’d agree with Billboy, do it right first time and and don’t try to economise.

 

[Woolless]

We've just put in a shredded carpet arena and early indications are really positive. Silica sand was ££££ and we're not a million miles away from a quarry that supplies it. As above, properly drained and prepared base to lay it on very important.

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

We used silica sand with a topping of wire free chopped rubber, been down 20 years now & never a problem with drainage . Don’t be tempted to use river sand as it doesn’t drain properly after heavy rain .

 

[Glass half full]

I have two schools, sand and rubber originally for years, then added chopped car interiors and its a great surface.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

I have two schools, sand and rubber originally for years, then added chopped car interiors and its a great surface.

That’s just greedy! I’m trying to resist building one!

 

[buttercup]

Would it be better to spend more money and get someone in to do it right, rather than try to do it myself ?

 

[Alchad]

Would it be better to spend more money and get someone in to do it right, rather than try to do it myself ?

Depends on several thing. Firstly how really DIY competent are you and how much time do you have to spare, secondly are you talking a full sand school with proper post and rail fencing or just a surface with containing boards. I did ours with the help of a local contractor who levelled the ground and spread the drainage stone but did the post hole digging (auger on tractor) and fencing myself, but it took some time. As I’m retired, not a problem. The other thing to consider is - me being cynical - is that the professional arena builders tend to use a large mark up when quoting, on the basis that they think folk who want arenas can afford to pay through the nose. Might be worth checking out in your area who has had one done recently and get recommendation.

Alchad

 

[buttercup]

Thanks - just a "simple" sand school, with some fencing to do, quite good at DIY with digger, but the amount of sand is putting me off !

 

[Billboy1]

Thanks - just a "simple" sand school, with some fencing to do, quite good at DIY with digger, but the amount of sand is putting me off !

you need membrane over drains and soil scrape then 6 inches of clean drainage stone then a membrane then 4inches of silica sand and 2 inches of rubber crumb or any other surface you want to add.

 

[Daddy Pig]

I've seen many cases of the membrane coming up through the surface so when I did ours i just scraped off topsoil then membrane then 6" crush concrete then 4" sand and 1 load of startrack rubber, been down nearly 20 years now with just a top up of sand 2 years ago

 

[Devonian]

We've just done a 60 x 30 arena here. Got local guy with 13 tonne excavator to level the site, dig the drains and level stone and surface, but I did everything else. Hauling soil, laying drainage pipe and stone, 2 x Membranes post and rail fence around it and carried all sand in with handler. Was a big project and was really daunted by it to start with as I knew nothing about them. But glad I did it now. And in hindsight could probably have done the digger work myself, but wanted to make sure it was spot on. Was tempted to cut corners and costs but I think we did right by doing it properly the first time round..... Well I hope so.... Time will tell. Did it for about half the price that we were quoted by specialist arena builders. Still wasn't cheap though. Just as well the Mrs has payed for it!!!!!

 

[buttercup]

So what was the price of the specialist arena builder ?

 

[RhysT]

Not much change of 30k to build a 40 x 20 to a decent spec now with costs gone through the roof
Any one looking for surface please contact me

www.greylandsstud.Co.uk

www.Facebook.com/greylandsfibre