What are bagged materials?

Bagged materials are materials that are sold, delivered or removed in bags. On a building site this usually means sand, gravel, soil, cement, masonry mortar, rubble and construction and demolition waste in bags or large bulk bags. The Dutch term is zakkengoed, which can also refer to the fabric the bags are made of.

Bulk bags

Large bags are called bulk bags, big bags or FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers). A common size holds roughly one cubic metre, but smaller and larger versions exist. Depending on the contents, a bulk bag is uncoated, coated (dust-tight), ventilated or fitted with an inner liner.

What the bags are made of

Traditionally, sacks were made of textiles such as jute, cotton, canvas or linen. For building materials, woven plastic such as polypropylene is now the norm: it is stronger and does not rot.

Application

• Small bags (cement, mortar, tile adhesive) suit small jobs: you buy exactly what you need and can carry it by hand.
• Bulk bags of sand or gravel are often more practical for larger projects, because a crane lorry places them straight onto your drive.
• Waste bags for rubble and soil are an alternative to a skip when there is no room for one.

Practical tips

1. Check the safe working load: it is printed on the label of the bulk bag. Never overfill it and always lift by all loops at once.
2. Volume is not weight: a cubic metre of sand or gravel is much heavier than a cubic metre of topsoil. Check whether the crane, pavement or drive can take the weight.
3. Keep cement dry: bags of cement and mortar absorb moisture and go lumpy. Store them off the ground and covered.
4. Never just bag asbestos: asbestos-containing waste must be packed and disposed of according to local regulations or by a licensed contractor.
5. Public road: if a bulk bag stays on the street for a while, you may need permission from the local authority.

Related terms

• Cement
• Gravel
• Gravel and chippings
• Aggregates

Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.