Salt & Sand 20/80

Salt & Sand 20/80 — Traction-First Mix for Steeper Surfaces & Budget-Conscious Crews

Our 20/80 Salt & Sand Mix is 20% rock salt blended with 80% coarse sand — the budget-friendly traction-first formula for crews and properties where keeping people upright matters more than melting every last bit of ice. Plow operators reach for this on long routes where they need spread-economy. Property managers run it on graded walkways and parking lot ramps where traction is the safety story.

At a glance

What it's good for

• Plow routes and municipal road maintenance on a budget
• Steep driveways, sloped lots, and parking ramps
• Walkways and ADA paths where slips are the safety risk
• Stretching a winter material budget through a long, snowy season

How much do I need?

For a 10,000 sq ft parking lot, plan on roughly 1.5–2 cubic yards per application. Steeper surfaces (ramps, sloped driveways) get hit a little heavier — the sand does most of the traction work. Stockpile 5–10 yards before the season for a typical small commercial property.

How Salt & Sand 20/80 compares

• vs. Salt & Sand 50/50: 50/50 has more salt for stronger melt. 20/80 is traction-first — better for slopes and steep surfaces.
• vs. Straight Rock Salt: Salt alone melts but doesn't add grip. 20/80 adds physical traction that doesn't go away when melt stops.
• vs. Treated Rock Salt: Treated is straight melt for cold snaps. 20/80 is traction-first for slopes. Different jobs.
• vs. Pure Sand: Some properties use just sand for traction (no salt). 20/80 adds modest melt without the cost of more salt content.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use 20/80 vs. 50/50?
20/80 is for surfaces where TRACTION is the priority — slopes, ramps, ADA walkways. 50/50 is for surfaces where MELT matters more — flat lots, sidewalks in moderate temps. Plow operators often run both depending on the route.

Does the sand stay on surfaces after the snow melts?
Mostly yes — which is a feature for traction but means sweeping up in spring. Most commercial properties budget a spring sweep-up after the salt-sand season.

Is 20/80 OK on landscaped areas?
The sand portion is fine, but the salt component can damage adjacent lawn and plants if it migrates in spring runoff. Avoid heavy application directly against turf and beds.

How much salt is actually in 20/80?
20% by volume — so a cubic yard of mix contains about 500 lbs of salt and 2,000 lbs of sand. Lighter melt than pure salt but real traction performance.

How much does a cubic yard weigh?
About 2,500 lbs per cubic yard.

Do you deliver in the Boston area?
Yes — bulk dump truck delivery across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Plymouth Counties.

Bulk dump truck delivery, no minimum order. We deliver winter mixes across Plymouth, Norfolk, Middlesex, and Suffolk County.

Pair with our salt & sand 50/50 when you need a stronger melt component, or our untreated rock salt for direct-melt applications on flat surfaces.

Order today — the traction-first mix that keeps plow routes moving and walkways safe.

• Same-day & next-day delivery available — weekends fill fast, order early.
• Curbside or on-property drop — let us know at checkout.
• Up to 6 yds per load for dense materials (gravel, soil, rock, sand) — mulch loads carry up to 10 yds. $100 flat rate, no minimum order.
• Job site delivery available — live load tickets and signed BOLs on request.
• Questions? Call (617) 645-0987 or see full delivery info →