Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Foamed glass aggregate is a lightweight, cellular-glass aggregate used for sub-slab insulation, lightweight fill and backfill. The right purchase is not determined by a label such as “1–3 inches” or by a historic price per cubic yard: compare the quoted product’s sieve gradation, density, strength test basis, packaging and delivered, installed cost with the project specification.
This guide explains what the published numbers mean, how to request a comparable quote, how shipping and compaction change the quantity you pay for, and which questions to resolve before material arrives. The figures below are product-specific or report scenarios, not universal limits or current market prices.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What is foamed glass aggregate, and where is it used?
Foamed glass aggregate is made by expanding recycled glass into a rigid, closed-cell material. The resulting particles provide low weight, thermal resistance and drainage while acting as a granular fill. Common applications include insulation beneath slabs, lightweight embankment or floor fill, foundation backfill and other situations where reducing dead load or excavation pressure is valuable.
Published properties vary by manufacturer and grade. For example, the Glavel product page reports an R-value of 1.7 per inch and a 42-degree friction angle for its product, alongside density and strength figures. Those values should be treated as that product’s data, not as a specification for every foamed-glass aggregate.
Popular on Amazon
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces
- Complete a wide range of applications with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 300 UWO, and an impact driver delivering up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
Before ordering, identify the design requirement the aggregate must satisfy: maximum dead load, minimum thermal resistance, allowable bearing or compression performance, drainage behavior, grade thickness, compaction procedure and any environmental or geotextile requirements. A supplier can then quote the grade and delivery method that match the design rather than a nominally similar material.
What size particles does foamed glass aggregate come in?
Particle size is reported in more than one way. A nominal range describes the largest and smallest particles a supplier expects, while a sieve table shows the percentage passing specific openings. The sieve distribution is the useful comparison for design and ordering.
| Published description | What it says | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Glavel product description | Particles described as 1–3 inches | Use only as a quick visual description; request the full grading table for the quoted lot. |
| Glavel specification | 100% passing 4 inches; 85–100% passing 2 inches; 0–15% passing 3/8 inch | Compare these sieve limits with the project’s void, drainage, bedding or installation requirements. |
| Foamglass 40 (UK product example) | 20–40 mm | Shows why a metric nominal range cannot be assumed equivalent to another supplier’s “1–3 inch” grade. |
The Glavel grading limits are published in its three-part specification, which cites ASTM C136 for gradation. A 20–40 mm product is a different stated range from a 1–3 inch product (approximately 25–76 mm), but the labels still do not reveal how much material falls between the endpoints. Ask for the sieve sizes, percentage passing, sampling date and quality-control documentation for the exact product being quoted.
Also clarify whether the quoted volume is loose, compacted or packaged volume. Large particles can bridge around utilities or form larger voids; fines can affect drainage and compaction. The designer should establish the acceptable gradation rather than selecting solely by the marketing name.
What strength rating do I need?
There is no single market-wide “strength rating” for foamed glass aggregate. A strength number is meaningful only when its test method, deformation point and material state match the design calculation.
Glavel publishes 115–125 psi at 25% compaction for its product. That is a manufacturer result tied to a stated compaction condition. By contrast, draft infrastructure criteria in the 2025 Illinois Tollway Research Program report use EN 1097-11 loads at 10% and 20% deformation. Those are not automatically interchangeable with a value reported at 25% compaction.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Put these questions in the submittal request:
- Which standard and test method produced the value?
- Is the result a load at a specified deformation, a pressure at a compaction percentage, or a design criterion?
- Was the sample loose, precompressed, confined or otherwise conditioned before testing?
- Was the test performed on the same gradation and density as the quoted product?
- Is the number a minimum, a typical result or a range?
Do not approve a product merely because its headline psi value exceeds a project number. Have the design professional compare like-for-like results and account for the aggregate’s intended thickness, confinement, moisture condition and load duration.
Also popular on Amazon
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
Which density and moisture numbers matter for freight and design?
Density affects both structural dead load and the number of truckloads required. Moisture state matters because a moist load weighs more than the same volume of dry aggregate.
| Source and condition | Published figure | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Glavel product page, dry bulk | 9–10 lb/ft³ | Manufacturer figure for its product. |
| Glavel product page, moist bulk | 11–12 lb/ft³ | Use for planning delivered weight, not as a universal moisture allowance. |
| Glavel 2026 specification, as manufactured | Maximum 15 lb/ft³ dry | The specification states this maximum under ASTM C29 bulk-density testing. |
| Glavel 2026 specification, as delivered | Maximum 18 lb/ft³ moist | Product-specific delivered condition. |
| Illinois infrastructure draft | 15 lb/ft³ dry and 20 lb/ft³ moist maximums | A separate draft specification context, not a universal market limit. |
The specification’s exact wording is that the as-manufactured aggregate has a maximum dry bulk density of 15 pounds per cubic foot under ASTM C29. Read that as Glavel’s requirement. It does not establish a threshold for every supplier, jurisdiction or project.
When requesting freight, ask whether the supplier is quoting by cubic yard, by weight or by the package. Confirm whether the stated density is loose bulk, compacted, dry, moist, as manufactured or as delivered. A truck that appears to have enough volume may still be limited by legal weight, and a design quantity based on compacted volume may require more loose material.
How much does foamed glass aggregate cost delivered?
There is no defensible single current delivered price without a destination, volume, grade, packaging and unloading plan. Freight can be a large part of the total, so compare a dated delivered-and-installed quote rather than a material-only number.
| Source and year | Scenario or published figure | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Tollway Research Program, 2025 | $100 per bulk yd³ for material and bagging; $27.30 per bulk yd³ freight in a Philadelphia-to-Chicago example; $10/yd³ placement; $169.10 per compacted in-place yd³ under the report’s compaction factor | A report scenario, not a price index or prediction of your project’s quote. |
| Illinois Tollway Research Program, 2025 | $135/yd³ in a hypothetical case using a plant 10 miles from Chicago | Illustrates how a nearby source can change freight economics; it is still hypothetical. |
| Journal of Light Construction, 2022 | $65/yd³ plus ground transit | Historical context with a different date and pricing basis. |
| Green Building Advisor, 2022 | $70–$80/yd³ | Historical published range; do not present it as a current delivered price. |
The Illinois report’s $169.10 in-place figure includes its stated assumptions about material, bagging, freight, placement and conversion from bulk to compacted volume. The report’s separate $135 scenario assumes a nearby plant and 10-mile delivery. Neither number includes a promise that a supplier will quote the same amount today.
For your budget, separate the costs into:
- Aggregate grade and quoted volume.
- Packaging or bagging.
- Freight to the exact site address.
- Delivery appointment, waiting time, access or other surcharges.
- Unloading equipment and operator.
- Placement, spreading and compaction.
- Geotextile, edge restraint, drainage details or other specified accessories.
- Taxes, minimum order charges and allowance for waste or breakage.
Then convert the total to the designed in-place cubic yard, not just the loose material price. Keep the supplier’s conversion factor with the quote so competing bids use the same basis.
How does delivery format change the quote and site plan?
Packaging controls truck capacity, unloading equipment, labor and scheduling. The Glavel infrastructure guide describes bulk walking-floor deliveries of about 130 yd³ per truck and bagged flatbed deliveries of up to 72 yd³. It also describes typical scheduling of three to four weeks after order confirmation. These are planning figures; confirm the current configuration and lead time with the supplier.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
Bulk walking-floor loads
A walking-floor trailer can unload itself, reducing the need for a loader at the discharge point. Verify that the site has a suitable approach, turning radius, overhead clearance, stable ground and a place for the trailer to discharge. “130 yd³” is a nominal load description, not permission to exceed the truck’s legal weight or the site’s receiving capacity.
Bagged flatbed and supersack loads
Bagged deliveries can reach up to 72 yd³ per flatbed in the infrastructure guide. Supersacks require equipment such as an excavator, loader or forklift to move and empty them. Confirm the lifting capacity, reach, attachment and ground conditions before the truck arrives. Ask whether the bags are disposable, how they are opened and whether the driver is responsible only for curbside placement.
Residential palletized bags
The residential guide describes palletized 3 yd³ bags and says the buyer is responsible for unloading. A residential driveway may not support a loaded truck or a forklift, so obtain an access review and unloading plan in writing. Never assume that a bulk delivery arrangement can be substituted at the last minute.
What should a supplier quote include?
Send the same written scope to every supplier. A useful quote should make the physical and commercial assumptions visible.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Product identity: manufacturer, grade, nominal size and the current technical data sheet.
- Gradation: sieve sizes and percentage passing, not only a range such as 1–3 inches.
- Performance: density state, strength test method, deformation or compaction condition, and any thermal or friction values being relied upon.
- Quantity basis: loose cubic yards, compacted cubic yards, bags, pallets or weight; state the conversion factor.
- Packaging: bulk, supersack or palletized bag; cubic yards and approximate weight per unit.
- Freight: charge to the exact address, fuel or access surcharges, minimum order and waiting-time terms.
- Unloading: self-unloading truck or equipment required on site, including who supplies the operator.
- Schedule: production status, earliest shipment, delivery appointment and weather or access contingencies.
- Commercial terms: taxes, overage, breakage, damaged-bag responsibility, returns and payment terms.
- Documentation: quality-control certification, recycled-content statement and installation instructions.
Ask whether pickup is available and, if so, what vehicle volume, axle ratings and loading arrangements are required. A pickup that looks cheaper can transfer loading, tarping, travel and unloading costs to the buyer.
How do I estimate quantity for compacted fill?
Start with the designer’s required in-place volume and the product-specific compaction procedure. Do not apply a generic percentage to every foamed-glass product.
- Measure the designed area and finished thickness to obtain the required in-place volume.
- Confirm whether the design thickness is before or after compaction.
- Obtain the supplier’s recommended loose-to-compacted conversion or compaction factor for the exact grade.
- Convert the in-place volume into the loose or packaged quantity used for ordering.
- Add only the overage justified by the project’s geometry, handling risk and supplier terms.
- Check that truck capacity, legal weight and site storage can accommodate the order.
The Illinois report uses a stated compaction factor in converting its scenario to $169.10 per compacted in-place cubic yard. That factor belongs to the report’s assumptions; it is not a universal allowance. Put the factor and the volume basis on the purchase order so “one cubic yard” has the same meaning for the supplier, estimator and installer.
Also popular on Amazon
- Toolwiz 17-inch magnetic sweeper maintaining a load capacity of up to 8.8 pounds provides a perfect solution to the problem of clearing small ferrous metal objects, such as nails, tacks, bolts, and metal shavings from workshops or garage floors.
- Convenient and portable：17” is good for home, small workshop, or small yard as it is space-saving and more reachable for narrow areas. Perfect for collecting nails or small parts in the car, under the table, and in other nooks or crannies.
- Upgraded Handle Design: The handle features a sturdy, non-telescopic design to completely prevent slipping during use. By simply adding or removing the extension poles, the height can be adjusted to 3 different lengths: 18.9" (48 cm), 32.5" (82.5 cm), and 42.5" (108 cm) from ground to top. This customizable height helps prevent back bending and muscle strain, making your cleaning tasks effortless
- Flexible wheels: Upgrade wheel screws to avoid being too tight to spin or too loose. More comfortable 3-inch rubber wheels roll smoothly on carpet, grass, concrete, and hardwood floors. Just push and pull this rolling magnet-sweeper to pick up metal nails easily.
- Lightweight materials: The magnetic nail sweeper's compact and lightweight design makes the sweeping can be done anywhere you want, Push or pull it under the furniture, passing through the workshop floor, driveway, mud, grass, and gravel.
What installation details affect the purchase?
Installation instructions are product-specific. For the procedure described in Glavel’s residential guide, the supplier recommends a plate compactor under 200 lb and four to five complete passes. It warns against heavy tampers or compactors for that procedure. Follow the current guide for the quoted product and the project engineer’s requirements rather than transferring the recommendation to another grade.
Plan lifts, edge restraint and protection of adjacent work before delivery. Confirm how the aggregate will be spread around utilities, whether a separation layer is specified, and when the slab or pavement system can be placed. A nonwoven polypropylene geotextile may be specified in some assemblies; Glavel’s specification provides mass/class and tensile criteria for its example. That does not mean every project needs the same fabric.
Keep lightweight aggregate dry or protected when the design depends on a particular density, and document any water exposure or contamination. If the site receives a load that is visibly different from the approved submittal, quarantine it and contact the supplier and design professional before placement.
Which standards and submittals should I request?
Request the current technical data sheet, three-part specification, installation guide and quality-control certification for the exact product and grade. Glavel’s specification cites ASTM C136 for gradation and ASTM C29 for bulk density, requires at least 98% recycled glass and describes a closed-cell, non-leaching material. Those are Glavel’s published criteria, not a universal standard that automatically governs another supplier.
Have the design professional verify the governing ASTM, EN, local transportation or building specification. In particular, confirm whether the project calls for a particular deformation load, density maximum, recycled content, leachate documentation, geotextile class or compaction method. Do not infer EN/ASTM equivalence from similar-looking units or a shared word such as “compression.”
Recommended Free Tools
What are the most common buying mistakes?
- Comparing labels instead of sieve curves: “1–3 inch” does not identify the distribution within that range.
- Mixing strength test bases: a value at 25% compaction cannot be treated as an EN 1097-11 load at 10% deformation without engineering review.
- Using dry density for a moist freight estimate: the delivered load may weigh more.
- Quoting loose volume against compacted quantity: this creates an apparent shortage or an expensive surplus.
- Ignoring unloading: supersacks are not self-placing; equipment and an operator may be required.
- Using historical prices as a budget promise: freight distance, fuel, packaging and production capacity can dominate the total.
- Ordering before access is checked: a walking-floor trailer or flatbed may not be able to reach or discharge at the intended location.
- Transferring an installation recommendation: compactor weight and number of passes must match the product and design.
- Accepting an incomplete submittal: without test method, density state and gradation, a headline number is difficult to audit.
How should I choose between bulk and bagged supply?
Choose bulk when the site can receive a self-unloading trailer, the volume is large enough to use the truck efficiently and the crew can spread the material promptly. Choose bagged supply when access, phased placement or storage makes smaller controlled deliveries more practical, provided the site has the equipment and labor to unload the bags.
Make the decision using total installed cost and schedule, not the material line alone. A lower bulk price can be offset by a difficult access route or a required loader; a bagged shipment can cost more per cubic yard but reduce handling in a constrained area. Ask the supplier to quote both formats on the same compacted-volume basis when both are feasible.
Also popular on Amazon
- APPLY TO MOST DRILLS : 6 pieces screw extractors work with any drill and all the screw size or bolt (3-12mm), These extractor tools are used to reverse the damaged screw counterclockwise until it is released
- The DIY Tools for Men-Men won't know they need screw extractor set until they have one! This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and Unique tool gifts for men women. The must have stocking stuffers for men, gifts for dad, husband, father, him, guy teens, adult, Boyfriend, son on Birthdays, Christmas, Fathers Day or anniversary. Perfect Holiday Gifts Guide
- HIGH QUALITY - This damaged screw remover tool kit is made from High-Speed Steel H.S.S 4341# , which have high hardness of 63hrc, it's durable and easily to remove any damaged screws.
- EASY TO USE: Just two simple steps to get the job done - drill a hole with a cutting size using the right size screw extractor and easily remove the screw or bolt using the removal tool Hardness 63-65HRC: Titanium hardened steel material, more durable than most screw extractors on the market, better hardness and durability than others, buy with confidence and complete peace of mind
- Cool Gadgets for Men Dad Christmas Birthday Gifts for Men and Women - Men won't know they need screw extractor sets until they have one! Every screw has the potential to rust and break, which can create a situation where it cannot be removed. Owning it, there will be no anxiety about rusty screws. This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and unique tool gifts for men women. A must have stocking stuffer for men on birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day or anniversaries, a gifts for dads, husbands, fathers, him, adults, boyfriends, sons. The best and most practical and surprising Christmas gifts
How do I build a defensible purchase decision?
- Write the design basis: application, in-place volume, thickness, density limit, thermal requirement, load or deformation criterion and governing specification.
- Collect comparable submittals: current gradation, density, strength method, recycled content and installation instructions for each quoted grade.
- Normalize quantities: convert every offer to the same compacted in-place cubic yard and show the supplier’s factor.
- Normalize logistics: use the same delivery address, unloading assumption, equipment allowance and schedule requirement.
- Check risk terms: lead time, weather, damaged bags, breakage, overage, return policy and access charges.
- Obtain design approval: have the engineer or other responsible design professional confirm that the selected data satisfy the project.
- Place a precise order: identify grade, gradation, quantity basis, packaging, delivery appointment and required documents on the purchase order.
The best quote is the one whose assumptions can be checked. If a supplier cannot state the test basis, density condition, volume basis or unloading responsibility, the price is not yet comparable with a complete bid.
What should I ask before the truck is scheduled?
Confirm the number of cubic yards in each bag or truck and whether that number is loose or compacted. Confirm the freight charge to the exact address, access and waiting charges, unloading responsibility, current production capacity, delivery lead time, pickup options, vehicle limits and the treatment of breakage or overage. Reconfirm the approved grade and technical documents when the delivery date is set.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor planning only, the published infrastructure figures of 130 yd³ for a walking-floor load and up to 72 yd³ for a bagged flatbed are useful starting points; the residential guide’s palletized 3 yd³ bags are a different delivery format. Supplier confirmation controls the actual order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 3 cubic yard supersack of foamed glass aggregate weigh?
The Glavel residential guide gives an approximate weight of 900 lb for a 3-cubic-yard supersack. Treat that as a product-and-packing estimate: confirm the exact filled weight, lifting requirements and truck limits with the supplier before delivery.
Is a published 115–125 psi rating enough for my foundation or slab?
Not by itself. That figure is tied to a manufacturer’s 25% compaction condition; your engineer must compare the test method, deformation level, confinement and design load with the project criterion. A numerically higher value from a different test basis may still be the wrong comparison.
Can I arrange pickup instead of delivery?
Pickup may be available, but the supplier must confirm the vehicle type, legal payload, loading method and site access. Include your own fuel, travel time, tarping, unloading equipment and labor when comparing pickup with a delivered quote.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Does every foamed-glass project require geotextile fabric?
No. Fabric depends on the soil interface, drainage design, separation requirement and governing specification. Some product specifications describe a nonwoven polypropylene geotextile with defined properties, but the design professional should determine whether it is required and which class is appropriate.
