What is Polymeric Sand?
Polymeric sand is a joint sand compound infused with water and activated polymers
Polymeric sand is a joint sand compound infused with water and activated polymers. This blend significantly increases the effectiveness of the sanding material, allowing it to fill the joints between concrete and brick pavers effortlessly.
Please keep reading to learn more about this handy product, its uses, and its benefits.
What goes into polymeric sand?
Polymeric sand combines various grades of masonry silica sand with a blend of polymers. Certain polymeric sand products also include cement. However, these products usually offer little flexibility and will fail even under normal traffic conditions. Plus, they can leave a white haze on the hardscape if not used correctly.
Why use polymeric sand?
Homeowners primarily use polymeric sand for filling paver joints with wider gaps. The sand provides additional stability by locking pavers into place. This is especially crucial for surfaces that homeowners regularly hose off, such as the patio or pool deck. Regardless of the pressure, the polymeric sand will prevent pavers from shifting, thus preserving the integrity and aesthetic appeal of the paver area.
In addition, polymeric sand helps reduce weed growth and insect penetration since these pesky intruders can’t permeate through the hardened sand.
How to choose the appropriate polymeric sand
Nowadays, homeowners can choose between many polymeric sand options, from big box stores and specialty retailers to online vendors. High-quality polymeric sand should:
Harden relatively quickly
Offer flex technology
Achieve a desirable level of hardness when fully cured
These characteristics determine the sand’s performance level. However, the required performance level depends on the characteristics of a paver area.
Homeowners can purchase lesser-grade jointing sand if the area gets less traffic. These products typically cost less but often contain concrete and only come in one or two color options.
High-traffic paver areas require high-quality polymeric sand. Besides performing significantly better, these products usually come in various colors, allowing homeowners to find the perfect option for their projects.
The benefits of using polymeric sand over regular sand
Using polymeric instead of traditional sand for paver jointing offers several advantages, such as:
Polymeric sand won’t wash away during heavy rains and similar weather conditions.
With polymeric sand, pavers won’t shift after pressure-washing the area.
Homeowners don’t need to replace polymeric sand continuously.
Polymeric sand doesn’t hold in moisture, thus preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
Using polymeric sand instead of its regular counterpart saves homeowners time, money, and effort.
How to purchase polymeric sand
When purchasing polymeric sand, homeowners should look for a reputable vendor that offers quality products at reasonable prices and provides a good customer experience. Professional suppliers have many convenient locations for local pick-up or delivery to the job site.
North Valley Stone Supply LLC is a family-owned and operated hardscape materials company serving Phoenix and surrounding areas. We strive to bring our customers natural stone and quality materials at affordable prices. Call us today at (623)244-8657.