Best Polymeric Sand Reviews For Pavers of 2024 (Top 3 Picks)

Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Heenan

Polymeric sand has gradually become essential when filling up paver joints.

While you definitely can use regular sand, the results will be far inferior to that of polymeric sand.

Because of its improved durability and resistance to weeds and ant infestations, there is no alternative to polymeric sand in this regard.

But, which one should you buy among so many polymeric jointing sand companies?

How will you know what makes any polymeric sand product suitable? We aim to answer those questions with our best polymeric sand reviews.

In this article, we have selected three of our top picks to review and provided a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you get the best sand for paver.

Best Polymeric Sand Reviews For Pavers

In this section of the article, we will go through 3 of the best sand for pavers available today.

These products are great and will serve you well, but you must know which is the right fit for you. And that is precisely what we want to accomplish with these reviews.

#1. Dominator Polymeric Sand Review

Specifications

• Uses the SOLID-FLEX technology for the perfect balance of durability and flexibility
• It has an excellent coverage rate of 20-80 square feet for every 45lb bag of polymer sand.
• The poly sand particles are very small and granular for maximum ease
• It has just the right thickness for providing support to the paver blocks

This high-quality polymeric sand is generally suitable for professionals who have experience in this field. While beginners are suggested not to opt for this, that doesn’t mean this product is tough to use.

This polymer sand perfectly balances flexibility and durability and offers sufficient instructions to help newbies.

One of the most impressive things about this product is its innovative formula. Because of this formula, this polymeric sand can avoid any and all sorts of haze.

We mentioned its impeccable balance of durability and flexibility before. That balance is owed to the SOLID-FLEX technology used in this sand polymeric. That means it uses stronger polymers than usual to give you a much stronger product.

This poly sand’s exceptional durability is also due to its resistance to multiple harmful factors. These include ant infestations, weeds, and harsh weather. Even the harshest weather cannot affect this sand after it has been appropriately cured.

Whatever lack the sand may have that may make it harder for beginners, it makes up for its detailed instructions. The granularity of the sand also makes them very easy to spread and fill joints with.

And the wide array of color choices is also a nice touch. The color options include Titanium, Caramel, Charcoal, and Taupe.

However, the only massive issue with this polymer sand is that it may require some clean-up after it has been used.

Verdict
While this joint sand may bother you a little with the clean-up, there are easy ways to clean them, which doesn’t take away from what an exceptional product this is.

It is very rare to get such an impeccable balance of durability and flexibility. So do not hesitate to check this product out.

#2. Alliance Gator Polymeric Super Sand Review

Specifications

• Can flex and self-heal at the same time
• It sets faster than almost any polymeric sand
• Resistant to all harmful factors like weeds, ant infestations, and harsh weather
• It comes with very granular sand particles that can be used in even the tightest joints

This high-quality polymeric joint sand would be defined as our premium pick. It is quite expensive compared to other products on the list. But the sand makes up for its higher cost with a fantastic performance that delivers on all fronts.

Firstly, let us talk about its durability. This sand can flex and self-heal, and thus, it is long-lasting.

Not only that, but it is also resistant to ant infestations, weeds, and harsh weather conditions. The use of a comparatively stronger binding agent also contributes to durability.

Secondly, this product avoids haze at all costs. It requires absolutely no washing before use.

Thirdly, the sand dries up and settles in only an hour. It also cures exceptionally fast, especially in dry weather conditions.

Further adding to the convenience, the product also comes with detailed instructions regarding its usage.

Like the last product, this one is also quite versatile. It can be used on almost any surface, including patios, footpaths, pool decks, and pavers.

Lastly, this sand is entirely waterproof. Thus even in harsh rainy weather conditions, it will not be affected much. Also, you can easily store this sand outside without fear of rain harming it.

The only potential flaw with this product besides the price would be the limited color options.

Verdict
In a way, this product offers the best of both of the first products. The only issue is the fact that it is very pricey.

But if you can afford this product, you should definitely pursue it.

#3. Buddingco Polymeric Sand Review

Specifications

• Can cover at least 18 square feet with an 18lb bag of polymeric sand
• Very granular structure
• It uses a fantastic formula that can prevent erosion from rain, freeze, or wind

This high-quality polymeric sand is generally the best sand for pavers among the masses. Multiple factors make it such, but the low and affordable price is a huge reason for this.

Besides that, its versatility, low dry time, and durability make it a very attractive option.

Speaking of versatility, this sand is one of the very few that can be applied on multiple surfaces. Besides filling up paver joints, you can use this product on parking spots, footpaths, patios, etc.

Another thing that makes it popular among people is how easy it is to use. The factors contributing to making it such are granularity and coverage.

The sand particles are very small, and thus, it is very easy to fill up joints with them. And the sand also has fantastic coverage. An 18-pound bag can cover at least 18 sq. feet.

The drying and curing time in this polymeric sand is also exceptional. It dries and settles properly in only a couple of hours. After that, it doesn’t even take 24 hours to cure completely.

But the sand has some flaws that need to be discussed. Firstly, it doesn’t come with any detailed instructions whatsoever. Moreover, they also don’t come with many color options.

Verdict
While this may not be the best polymeric sand for paver joints out there, it most certainly is a quality one. It is quite excellent in multiple departments.

If you aren’t experienced in using polymeric sand, this might be the perfect product for you.

Best Polymeric Sand – Buyer’s Guide

By now, you should have a clear idea about the three best products that we have reviewed. But before you buy any product, it is always wise to adequately research the standard features of said product.

The same applies to polymeric sand as well.

In this section, we will go through the standard features of polymeric sand to give you a comprehensive buying guide.

Polymeric Sand vs. Ordinary Sand

Understanding the distinction between the two types of sand will go a long way to help you understand the benefits of polymeric sand.

Firstly, polymeric sand is usually much more durable than ordinary sand. Polymeric sand is made by integrating fine sand particles with other polymers.

When this sand is wetted with water, a binding agent activates that holds the sand together. Thus, it can last much longer than any ordinary sand.

Secondly, polymeric sand comprises about 85% Quartz and Crystalline Silica. These materials are generally very resistant to rain. Thus, even in harsh conditions, the polymeric sand will not be affected.

Lastly, polymeric sand can resist weeds and ant infestations much more efficiently than ordinary sand. If you use ordinary sand, you are bound to see weeds grow and ants breed in it after a certain period.

But you will not have this issue if you use polymeric sand.

Granularity

When you buy any product, you should always ensure it is easy to use. There is no point in buying something that will only increase your hassles.

When it comes to polymeric sand, you can check whether it is easy to use by checking its granularity.

Granularity refers to how small the sand particles are. To get the best results, the sand particles should be as small as possible.

The more granular the particles are, the easier it will be to sweep them into the paver joints.

Polymer

The thing that separates polymeric sand from ordinary sand is the polymer used in it. This polymer is what acts as the binding agent that holds the sand particle together for a longer period of time.

So you should pay close attention to the quality of the polymers used in the sand you buy.

You are reading reviews online (like this one), and customer reviews are a good way of knowing whether the polymeric sand you are buying has suitable quality polymers or not.

What Is Polymeric Sand?

As we have mentioned, polymeric sand is a particular type of paver sand. It is made by integrating fine sand particles with polymers.

When water is added to it, a strong binding agent activates. This binding agent is responsible for making the sand particles stick together for long periods of time.

Polymeric sand is best used to fill the joints of pavers. By sweeping them in between pavers, the pavers can be solidified, and thus, they can stay intact for a long period of time.

Regarding composition, about 85% of the polymeric sand is made of quartz and crystalline.

They provide much-needed weather resistance to the sand. The remaining part contains various polymers that ultimately act as binding agents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the best polymeric sands:

Question#1. How to remove polymeric sand from Pavers?

Answer: During any work, mistakes are bound to happen. That is truer when working with something as delicate as polymeric sand.

Using polymeric sand more than required or spilling some on the surface of pavers are very common mistakes that professionals often make.

If you spilled your polymeric sand on the surface of your paver and are having a tough time cleaning it, this answer will help you greatly.

The best way to clean said sand off the paver is to use a water-pressure washer. At 180 degrees Fahrenheit, use the washer on the surface to remove the polymeric sand.

Question#2. Why is my polymeric sand not hardening?

Answer: Generally, polymeric sand takes 2-3 hours to settle properly. It cures completely after 24 hours. After this period, it can support foot traffic.

Generally, it can handle vehicular traffic after about 48 hours. But we often hear complaints of polymeric sand not hardening even after 24 hours.

If your polymeric sand doesn’t harden after a long period of time, then it is being exposed to moisture in some way. Polymeric sand cannot harden when it is wet. That should be simple enough.

To avoid this issue, you should keep a close eye on the weather forecast. If the surface on which you will apply polymeric sand is wet due to rain, it will be wiser to use the sand after some days.

It would be best to get rid of any unnecessary moisture before applying polymeric sand.

Excessive moisture can result from accumulated stone dust, water from sprinklers, lousy weather, or lack of proper compaction.

Question#3. Where to buy polymeric sand?

Answer: The store from which you bought your pavers should have a wide variety of polymeric sand available. You only need to look for the right one.

In this case, you should actively look for the polymeric sand that you want to buy. If you cannot find your desired brand of polymeric sand, you can check your local home depot.

They are an excellent source for almost any product, and you will likely find your desired type of polymeric sand there.

Lastly, there are multiple online stores from which you can buy the polymeric sand you want.

Question #4. How much polymeric sand do I need?

Answer: The amount of polymeric sand you need depends on your work’s nature; the paver’s size is what matters here. Depending on the dimensions of your paver, your requirements will vary.

Suppose you are making a paver patio. Generally, the dimensions of a patio are 16 by 18 feet. In this case, the tight joints will need about 3-4 50lb bags of polymeric sand.

For the broader joints, you will need a little more. For that, at least 5-10 50lb bags are required.

This calculator should help you determine the exact amount of polymeric sand you will need depending on the dimensions of the patio, walkway, or driveway you want to build.

Question #5. How to make polymeric sand?

Answer: As we have mentioned, 80-90% of the polymeric sand is silica, like any other ordinary sand. Two types of silica are used in polymeric sand. These are quartz silica and crystalline silica.

The ratio of quartz silica to crystalline silica depends on the brand of polymeric sand. Since quartz is one of the hardest materials, a higher ratio of silica quarts makes the sand stronger and more durable.

But if it is too high, then there is a risk of the binding agent not activating properly.

Speaking of the binding agent, the chemical binder is what makes the polymeric sand special. This binder activates when it is in contact with water. Because of this, the flexibility and durability of the sand are enhanced.

This binder can be an artificially made polymer or a man-made organic binder. Generally, the artificial binder provides better performance.

Some types of polymeric sand also use Portland cement. This generally acts as either a filler or a binder. But if the amount of Portland cement is too much, the sand may become toxic, and its efficiency may reduce significantly.

Question #6. How much is polymeric sand?

Answer: Generally, polymeric sand is relatively inexpensive. But they are pricier than ordinary sand. The general price of any polymeric sand depends on multiple factors.

Firstly, the price may vary depending on the brand of polymeric sand. For example, the Alliance Gator Dust costs much more than the Buddingco polymeric paver sand.

You can check the prices of different brands online to make a more informed decision.

Secondly, different stores have different price tags on their product. Some stores may even offer the goods at a discount price.

Question #7. How long does polymeric sand take to harden?

Answer: The drying time of polymeric paver sand depends on the type of brand you are using. External factors like moisture or harsh weather may also influence the drying time of the sand.

Generally, the sand should settle in about 2-4 hours if all conditions are ideal. But it is still loose and not ready for foot traffic. After about 24 hours, it dries enough to endure foot traffic.

If you want to drive your vehicle over it, you will need to wait a bit longer, as it takes at least 48 hours to be ready.

Question #8. Is polymeric sand safe?

Answer: While polymeric sands can be very effective in the paver joints, they can also be pretty toxic and dangerous. So it is essential to take proper safety measures while using this.

It is also better to contact a professional, as they understand the safety measure better.

Polymeric sands contain harmful polymers that can severely damage the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract of the human body.

This can lead to corrosion in all of the mentioned organs. Furthermore, it can cause burns in the mouth and throat stomach in case of accidental ingestion.  You can use a few of its alternatives.

Question #9. When is the best time to install polymeric sand?

Answer: The right time for installing polymeric sands depends on the weather primarily. Firstly, it is always wise to start work early in the morning.

That way, the sand can be exposed to sufficient sunlight and thus will harden easily. Therefore, it can dry and endure foot traffic as early as possible.

But aside from that, keeping close attention to the weather forecast is also essential. You should be aware of when it’s going to rain and when it’s going to be sunny.

And you should also avoid using polymeric sands the day after it rains for reasons we have already discussed.

Question #10. Is polymeric sand better than regular sand?

Answer: We already covered this topic in our buying guide section. In short, polymeric sands offer much higher durability, flexibility, and resistance to weeds and ant infestations than regular sand. In most cases, polymeric sand far outclasses regular sand.

But polymeric sands can leave some stains that are very difficult to clean. In inexperienced hands, your hassle may increase.

Furthermore, there is quite a safety risk associated with polymeric sands, which may be harmful if you aren’t careful enough.

Final Words

While polymeric sand may have some harmful aspects, it can be a huge asset if you are careful.

It works much better than any regular sand and greatly enhances the strength of the paver blocks.

Thus your patios, walkways, or driveways will have much stronger construction just because of this one particular ingredient.

So don’t waste time and get the polymeric sand you need today.

We hope we can guide you through everything you need to know with our best polymeric sand reviews.

Refer to these reviews whenever you need them and get the polymeric sand that can fulfill all your needs.