Polymer Versus Natural Sand for Pavers

February 14th, 2018 Posted in Sand
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Sand is an important part of any paver project. Whether you are building a patio for your backyard or a walkway to your front door, you need sand to create a solid base and to fill in the cracks between the pavers. While natural sand has been used for this purpose for many decades, another option is now available. Polymer sand can offer the same function for stabilizing pavers and may be able to outperform the natural sand for longevity.

What Is Polymer Sand?

Although there are many different types of polymer sands to choose from, the basic description is a dried, course sand that has had polymers added to it during the manufacturing process. These polymers are water-activated and create a solid mass when water is added. This makes it simple to create solid seams between pavers; just fill in the cracks, sweep away the excess, and sprinkle water on the polymer sand in the cracks. It quickly hardens and adds stability to any paving project.

The benefits of polymer sand versus natural sand is the solid filling for between the pavers. While natural sand can be washed away or allow ants or weeds to travel through it, polymer sand is solid and stays in place. It is better for deterring insects and weeds from your paved surface, making it much easier to maintain your paved area.

If you are planning a paver project, explore the options for polymer sand. It can make your paver surface last longer and easier to maintain, plus it is simple to use. Talk to your local landscape supplier to find the right polymer sand for your needs.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

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Is All Sand the Same?

November 30th, 2017 Posted in Landscape Materials Suppliers
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If you love to tackle do-it-yourself landscaping projects, you know getting the right materials is vital to obtaining the best results. The wrong grass type for your lawn can make it impossible to get the lush lawn you prefer or the incorrect fertilizer can do more harm than good. When a project calls for sand, the same is true. There are different types of sand that are best for certain applications. Knowing the difference can ensure you get the results you desire for your next project that calls for using sand.

Paving Stones

For sand to fill in around and under paving stone, you want a fine dust that will settle and compact quickly. A good choice for this project is granite dust that is easy to sweep into those cracks and will stay in place.

Leveling Lawns

When adding sand to level lawns in grass types that work best in a sandy soil, choose river sand.  Bermuda and Zoysia grasses are two lawns that require sand for the best results when leveling. Make sure to choose a well-screened river sand that will not add large chunks of gravel to your lawn.

Drainage for Soil

If adding sand to improve the drainage in your soil, river sand is best. 

Masonry Work

When adding sand for mortar when performing masonry work, a grittier white sand is a good choice. 

Sand Boxes for Play Areas

For a thick sand box for the kids, use white sand. This is also good for leveling property or landscaping areas.

Knowing the right type of sand to use is important since the consistency varies with the source. Talk to your landscape supplier before ordering sand for your project to ensure you get the right type for your project.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

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Building a Stone Patio? Don’t Forget Your Polymer Product

June 12th, 2017 Posted in Mortar and Adhesives
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If you have decided to build a beautiful stone patio, congratulations! Natural stone patios are a gorgeous addition to any home, adding value and quality to your outdoor area. Your main concern may be the type of stone you will use. Flagstones are a popular option due to their flat, long surface, but there are other options. However, there is another aspect you must consider. What type of polymer product will you use? To stabilize your stones, you need the right polymer to hold them in place and fill in the gaps between your stones. Here are two options. 

Sand Polymer

If the gaps between your stones will be thin, you may want to use sand polymer for filling in the cracks. Sand polymer is perfect for stones that are cut or made to fit closely together. If the gaps are as little as 1/8 of inch thick, you need the tiny granules of sand polymer to fit in this narrow area.

Gator Dust

For larger gaps between your stones, nothing works better than gator dust. This blend of polymer binders and stone effectively fills gaps up to four inches. It is also easy to use. You can spread the dust into the cracks, sweep away the excess and then just water the gator dust between the stones. This will harden, creating a solid substance like cement between your large patio stones.

Creating a beautiful stone patio can give you years of enjoyment at your home. Make sure you choose a quality supplier for both your stones and polymer product to ensure you get the best materials for your outdoor area.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

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Choosing the Right Polymer for Your Stone Pavers

December 3rd, 2015 Posted in Mortar and Adhesives
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Are you finally getting started building that patio or walkway that you have been dreaming of for your outdoor area? If you decided to attempt to build your paved area yourself, you have a few choices to make. Are you going to use natural stone pavers or man-made? What colors or type of pavers will work best for your design? Then finally, what polymer should you buy to fill in between those pavers? As important as the pavers are, without the right polymer your pavers will not last so it is important to know your best options.

Why Polymer?

You may be wondering why you need polymer at all to pave. After all, won’t sand work just as well? Actually, in most cases, no. Sand will fill in the cracks but it also needs to be sealed, erodes quicker and does not control weeds as well. Polymer is quicker, more efficient and can last much longer than sand.

There are many types of polymer products available for paving but there are two that can work well for most paving projects: gator dust or polymeric sand. For wider cracks, gator dust is the best solution. It can quickly be used to fill the cracks then creates a solid mortar when water is added. For fine or thin cracks, polymer sand can be used to keep pavers in place and prevent weed growth.

When you get ready to purchase your pavers from your local landscape supply store, make sure to also ask what polymer products they carry. They can help you determine which will work best for your needs and how much polymer filler will be required to complete your paved area.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

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Polymeric Sand

November 5th, 2010 Posted in Mortar and Adhesives
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Polymeric sand is the material used to fill the joints or gaps between stone or brick pavers in driveways, patios, and walkways.  Polymeric sand is designed to help hold stonework in place and keep it from shifting.  This resistance to shifting is called interlock.  Polymeric sand enhances interlock and stabilizes stonework. 

Until a few years ago, common sand was used to fill the joints that naturally occur in stone or brick pavers.  The sand would be swept into the joints and typically coated with a sealant that hardened the upper layer of sand.  This process worked reasonably well, but it was susceptible to being washed out by heavy rain, and also weeds and grass were often able to grow in the joints. 

Polymeric sand is a big step forward in joint filler for outdoor patio, driveway, and walkways.  Polymeric sand uses a water activated synthetic polymer to bind the sand particles and create a firm, water resistant joint filler.   Polymeric sand is applied like regular sand by sweeping or brushing it into the joints.  Once all the sand is brushed off of the stone and into the joints, water is misted over the stonework until it penetrates the sand.  The water activates the polymer, which hardens and binds the sand.

In addition to its excellent stabilizing properties, polymeric sand helps prevent water intrusion under your stonework which can lead to your stonework shifting or deforming.  Also, properly applied, polymeric sand prevents the growth of weeds and grass in the joints.  Finally, polymeric sand does not wash away so you do not have to continually replenish the joint sand for your stonework.

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