--- title: "The Best Polymeric Sand Stops Weeds, Keeps Pavers in Place, and Delivers a Professional Look" description: "Water and ice can turn your paver patio into a disaster. Lock your pavers in place with the best polymeric sand for the job." date: "2021-04-30" modified: "2025-04-30" authors: - name: "Tom Scalisi" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tom-scalisi/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-polymeric-sand/" categories: - "Deck, Patio & Porch" - "Exterior" - "Reviews" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # The Best Polymeric Sand Stops Weeds, Keeps Pavers in Place, and Delivers a Professional Look ![A person using a push broom to distribute the best polymeric sand between cement patio pavers.]() *Photo: depositphotos.com* When it comes to beautiful hardscapes like patios, [driveways, and walkways](), it’s hard to beat the high-end look of pavers—especially when the joints are filled with polymeric sand. Not only does polymeric sand create a clean finished look, it also keeps pavers in place and helps prevent weeds and grass from growing up through the cracks. Sometimes called jointing sand, paver sand, or hardscape sand, polymeric sand is not the same as regular sand. Instead, it's coated with a water-activated polymer that causes the grains to stick together when dampened to produce a seal that looks like grout but that makes a stronger joint. After researching a range of polymeric sand products on the market and reaching out to an expert for advice, we selected the [Black Diamond Coatings Dominator Polymeric Sand]() as our top pick for long-lasting paver installation. Below, find the rest of our picks for the best polymeric sand in a range of categories. 1. **BEST OVERALL:** [Black Diamond Coatings Dominator Polymeric Sand]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#black-diamond-coatings-dominator-polymeric-sand>) 2. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [Techniseal EZSand Polymeric Paver Sand]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#techniseal-ezsand-polymeric-paver-sand>) 3. **UPGRADE PICK:** [Alliance Gator Maxx G2 Intelligent Polymeric Sand]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#alliance-gator-maxx-g2-intelligent-polymeric-sand>) 4. **BEST MOISTURE-RESISTANT:** [Rhino Power Bond Plus Polymeric Sand]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#rhino-power-bond-plus-polymeric-sand>) 5. **ALSO CONSIDER:** [BuddingCo Polymeric Sand]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#buddingco-polymeric-sand>) ![A broom to cleaning excess polymeric sand from between cement patio pavers.]() *Photo: The Home Depot* ## Polymeric Sands Comparison | **Product** | **Quantity** | **Working Temperature** | **Multiple Colors** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Black Diamond Coatings Dominator Polymeric Sand ]() | 10 or 40 pounds | 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above | Yes | | [Techniseal EZSand Polymeric Paver Sand]() | 35 pounds | 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above | No | | [Alliance Gator Maxx G2 Intelligent Polymeric Sand]() | 50 pounds | 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above | Yes | | [Rhino Power Bond Plus Polymeric Sand]() | 10, 20, or 50 pounds | 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above | Yes | | [BuddingCo Polymeric Sand]() | 18 pounds | 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above | No | ## Our Top Picks Here are picks for some of the best polymeric sands in a range of categories. Read on for in-depth shopping considerations. Whether shoppers are [building a paver patio]() or an entire stone driveway, Black Diamond Coatings’ joint stabilizing polymeric sand provides the quality and color options to help complete the task. It's available in options like midnight black, camel brown, charcoal gray, gray beige, natural ivory, and titanium gray in both 10- and 40-pound containers. Since polymeric sand coverage depends on the width and depth of the joints, the manufacturer includes a helpful calculator tool on [its website]() to help determine how much you'll need for your space. This sand for paver joints features the company’s Solid-Flex formula, which is made from fine sand and is free of cement. The formula allows the sand to flex while remaining durable and water-resistant. Should any cracks appear, Solid-Flex self-heals, keeping ants, grass, weeds, and other paver busters from taking advantage. **Get the Black Diamond Coatings polymeric sand (various sizes) at** [**Amazon**]() **or [The Home Depot]().** Paver projects can be pricey, no matter if you're planning a [creative driveway project]() or a simple natural stone path. To bring down costs a bit, you might want to consider this paver locking sand from Techniseal. A 40-pound bucket of sand provides up to 55 square feet of coverage for the ½-inch wide joints common on interlocking pavers. Once installed, it can also help inhibit weed growth and deter ants and other insects. While more affordable than higher-performance polymeric sands, Techniseal EZSand is designed for lighter-duty residential environments and may not withstand the heavy traffic of commercial settings. **Get the Techniseal polymeric sand at [The Home Depot]() or [Lowe's]().** Alliance Gator Maxx G2 intelligent polymeric sand is a brand pros trust, but with its easy installation process, it works just as well for DIYers. This 50-pound bag of polymeric sand covers up to 85 square feet. It works on tight joints as well as wider joints up to 4 inches. This polymeric sand for pavers comes in beige, slate gray, ivory, and black diamond. The G2 hardening sand for pavers features a no-dust, haze-free formula that’s strong and durable. It's also rain-safe in as little as 15 minutes, allowing you to apply it to a patio, walkway, or driveway on less-than-ideal days. **Get the Alliance polymeric sand at** [**Amazon**]() **or** [**Walmart**]()**.** Rhino Power Bond Plus polymeric sand for flagstone, concrete, clay, and natural stone pavers is a high-performance pick for joints up to 4 inches wide. It sets to rainfast in an hour and uses a haze-free formula that prevents cloudy residue on [patio pavers](). It's also engineered to withstand harsh weather, including rain, snow, and intense sun, providing long-term durability for patios, driveways, paths, and pool surrounds. Available in multiple colors, you should be able to find the right shade of Rhino Power Bond Plus for your hardscape designs. Just be sure all surfaces are completely dry for installation, as improper application can lead to poor bonding. As with any paver joint compound or [concrete crack filler](), coverage per bag varies with joint width, so larger projects may require more than one bag. Since this pick comes in three sizes, though, you should be able to get pretty close in terms of buying an appropriate amount. **Get the Rhino polymeric sand (various sizes) at** [**Amazon**]()**,** [**Walmart**]()**, or** [**Rhino**]()**.** BuddingCo’s polymeric sand is worth considering for any paver installation, including patios, walkways, driveways, [stone pathways](), and parking spaces. One bucket of this polymeric sand can provide up to 40 square feet of coverage, depending on joint width. BuddingCo’s formula is suitable for joints up to 1 inch, which is about average for polymeric sand. However, it’s able to set in temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows users to get a jump on some of their outdoor projects in the early seasons or [seal driveways]() in the winter. **Get the BuddingCo polymeric sand at** [**Amazon**]()**.** ## [Jump to Our Top Picks](<#recap>) ## How We Chose the Best Polymeric Sands To provide a comprehensive list of reliable poly sand options, we researched a range of popular products and consulted professionals to get their opinions on what matters most when choosing paver sand. According to Roger Van Alst, the owner and president of [Black Diamond Paver Stones & Landscape](), it's smart to think about intended use when selecting paver sand. “Just make sure you are picking the correct sand for the application,” he says. “The bags and manufacturers do a good job of indicating the proper uses for each type.” With this in mind, our top picks include options suitable for varying gap sizes as well as different paver types, such as porcelain or flagstone. Our picks also prioritize quality of materials, coverage area, drying time, working temperature, and consistency of color. We feature everything from ivory and beige products to brown, gray, and black polymeric sand and include products you can apply in temps as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit. ## What to Consider When Choosing a Polymeric Sand Polymeric sand can take a paver project’s look from amateur to professional. Here’s what you need to know when shopping for the best polymeric sand. ### Gap Size Before starting a [patio paver project](), it's smart to determine how large the joints will be between each stone or concrete paver. For polymeric sand to hold everything in place and provide protection against water, grass, weeds, and insects, you need to choose a product that can accommodate your intended gap size. While some of the options on our list can fill joints as large as 4 inches wide, it's fairly common for products' ideal joint size to be 1 inch or less. ### Polymer or Adhesive Polymeric sand is coated with an additive that makes the grains stick together when it gets wet. The most commonly used adhesive, or polymer, is silica, which forms a flexible hold between the individual grains of sand and the pavers. When the ground shifts due to water or weed roots, the silica flexes and keeps pavers in place. Depending on the manufacturer, polymeric sand can be a blend of chemical binders and glues as well as silica. ### Hazing Some polymeric sand manufacturers mix Portland cement into their sand recipes. While these sands are still high-quality and durable, they sometimes create hazing around the pavers. Hazing is a white or light gray film that can form around the joints. The haze left by cement isn’t just an aesthetic concern; it can affect the quality of [paver sealers](). Mark Olivito, owner of [PaverArt]() in Lindenwold, New Jersey, says that hazing can be a common occurrence when using poly sand, but it’s simple to avoid. “Ensure that *all* poly sand is thoroughly removed from the surface of the paver *before* activating it with water,” he advises. “A strong [leaf blower]() usually does the trick after the sand is swept into the joints.” ### Color Polymeric sand comes in different colors to match or complement your pavers. Dry pigments are mixed into the sand to produce greens, whites, browns, blacks, tans, and grays. This small detail can go a long way toward making a basic paver walkway or patio stand out compared to the dull, washed-out look of beige sand or gray concrete. Just like colored grout enhancing indoor tile work, colored polymeric sand can give your outdoor hardscape a custom, designer feel. ### Drying Time Unlike concrete and cement that can take days to fully dry, most polymeric sands are ready for foot traffic after 24 hours. If it’s a driveway, wait 48 hours before parking a vehicle on it. If your area is prone to sporadic rainstorms, you may want to look for an option that promises to be rainfast in an hour. Otherwise, if it rains while you're installing polymeric sand and the product doesn't get a chance to dry, it will wash out to the top of the pavers, and you’ll have a mess on your hands. ### Application Regardless of the brand or manufacturer, the process for applying polymeric sand follows the same general steps. 1. Ensure all pavers are in place. Use a hand or plate tamper to compact them so they’re stable and even. 2. Work in small areas, pouring out a bag of polymeric sand over 16 square feet. 3. Using a wide push broom, spread the polymeric sand out until it fills the joints around the pavers evenly. The sand should come to within ⅛ inch of the top of the paver. If the pavers have beveled edges, fill to the bottom of the bevel. 4. Using a hand or plate tamper, tamp the sand into place. Look over the joints again to ensure there’s adequate sand between each joint. Add sand where needed. 5. Remove excess sand from the surface. 6. Set a garden hose nozzle to “shower” and soak the surface. Only add as much water as will soak into the sand. This activates the adhesives that bond the grains, but be careful not to add too much water, as it can separate the adhesive and cause a milky haze. 7. Allow the surface to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. ## FAQs Even though you're probably not still wondering, "What is polymeric sand?" you may still have a few questions. ## Author Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer, author, and blogger with a passion for building. Whether it’s a DIY project or an entire website, Tom loves creating something from the ground up, stepping back, and admiring a job well done. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()