Sand has an significant role in the installation of paver walkways. It is actually used twice throughout the paver installation procedure for different purposes. It’s important to keep both of these uses in mind when choosing sand to get your paver installation since each use has different sand requirements. Picking the incorrect sand could result in your pavers sinking, shifting or with other difficulties over time.
Paver Installation
Sand is used in two portions of the paver installation procedure. A bed for the pavers is dug out and filled with gravel or crushed stone, then topped with a layer of mud to cushion the pavers. When the bedding sand is in position, you smooth it, compact it and then place the pavers into position on top of it. Additional sand is swept over the pavers, filling in the spaces between them to make a surface. This sand is compacted also, then dampened using a hose to help pack it into the paver joints.
Bedding Sand
The best sand for your bedding layer is a sharp, coarse granular mud with grains of comparable sizes. As you compact the bedding sand, then the borders will grind together and lock the top layer of the mud layer in place. This produces a smooth surface to set your pavers on that will not easily change or erode. Utilizing a fine-grained sand or mud with smooth borders will not create this locking effect, increasing the likelihood of shifting or sinking later on.
Filler Sand
The best sand to fill the joints between your scoop is just one that has multiple grain sizes and sharp or ragged edges such as river-washed sand. The numerous grain sizes ensure that the joints are well-filled while allowing for the natural growth of paver materials due to temperature changes. The ragged edges make sure that the filler sand will lock together to make a smooth surface when it’s compacted. Fine-grained smooth or sand mud will not produce this effect and will probably wash out or be blown from the joints over time.
Polymeric Sand
Polymeric sand is an alternate choice for filling paver joints. This sand is covered using a water-activated polymer that ties together when you soften it. The bonding polymer produces a much more powerful fill joint than conventional filler mud, preventing erosion or other damage by bonding the grains of sand together to produce a strong water-resistant surface. Polymeric sands made out of natural components have the capability to “self-heal,” softening slightly during rains or other occasions when water is introduced to fill any small gaps that occur over time. Other polymeric sands made out of synthetic polymers do not have this attribute but do offer increased resistance to weeds and other plant growth.
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