Polymeric sand or concrete for paver joints?
Choosing between polymeric sand and concrete comes down to whether you want a flexible joint material that resists weed growth or a rigid edge that locks pavers firmly in place. This uncertainty often halts patio and walkway maintenance projects because homeowners worry about cracking, shifting, or choosing a material that won't hold up to weather.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Using a row of brick with polymeric sandDid this help you?
- 2Pouring a concrete slabDid this help you?
- 3Using 1/4 minus crushed rock and top dressing with 1/4 cleanDid this help you?
- 4Using polymeric sand specifically rated for wide jointsDid this help you?
- 5Planting creeping thyme or mossDid this help you?
- 6Using screenings or decomposed granite on a budgetDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Can’t settle on a joint type.”source ↗
“I am thinking of fixing/lining these pavers and adding some polymeric sand or continue the concrete.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 5Why does polymeric sand keep washing out of pavers?
- 2Do I need to remove river sand before using polymeric sand?
- 2What garden edging material doesn't warp in the heat?
- 2Can you use a plate compactor on travertine pavers?
- 2What kind of flooring can you put on a screened-in porch?