If you are working on pavement construction, you should know that there is no better material than polymeric sand. But as it’s a bit more pricey, you can use some of the polymeric sand alternatives to get the same amazing results.
But it’s not always easy to find a good fit as there are hundreds of different products available in the market. That can easily make you overwhelmed, and you won’t be able to pick a good one.
To help you with that, we’ll review some of the best alternatives of polymeric sand for pavement construction or using elsewhere. And we’ll also go over a buying guide and a FAQ session to help you get clear on it even further.
Another interesting article: Best Polymeric Sand for Pavers
Top 3 Polymeric Sand Alternatives
Let’s review the top 3 alternatives to polymeric products down below.
1. Midwest Products Premium Stepping Stone Cement Mix
- Our premium step stone mix is a specialized mix of super-fine cement, latex, and curing agents
Midwest products co. has some of the most premium construction material products that you can find on the market. They are very top class in quality but the best part is that you don’t have to break the bank to get such quality products. All of their products are at a very affordable price range for you.
Midwest Products Premium Stepping Stone Cement Mix is one of the best alternatives to polymeric stones that you can find on the market.
It’s a premium quality mix that provides you with a great finish. You are going to love it if you are looking for something that can give you a neat and clean finish.
Also, it has an amazing pressure resistance feature as well. It can withstand approximately 250 pounds of weight without any issue. That’s very impressive for a product that comes in that price range.
Midwest Products Premium Stepping Stone Cement Mix is undoubtedly the best material that you can get for your money. It’s just a very high-quality cement mix that helps to get the most effective construction possible.
So, if you are looking for a great alternative to polymeric sand, you can get the Midwest Products Premium Stepping Stone Cement Mix for yourself. That’s a no-brainer option for you in that price range.
Pros
- Premium quality material
- Withstands amazing weight
- Provides a clean and smooth finish
- Best value of your money
Cons
- Dries too fast
2. Roccia 3 Pounds – Real Sand
- NATURAL COLOR SAND - Our product's natural characteristics will remind you of summer days spent by the sea.
Roccia is another great company that produces some of the best quality materials in a very affordable price range. If you don’t want to spend a ton on the construction materials and still want to get the best results, the Roccia 3 Pounds – Real Sand is a perfect option for you.
Well, it’s real sand that you can use for so many decoration purposes. You can keep it in vases, flowers, sand art, or anywhere you like. It’s going to give you a great effect that you are going to love. It’s one of the most versatile materials that you can use in a lot of places.
It has a natural sand color finish, which gives a sleek and classy vibe. There is no dust or debris in the sand, and that’s just perfect for interior use.
Also, you should know that the grains used in this product are the best that you can find on the market. It’s not the sand powder products that you see out there.
That gives a gorgeous finish to your decors that you crave. So, if you are looking for a cheap but high-quality alternative to polymeric sand, you can get the Roccia 3 Pounds – Real Sand for yourself. You won’t regret investing in it as it’s the best sand product in its price range.
Pros
- Versatile use
- Easy application
- Natural sand color
- Very affordable
Cons
- Color can get degraded
3. Alliance Gator Polymeric Stone Dust Bond
- Can be used for joints up to a maximum of 2 inches and its ASTM C144 gradation allows use in even the tightest joints, faster installation time.
The Alliance is one of the most renowned companies that you can find out there that produce some of the top-class construction material products. Their products are premium in every way. So, if you are someone who doesn’t like to compromise the quality to save up money, you are going to love Alliance.
The Alliance Gator Polymeric Stone Dust Bond is undoubtedly the best stone dust that you can find out there. It features a very easy application and also gives amazing durability as well. That makes it a perfect alternative to polymeric sand.
If there are rain or water issues, you won’t have to sweat about that if you use the Alliance Gator Polymeric Stone Dust Bond. Also, it has great heat resistance that makes it even more weatherproof.
However, it doesn’t cover as much as the area that you might be looking for in a product. But the quality is so good that it is worth every single penny of your money.
So, if you are looking for the best alternative to polymeric sand, you can get the Alliance Gator Polymeric Stone Dust Bond, which is the most top-notch product that you can find on the market. You just can’t have even a tiny bit of complaint about its quality and service.
- Premium quality stone dust
- Very durable
- Reduces weather damage
- Superfast setting
- Not the best affordable option
Things To Consider Before Polymeric Sand Alternatives
Now that you have a few alternatives that you can get for yourself, you can’t pick the right one if you don’t know what to look for in those. That’s something you must know before you choose to spend your money on any of these alternatives to polymeric sand.
It’s not that hard to get a clear understanding of it whatsoever. To help you get it right, let’s go over an in-depth buyer’s guide that you should look at before choosing any of the alternatives and spend your money on it. That’s going to give you a much better result overall.
Wondering how to use Polymeric sand? Read here!
What’s Polymeric Sand?
Polymeric sand has some silicon, polymer additives that make it a bit more special type of sand. Water helps to bind them all together, which makes the whole thing even stronger. You can say that the moisture is the object that activates them, and they strongly bind with all the other particles. That’s how you get these strong bindings between the pavers that you construct.
After you apply the polymeric sand, you’ll get solid and tight paver blocks, which are exactly what you need in that case. These are great for rough and tough weather and last you for years.
Cement
Cement is one of the most common materials that people use instead of polymeric sand. It’s a very solid option that you can use as an alternative to polymeric sand.
It creates a bond between the particles that give a solid construction. That way you don’t have to worry about rough weather. Also, it works just like glue with the pavers that help to keep it in place.
It’s better to go with a 4 to 6 inches depth if you choose to use cement on the pavers. Applying directly to the place will give it the best placement. And when it dries out, it’s going to be perfect for you.
You can see how cement can be a great replacement for polymeric sand in most cases. So, look for a renowned brand and purchase the best cement that you can get. That’s going to get the best durability, no washout, no weed growth, and versatility in usage.
Builder’s Sand
If you are searching for a great alternative to polymeric sand, the builder’s sand can be the best fit for you. It comes in a very affordable price range, and you can find it almost anywhere.
Also, it’s very easy to apply as well. Once you apply it you don’t have to worry about the replacement that much. However, if you want to replace it, you can definitely do it without much effort, which is great.
Yet, there’s a downside to using the builder’s sand instead of polymeric sand. That’s because these materials tend to get washed away with rain. That can be a bit of an issue for areas that rain heavily.
Other than that, the builder’s sand can be a great alternative to polymeric sand. So, if you want to get materials for pavers that are cheap and give good service, you are going to love the builder’s sand.
Stone Dust
If you are on a tight budget, stone dust is going to be the best alternative to polymeric sand that you can get. It’s pretty affordable, and you can find it almost everywhere.
Stone dust provides a great finish to the pavers, which leaves a smooth surface. That’s great for you if you want the place to look as neat as possible.
Also, it’s very easy to apply as well, and you can get done with the whole application process in a very fast period. Also, what’s great about this material is that it gives pretty good longevity, which is vital for any case.
If you use stone dust in the construction process, you won’t have to worry about water washing it out of the place. It gets more sturdy when it gets the extra moisture. That’s really great for using it in the pavers. And also, it has good protection against other critical weathers as well. So, if you are looking for an alternative to polymeric sand, stone dust can be a perfect fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are alternatives to polymeric sand safe to use for me?
Well, it depends greatly on the material that you choose to use. Most of the materials such as cement, builder’s sand, and stone dust are perfect for use in places. It’s very safe as well, and it’s not going to harm the environment in any way, shape, or form.
How long would the alternatives to polymeric sand last?
It’s going to last you around 10 years if you use good materials such as cement or stone dust. Yet, this is just an average estimation that can change as you change the materials. You should always opt for high-quality materials to get the best durability for your project.
Is the sand going to wash away if I use any other material than polymeric sand?
It actually hardens the materials if you use the correct ones. For instance, if you use cement, there is no chance of water washing it out. If you use stone dust or builder’s sand, it’s going to get hardened by water, which is very convenient. That’s exactly like polymeric sand. So, if you are using good materials, you don’t have to worry about it washing away that much.
Should I put a sealer on?
Putting a sealer on will help you so much with maintaining the whole thing better. But be sure to wait for 24 to 48 hours after you install the surface and let it dry out properly. That’s going to help you get the best effect with the sealer.
If you can’t wait longer, just try to go for at least one day to let the surface dry out a little bit. That’s going to make the sealer work so much better on the surface, which is vital in the process.
How long do I have to wait for the seal to get hardened completely?
It takes one whole day to get the polymeric sand hardened in place. It can vary for a lot of reasons as well. The main issue that you might face is the weather. It can ruin the whole installation process as well if you are not ready.
That’s why you need to plan out the whole thing before you even start the work in the first place. That way you can avoid any unnecessary interruptions and that’s great.
Final Thoughts
We just went through a lot of polymeric sand alternatives. You now have a list of products that you get for you that works the same as this sand.
Yet, be sure to get quality products and not save your money and compromise the quality. That’s going to help you in the long run for sure. I hope that you find this article helpful in any way.