Looking for the best paving sands? We review three solid options for patios and driveways, explaining what works, what does not, and how to avoid a wobbly disaster.
Paving sand may not be the most exciting stuff, but it’s the unsung hero that is keeping your patio from going to pot. Get it wrong, and your paving job will be loose on its foundations like a tacky pub table. Get it right, and all is kept exactly as it should, with no weeds for fun.
Premium & Great Value Paving Sands
In this guide, we are going to discuss the best paving sands that really work without making things complicated. Nothing here is going to make your head spin with claims of 'magic’ behaviour.
The Significance of Paving Sand
Paving sand is more than just stuff that you throw on there and hope for the best. This is a very essential part of drainage systems, keeping, and securing your paving slabs in position. The wrong sort of sand can easily wash away, grow weeds, or even turn to mud following a heavy downpour.
Different Jobs Need Different Sands
Not all paving sands are alike, which is strange when they all look so similar in the bag. Sands are available that are meant for creating sharp bedding layers, as well as ones that are meant for brushing into joints. The wrong stuff is a bit like sugar vs. salt, seems okay until it all goes pear-shaped.
Paving sand is very DIY-friendly, but it still pays to do a little homework. The depth, how compacted it is, and what sort of sand to use make a huge difference in how long your paving lasts for, as well as how much maintenance your going to be doing down the track.
Cheap Mistakes are Still Mistakes
It has been said that a saving of a few pounds on the wrong sort of sand has been known to cost far more when repairing sunken slabs and loose blocks that result from the bad behaviour of said sand once it is on the floor. The aim here is to buy value, not make economies.
Best 3 Paving Sands
#1, Laeto Kiln Dried Premium Sand 20kg
Laeto Kiln Dried Premium Sand is the sort of product that has the precise effect described on the packaging, which is a rarity in the DIY sector that is, quite literally, a dream come true. This is a high-quality, dry, flowing sand that has been specifically engineered to brush into gaps within block paving, slabs, patios, and driveways without compacting, becoming clogged, or, most importantly, transforming into a small sandcastle.
It is kiln-dried, so the moisture has been removed, making it easy to pour and brush into the joints, where it settles with a slight vibration or compacting. This is a big plus when it comes to block paving, where stability is desired but movement is not, because once in place, it is what holds the whole thing together.
Laeto also has some strengths in terms of its versatility. Even though it is best used as a jointing sand, it can still be used for a variety of purposes within landscaping in relation to construction, should the need arise. It drains quite well, has a consistent size, and has the feel of a product that has been properly processed, as opposed to sand that has been scooped from where it is and put into bags hastily.
This is particularly useful for driveways and heavily trafficked areas where the joints have to remain fixed. It works well when combined with a fitting paving sealant, which significantly helps prevent weed growth and retention of sand. It is not fancy, but it is dependable, which is what paving sand is meant to be exactly.
#2, Glowhouse Kiln Dried Joint Sand 20kg
The Glowhouse Kiln Dried Joint Sand is a sound alternative, and one that will very much appeal to DIY enthusiasts who wish to keep things simple and avoid over-complicating the job. This UK-manufactured product is the result, sold as a 20kg pack that is full of high-quality silica sand that is easy to brush between paving slabs, block paving, patios, and driveways with relative ease.
This is finer, drier, and hence easier to lay, especially when brushing into tight joints, which is difficult with the coarser textures of regular sands. It is kiln-dried, which means it is easy to pour and settles well, helping to prevent voids that might make the blocks loose with constant foot traffic or when wetted with rain.
The drainage is also a commendable aspect. The structure of the grains ensures that the drainage is facilitated, meaning that the water passes through, unlike in other roofs that result in puddles on top. This is particularly useful for weather conditions in the UK, which is characterized by rain that is not invited but is known to stay longer.
It is marketed by Glowhouse as a sand that can be used on all types of paving, whether it is cheap paving slabs or high-quality paving, and on all accounts, it delivers. It is not a product that is specifically aimed at weed suppression, as it is clearly meant to be used in conjunction with other things, but used properly, it is a solid performer. It is a no-nonsense paving sand that essentially gets the job done.
#3, Sika Setting Sand 20kg
Sika Setting Sand is where serious paving sand begins. This is no ordinary jointing sand that relies on a brush in and a dash of luck. It is used for narrow joints, but once activated with water, it sets to a hard finish that is more akin to a jointing compound than normal sand.
The application is still gloriously easy. You sweep it into the joints, clean the surface, and lightly moisten it with water. Instead of washing away with a sense of drama and, yes, disappointment, it uses the moisture to seal itself into position, creating a solid unit that is far more resistant to weed growth, insect activity, and erosion than kiln-dried sand.
It is especially ideal for patios, pathways, and driveways with light car traffic, especially when joints are between two to five millimetres wide. It is not advisable for use on wide joints or commercial applications, but within its comfort zone, it is excellent. It has a buff tone that weathers with time, which blends with block paving quite nicely, eliminating that screaming "new repair" look.
Another major advantage is that there is less maintenance required. Since it is hard, there is no need for constant topping-up that takes place when there is heavy rain or pressure washing. Need I say more to someone who has noticed all the carefully brushed sand going down the drain. It is more expensive than kiln-dried sand, but what price is peace of mind? Weeds are a problem for most people, and with this product, your joints are guaranteed to stay put.
Conclusion
Choosing the best paving sand is a matter of how much work you are going to put in now, versus how much work you're going to tolerate later. Kiln-dried sands such as Laeto and The Glowhouse are, in my opinion, fantastic, great value alternatives to use on block paving driveways and patios, especially when used with a high-quality sealant. "These products are very easy to use, are readily available, and accomplish what they are intended to do.
Recommendations
Sika Setting Sand, on the other hand, is for people who want a slightly harder compound but do not want to go to a full resin compound, so it fills a gap in a nice way, giving a cleaner finish with improved weed resistance but remains DIY-friendly.
Final Word
That is, if your job is putting in a brand new drive, a setting sand is a small price to pay for the convenience of not having to repeat the job in a short space of years. On a small scale, kiln-dried sand is still a highly sensible purchase.
In conclusion, there is no bad choice here, only varying degrees of commitment. Make your choice carefully, brush your plants gingerly, and may your joints remain full and weed-free for many years to come.
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