When it comes to installing a new driveway, you must make sure that you use the right materials. If you don’t then you’ll find that your driveway does not have the right level of stability. Since this is a high traffic area that’s going to take quite a lot of battering, stability is key. But what is the best sand for block paving joints to ensure this stability?
Kiln dried sand is widely accepted to be the best sand for block paving joints. It is able to create a secure lock between each paver, giving the driveway better overall stability.
But there’s a little more to understand so we have created this guide that tells you everything you need to know about using the right paving sand for the job.
Table of Contents
What Is Kiln Dried Sand?
Kiln dried sand is a type of sand that, you guessed it…has been dried in a kiln. The benefit of this is that the sand no longer contains any moisture so it will work much better for joining your block paving.
You might wonder why the sand needs to be dry and the reason for this is that the material will be much more easily able to flow down between the pavers, right to the bottom. You’ll get the most compact and secure joint without anything sticking to the sides.
It is so important to make sure that, when sanding your block paving joints, whether initially or when resanding, there is no moisture. All of your materials, including the pavers, need to be dry. That’s why it’s typically the best idea to wait for a dry spell before laying or resanding your block paving.
It’s also worth noting that you can get something called no grow kiln dried sand. This is a product that not only joins the pavers securely but also acts as a weed killer. If your driveway suffers with perennial weeds poking through, this is a great option as the weeds will have a very hard time coming through.
Proper Application Of Kiln Dried Sand
If you want your block paving to look the best then you will need to ensure that you properly apply your kiln dried sand. Note that this type of sand is only applied after the driveway has been laid.
The last thing you want is for your kiln dried sand to go hard when you’re trying to work with it. However, this will usually happen if the sand gets wet so make sure to keep it sealed and dry until you’re ready to use it. Again, we should point out that the paving blocks should also be dry before adding any sand.
However, if you want a very solid structure, then it is possible to seal the driveway after you have applied all of the kiln dried sand. This will improve the structural integrity and will also protect your driveway. Before sealing, make sure that you have thoroughly brushed the sand in between the pavers so that they do not move around at all.
What About Sharp Sand?
When you think about building a driveway, you might think that sharp sand is the best material as this is a commonly used outdoor product. However, you should not be using sharp sand to fill the gaps between your pavers as it’s simply too moist.
That said, sharp sand is essential in installing a driveway and should be used as a base for your block paving. It provides a stable foundation that compliments the kiln dried sand between the pavers.
Moreover, once the driveway is complete, you won’t need to invest in any more sharp sand for maintenance. Every few years, you will need to resand the paver joints but again, kiln dried sand is the best material for this.
If you attempt to use any other type of sand such as sharp sand, building sand or silver sand, you’ll find that these products wash out of the gaps incredibly quickly.
How Much Kiln Dried Sand Do I Need?
It can be difficult to know how much kiln dried sand you’ll need. The good thing is that if you buy too much, you can always keep the sealed bags for when it is time to resand, so you won’t be wasting any money.
You’ll normally find that kiln dried sand is sold in bags between 20kg and 25kg. Generally speaking, a single bag should cover around 8 to 10 square metres of paving with 50mm joints. Using this, you can measure your driveway and calculate how many bags of sand you’ll need.
That said, while 50mm is the standard size of a block paver and most people place them very close together, there are some driveways with wider gaps. In this case, you’ll need to account for this when purchasing your sand and you’ll probably need more bags.
Conclusion
Without properly secure joints, your block paved driveway will not have the structural integrity or stability required. Kiln dried sand is the best sand for block paving joints as its super low moisture content means it can flow down through the joints and fill them properly.