Polymeric Sand Calculator
Estimated Material Cost
$90 – $150
$0.90 – $1.50 per sq ft
Bags Needed
3
50lb bags
Total Weight
150 lbs
Coverage/Bag
50 – 75 sqft
Cost Per Bag
$30 – $50
Application Tips: Apply on a dry day with no rain expected for 24 hours. Sweep sand into joints, compact with plate compactor, sweep again, then mist with water to activate polymers.
Not included: Base material, paver cost, installation labor, sealer (optional, $0.20–$0.50/sqft). Add 10% extra if re-sanding existing pavers.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for budgeting purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, contractor, material availability, and project complexity. Always get professional quotes for exact pricing.
Polymeric Sand Coverage & Cost
| Joint Width | Coverage (50lb bag) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" (Tight) | 75 – 100 sqft | Manufactured pavers, brick |
| 1/4" (Standard) | 50 – 75 sqft | Most patio pavers |
| 3/8" (Wide) | 30 – 50 sqft | Natural stone, tumbled pavers |
| 1/2"+ (Extra Wide) | 20 – 35 sqft | Flagstone, irregular stone |
* Coverage for standard 6×6" to 6×9" pavers. Smaller pavers need 30% more sand; large pavers need 25% less.
Cost by Product Tier
| Tier | Price (50lb) | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $20 – $30 | Sakrete, EZ Sand |
| Standard | $30 – $50 | Quikrete, Pavestone |
| Premium | $50 – $80 | Techniseal, Gator Maxx |
* Premium brands offer better weed prevention, ant resistance, and longer lifespan. Recommended for driveways.
How We Calculate
Our polymeric sand calculator estimates bags needed based on paver area, joint width, paver size, and sand quality. Total = (Area ÷ Coverage per bag) × 1.10 waste factor.
Coverage calculation: A 50lb bag covers 75–100 sqft for 1/8" joints, 50–75 sqft for 1/4" joints, 30–50 sqft for 3/8" joints, or 20–35 sqft for 1/2"+ joints. Smaller pavers require more sand (more joints per sqft).
Product Tiers
Budget ($20–$30/bag) — Sakrete, EZ Sand. Basic polymer binding. Good for low-traffic areas. Standard ($30–$50/bag) — Quikrete, Pavestone. Better weed resistance. Suits most residential projects. Premium ($50–$80/bag) — Techniseal, Gator Maxx. Best durability, weed/ant prevention. Ideal for driveways and pool decks.
Joint Width Guide
1/8" — Tight fit, common with manufactured pavers. 1/4" — Standard joint for most patio pavers. 3/8" — Wide joints, natural stone. 1/2"+ — Flagstone, requires wide-joint formula.
Application Tips
Apply only when pavers are completely dry. Sweep sand into joints, compact with plate compactor, sweep excess, then mist with fine spray until surface darkens. Avoid puddling. No rain for 24 hours.
Data Sources
Pricing from Home Depot, Lowe's, manufacturer specs (Techniseal, Alliance Gator), and industry coverage charts (February 2026).
Last updated: 2026-02-05
Frequently Asked Questions
How much polymeric sand do I need per square foot? +
Coverage varies by joint width: 1/8" joints need about 0.5–0.7 lbs/sqft, 1/4" joints need 0.7–1 lb/sqft, and 3/8"+ joints need 1–1.5 lbs/sqft. A 50lb bag covers 75–100 sqft for tight joints or 20–35 sqft for wide joints.
How much does polymeric sand cost? +
Polymeric sand costs $20–$80 per 50lb bag depending on quality. Budget brands (Sakrete, EZ Sand) run $20–$30. Standard options (Quikrete) cost $30–$50. Premium brands (Techniseal, Gator) are $50–$80 but offer better weed and ant resistance.
Is polymeric sand worth the extra cost over regular sand? +
Yes — polymeric sand hardens when wet, locking pavers in place and preventing weed growth and ant infestations. Regular sand washes out and needs constant replacement. Polymeric sand lasts 5–10 years vs 1–2 years for regular sand.
Can I apply polymeric sand over old sand? +
No — remove old sand first for best results. Old sand prevents proper adhesion. Use a pressure washer or vacuum to clean joints, let dry completely, then apply new polymeric sand. Reapplication over existing polymeric sand is possible if joints are clean and dry.
What's the difference between polymeric sand brands? +
Premium brands (Techniseal HP2, Gator Maxx G2) use stronger polymers that resist erosion, inhibit weeds better, and last longer. They also cure faster and work better in wide joints. Budget brands work for low-traffic areas but may fail sooner.
How long does polymeric sand take to cure? +
Initial set takes 24 hours — avoid foot traffic. Full cure takes 72 hours. Don't apply if rain is expected within 24 hours. Premium brands may cure faster (12–24 hours) but still recommend 72 hours before heavy use.
Can polymeric sand be used with any paver? +
Polymeric sand works with most pavers, flagstone, and natural stone. Joint width should be 1/8"–4" (check product specs). For very wide flagstone joints (1"+), use 'wide joint' polymeric sand formulated for larger gaps.
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