[jhmvi]

I have just finished laying a flagstone patio and can not decide what joint material to use. I would like a nice finished/polished final look. There are six options I've looked at. And my joints are 1-2" for the most part with some of the corner/intersections in the 3" range. I'm in Wisconsin.

1) limestone sand ... cheap at $20/ton but more likely to washout and not as clear of final look and not as sturdy if a chair were to sit on joint

2) polymeric sand ... cheaper stuff like you can buy at Home Depot or Menards for $8/50 lb bag ... reasonable cost but I heard it's on the cheaper side for a reason and so washout likely

3) high end polymeric sand ... envirobond ... $25/50 lb bag ... expensive but reforms, helps block weeds, environmentally friendly ... but my patio is in partial shade and I'm worried it won't dry completely and therefore degrade faster

4) high end polymeric sand ... techniseal HP ... not sure on cost but on the expensive side ... this was recommended to me but their site says it is for 1" joints primarily so I'm worried it won't work for my larger joints.

5) high end polymeric sand ... gator dust bond ... $25/50 lb bag ... expensive, but hardens like concrete, helps block weeds ... seems to be the best solution but I'm somewhat worried about cracking over time and how to fix - I believe you can throw some more stuff down and it will re-bond to itself but not positive

6) mortar ... I threw this option out from the start as cracking seems to be a real issue and I don't want it to look sloppy

so I'm leaning towards the gator dust bond but it is so expensive that I was hoping to hear what others have done and recommend for my situation ... thanks

 

[Bob Mariani]

for large joints you need the coarser sand. gator dust is the way to go. Home Depot sand will wash away. But in any case a 3" joint will not look good.

 

[ccarlisle]

By reading your post, it seems the choices you have are dictated by the criteria you describe: cost. If so, only you can define what is right for you.

Now if you have other criteria that in the minds of many here, are more important, then keep asking. To name a few: functionality and durability.
Using those two criteria instead of price per bag, will eliminate most. You have to consider that where you live plays an important part in what choices you make, not how much scratch you have in your wallet.

 

[jhmvi]

ccarlisle - if you re-read my post you'll note that I don't just comment on the cost, but also the durability/functionality as you note -- and if I was only concerned about the cost I would just go the cheapest way (and again if you read my post I note that I was leaning towards the most expensive option as it seems to meet my needs in terms of durability/etc.) -- and you must know that the cost is directly proportional to the degree of durability/functionality/etc. of these products and a tradeoff that always has to be made

you note that if durability/functionality is my criteria, most options are eliminated -- so what do you recommend in this case?

 

[jhmvi]

CCarlisle - thx for an unfounded criticism and then not offering any advice - nice support to a newbie looking for some help on the DIY forum

 

[stripdshirt]

CCarlisle - thx for an unfounded criticism and then not offering any advice - nice support to a newbie looking for some help on the DIY forum

I don't think he was being that harsh, just stating the obvious what you said. You get what you pay for! I also very much agree with him, you have to go with the weather conditions in your area.

I always look at it this way:

"You can pay for it now, or PAY FOR IT LATER!" :no:

 

[ChrisWhitley]

jhmvi:

I am curious which option you decided to go with and how it has worked out? I have a new flagstone patio with sand between the joints, but am looking into replacing it with Gator Dust. Also, if you went with Gator Dust, which color did you get and has the color stayed true? I would need the tan/biege, but am worried it may turn gray over time.

Thanks,

ChrisWhitley
Austin, TX