Can You Use Play Sand For Pavers? (Find Out Now!)

Jessica Stone
by Jessica Stone

Although you might assume that sand is sand, this is actually not the case. When it comes to choosing the right sand for your project, the type of sand that you choose can make a major difference. Sand is a crucial component to creating durable and visually appealing paver patios and pathways. Not only will selecting the right type of sand make installation of the pavers easier, it will also ensure that your project is built to last.

Generally speaking, there are two main types of sand used when building paver patios: paver sand and polymeric sand. But, what about play sand? Can you use play sand for pavers? Play sand should NEVER be used to build a paver patio, as the sand is too fine, shifts when compressed, and can lead to a number of issues over time.

With this in mind, let’s explore the main differences between the most common types of sand used for home projects, including which is the best option for your specific needs.

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What is Play Sand?

Sand is a natural material made up of ground-up rocks that has been around for years. Though, when sold as “play sand,” the product has gone through processes to confirm that it is safe for children. Like most sand, play sand is made mostly of quartz.

It is very fine, soft, and clean which makes it comfortable to work with, and easier to mold. As such, play sand makes for the ideal sandbox filler. In order for play sand to be created, it must be washed to remove debris and harmful bacteria. Then, it is subjected to pressurized water blasting to round sharp, large grains and make it safer for children to play with.

Can Play Sand Be Used for Pavers?

While you may be tempted to save some money by using play sand for between your pavers, this is not recommended. Play sand is one of the finest sands available on the market, meaning you won’t achieve the same uniform, long-lasting results when it is used for pavers.

After installation, play sand will wash away easily and leave you with empty joints and uneven pavers. Since play sand is so fine and moves when compressed, over time this can result in paver displacement and irregular sand distribution.

Choosing the Right Sand for Paver Projects

The most important factor to consider in choosing high-quality sand for pavers is its coarseness. Overall, there are two main types of sand that can be used for pavers: paver sand and polymeric sand, both of which often go by many names.

What is Paver Sand?

Paver sand, also known as C-33, all-purpose or leveling sand, is the ideal choice for filling the joints between pavers. It is essentially a coarser form of builder’s sands, with pieces that range in size from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. Anything finer, like joint sand, play sand, or rock dust, is not suitable for laying pavers.

Before the pavers are laid, a layer of paver sand is placed over the compacted base material. This layer of sand provides a bed for the pavers to be set and also helps shield the sand joints from being washed away. Once the pavers are positioned, more paver sand is swept over the surface to fill the joints and lock the pavers in place.

What is Polymeric Sand?

Polymeric sand is a product that was created by combing fine sand with specific additives – usually silica – and water to develop a binding agent that helps lock pavers together. When the chemical agents in polymeric sand are activated, it forms a hard, gel-like bond.

This sand is incredibly popular, as it is known to create durable joints between paving stones. It also protects against weeds and insects that may come up through the paver joints. However, if you have any issues with ground leveling, you will have serious problems with polymeric sand sink you cannot fix the project. Polymeric sand permanently adheres pavers together.

The adhesive bonding agent present in polymeric sand is activated when it gets wet. This means that watering your patio after applying the sand will cause it to settle, bind with itself, and transform into almost a concrete-like substance. Not only does this prevent weed growth, it also helps manage draining and will prevent flooding on your paver surface.

How Thick Should Paver Sand Be?

Sand is used instead of a messy mortar to hold pavers in place for patios and walkways. A compact bed of sand is installed underneath the pavers to provide a cushioned foundation. The thickness of the paver sand is crucial to proper installation of the pavers. With that said, the standard depth for paver sand is one inch. If you put more than one inch of sand, the pavers will quickly become misaligned and uneven.

How to Lay Pavers in Paver Sand

The major benefit to building a patio with pavers is that since the pavers are not locked in place with mortar it is much easier to replace or repair them as needed. Proper base for pavers is usually 4 inches of gravel, and 1 inch of paver sand (or polymeric sand) on top.

  • Dig the work space about 8 inches deep, depending on the thickness needed for each base layer. A depth of 8 inches is suitable for 4 inches of gravel, 1 inch of paver sand, and pavers that are approximately 3 inches thick.
  • Pour 4 inches of gravel into the area, level with a rake, and compact using a temper.
  • Apply an even, 1-inch layer of sand on top of the compact gravel.
  • Lay out the pavers first to determine the desired pattern, then work from the corner inwards. Leave about ¼ inch between each paver.
  • Sprinkle paver sand into the joints and sweet into the gaps with a broom.

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Related Questions

Is play sand safe?

If you are a parent, it’s normal to be concerned about the things that your child is being exposed to on a daily basis – especially when it comes to the sandbox. In fact, it is a common concern among parents that play sand may contain silica dust. Although play sand commonly contains crystalline silica, there is no evidence that the concentration is high enough to be harmful.It’s important to consider that silica is actually found in many natural sources, including sand found on the beach. Ultimately, it’s up to you as the parent to decide if play sand is right for your children. There are also some excellent alternatives for play sand that claim to be silica-free.


How long after installing polymeric sand can you seal pavers?

Customarily, paver manufacturers recommend waiting at least 90 days after polymeric sand has been installed to apply a sealant on the paver surface. Nowadays, in most cases, waiting 30 days is enough time to allow any remaining natural efflorescence in the pavers to evaporate. Regardless, the surface of the pavers must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared before you can apply any sort of protective sealant.


How do I know if my polymeric sand has been wetted enough?

Proper wetting of polymeric sand is crucial to ensure stabilization of the paver joints. To guarantee that the sand is sufficiently wetted, we recommend generously watering the sand until a thin, whitish layer starts to emerge from the joints. This is a good sign to stop watering that specific section of the surface and move on to another one.

Jessica Stone
Jessica Stone

Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.

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