Choosing the Right Paver Jointing Material: Which is the Best Option for Your Project?

When it comes to paver installations, what’s between the joints matters just as much as the stone itself. Whether you’re a homeowner investing in your outdoor space or a contractor delivering long-term performance, choosing the right jointing material can make—or break—the project.

The Current Top 3 Options

1. Polymeric Sand

Polymeric sand is a mix of fine sand and water-activated polymers that harden after installation. Due to the nature of this polymer technology, the joint remains partially flexible. When it gets wet, it softens slightly, which has both pros and cons.

Pros:

• Easy to install and widely available 
• Inexpensive upfront cost 
• Assists in reducing weeds and insect activity 
• Has flexibility and, if it stays intact, can “self-heal” some cracks associated with paver movement.

Cons:

• Surfaces must be completely dry to install.
• Washes out or breaks down over time due to the softening that occurs when it gets wet. 
• Cannot be aggressively cleaned with a pressure washer, making it difficult to maintain its original color 
• Susceptible to algae and mold growth
• Limited durability under heavy traffic 
• Breaks down quickly in sustained wet conditions

2. Water-Installed 1-Part Resin 

Water-installed 1-part resins offer a step up in ease and appearance. They also must dry out to cure and bring with them their own pros and cons listed below for your consideration.

Pros:

• Air-cured, easy-to-use material(no mixing required) 
• Can be installed in wet conditions
• As long as you keep it wet, it can be manipulated
• Does not soften significantly when it gets wet, thus making it possible to clean using light pressure washing.
• Easier to maintain the original color
• Permeable, allowing better dry out when the base is constructed with permeable systems, thus resisting more algae growth. 
• Life expectancy is typically higher than its polymeric sand counterpart

Cons:

• Must dry out to cure. Not good for areas that do not dry out well
• Can be broken down by high alkaline cleaners.
• A more rigid material. Can be a pro and con depending on the base construction
• Has very little flexibility to compensate for any uneven paver movement.

3. 2-Part Epoxy Resin

Unlike water-activated or air-cured single-part sands, 2-part epoxy resins offer a true chemical cure that is not dependent on moisture evaporation for joint hardening, delivering significantly greater durability and longevity.

Pros:

• Chemically cured for superior strength (even in wet conditions)
• Highly resistant to all household cleaners and most commercial cleaners
• Long lifespan with minimal maintenance 
• Can be aggressively pressure-washed, thus able to maintain its original color much longer.
• Slightly permeable
• Extreme adhesion capabilities
• Great option for pedestrian, pool, and driveway applications
•  GFTK 850 is water-friendly and can be installed in the rain. 

NOTE: Not all two-part resins are the same.

Cons:

• Higher up-front cost 
• More of a technical installation than its counterparts. (Not hard when understood, but when installation mistakes are made, they often prove to be more difficult to remedy)
•  When the installation methods are not understood, a resin sheen can occur. (Know your product! Some two-parts such as GFTK, are much easier than others because of their water-friendly capabilities) 
• More flexible than concrete, but still a very rigid material that requires proper base installation to reap all its pros!

Why Contractors Are Moving to GFTK VDW 850?

So, which is the Best Paver Jointing Product for my Project?

Each of these options are a solid choice: 

• Polymeric sand: budget-friendly, but maintenance-heavy
• 1-part resin: convenient upgrade, but limited strength
• 2-part epoxy (VDW 850): unmatched durability and performance

But for contractors looking to reduce callbacks—and homeowners who want long-term peace of mind—GFTK VDW 850 is a clear, professional-grade choice that we strongly recommend that outperforms the alternatives. Give it a try!