Jointing Sand and Material for
Walkways and Patios

Jointing sand has become an essential material for completing your patio or walkway. Sand for pavers now has binders designed to help eliminate weeds and prevent erosion. There are different products on the market to choose from that can offer benefits to you. Make sure that you choose the right paver sand for your needs.

Dream-yard is always looking for products that help homeowners and professionals by finding and presenting them to you on our site. EnviroSTONE and EnviroSAND are two more quality jointing materials that you may find valuable.

We do not endorse these products for monetary gain. We simply provide information to you, on things we think are cool and relevant in the industry. We want to provide you with an ongoing education. What you do with it from there is up to you. If you have any feedback on your experiences with this, or any other products, please visit our contact us page to let us know.

We hope you enjoy this article and enjoy the rest of our site. We are a new site, so please subscribe to our RSS feed or bookmark us, and visit frequently as we add new material each week.

Thanks so much and have a wonderful day.

The Dream-yard Team

Profile: Envirobond

Controls Erosion • Self Healing • Insect Deterrent • Weed Deterrent • Flexible • Environmentally Friendly!

Envirobond recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary on March 29, 2011.

President, CEO and Founder, Mike Riehm completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental/Agricultural Science at the University of Guelph. During this time, Mike began his studies on the properties of natural swellable gums as a key proponent for Erosion control products. Mike’s focus was to use the technology found in nature to create uniquely functional products for a specific use. By mixing a powdered plant gum with crushed aggregate, Envirobond was created as an alternative to Asphalt for trails and pathways. This trailway product, when activated by water, hardened up and provided erosion resistance against washouts.

Shortly after the success of the trailway product, it was noticed that contractors began using it as a joint filler for large natural stone joints, such as flagstone. This niche market was uncovered as a tremendous opportunity.

In March of 2001, Envirobond Products Corporation was founded to launch its line of bagged jointing materials into the hard landscaping (known as Hardscaping) industry. EnviroSTONE combines crushed aggregate screenings with the Organic binder for larger joints (such as flagstone etc.). EnviroSAND combines fine jointing sand with the Organic binder designed specifically for Paving Stone joints.

By using the gelling properties of the plant product, the EnviroSAND and EnviroSTONE effectively controlled erosion and prevented the jointing material (typically loose sand) from washing out of the joints. However, because this plant based glue was Organic, it was prone to natural biodegradation. Although the product was incredibly functional and successful, its lifespan became a limiting factor.

Immediately, Envirobond began research on developing improvements to prevent this rapid biodegradation.

Continual field studies and research projects with professors from the University of Guelph as well as top Natural Gum Scientists from Agriculture Canada were instrumental in the discovery and advancement of the new technology that put Envirobond on the map. This discovered technology not only improved the longevity of the glue, but it also improved the strength as well as added a level of Natural Weed Deterrence. In 2004, Envirobond filed for its first patent.

Envirobond now manufactures and sells the EnviroSAND and EnviroSTONE in Canada, USA and over 7 countries in Europe. Envirobond has become a staple product for the professional contractor marketplace for the past 10 years. With a continual focus on Green Science research, Envirobond has maintained a working relationship (over 6 years) with Agriculture Canada as its lead arm on all elements of Research and Development.

By focussing on a renewable plant resource as the key ingredient, Envirobond is proud to say “We were Green before Green was cool”.

EnviroSTONE Plus

EnviroSTONE Plus uses the environmentally friendly, plant based organic binder (Organic-Lock) to join the fines of crushed stone screenings together. The coarse particle size distribution of the crushed stone, is the contributing factor to an integral strength designed specifically for large joints.

Erosion Control: EnviroSTONE Plus substantially reduces joint material loss in segmental systems caused by rainfall erosion. When activated by water, it forms an adhesive gel, bonding the crushed stone particles together. This gel, physically holds the aggregate together,while creating a thin film on the surface whenever it is wet. This film then acts as a buffer zone for which the water can travel over.

Weed Deterrent: By elevating the pH of the system, EnviroSTONE Plus naturally creates a toxic environment in which seedlings can’t germinate. Weed growth is therefore, effectively deterred with this natural weed deterrent.

Flexible: Because of the organic, swellable gum, EnviroSTONE Plus remains completely flexible to withstand thermal movement or settlement of the subbase materials. Synthetic jointing materials (like Polymeric Sand) use a chemical reaction to get hard, which can result in cracking or damage, turning a segmental system into a monolithic unit.

Self-healing: Unlike other synthetic or "polymeric" materials, EnviroSTONE Plus (because of its organic binder) can actually re-heal itself in the joint. In conditions where shifting from movement may occur, the onset of water, reactivates the gel each time to heal the material and mould it to the shape of the new joint.

Lift and Re-lay: Lifting and replacing stones is easy by moistening the joint with water. This creates the needed flexibility to remove a stone, adjust it and replace it where needed. Creating a solid, stable surface that can be easily altered, gives even the beginner the confidence to create.

No Surface Staining: Using the unique 2 stage watering process, surface staining is avoided! Because the organic binder swells immediately when in contact with water, its erosion control properties are active much faster than any other chemical product. By activating the EnviroSTONE Plus with a slight mist on installation, the very top layer quickly develops its protective film. This allows for a stronger follow up spray that easily cleans the surface. Spraying too heavily when using a chemical product, like polymeric sand, results in the leaching of its binders.

EnviroSAND Plus

EnviroSAND Plus designed specifically for pavers, combines high grade angular joint sand, conforming to the specifications of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), blended with the plant based binder, Organic-Lock for optimal joint lock-up in segmental paver systems. e.g. - interlocking stone Organic-Lock is the strongest, Self-Healing Organic glue on the market. It is made from 100% Naturally Occurring Materials!

Erosion Control: EnviroSAND Plus substantially reduces joint sand loss in paver systems caused by rainfall erosion. When activated by water the Organic-Lock forms an adhesive gel, bonding sand particles together. This gel, physically holds the sand together, while creating a thin film on the surface of the joint whenever it is wet. This film acts as a buffer zone for which the water can travel over, preventing washouts!

Weed Deterrent: By elevating the pH of the system, EnviroSAND Plus naturally creates a toxic environment in which seedlings can’t germinate. Weed growth is therefore, effectively deterred with this natural weed deterrent.

Flexible: Because of the organic, swellable gum, EnviroSAND Plus remains completely flexible to withstand thermal movement or settlement of the subbase materials.

Self-healing: Unlike other synthetic or "polymeric" materials, (because of its organic binder) EnviroSAND Plus can actually re-heal itself in the paver joint. In conditions where shifting from movement may occur, the onset of water reactivates the gel to heal the sand and mold it back, continually taking the shape of the paver joint.

Lift and Re-lay: Lifting and replacing stones is easy by moistening the joint with water. This creates the needed flexibility to remove a stone, adjust it and replace it where needed. Creating a solid, stable surface that can be easily altered, gives even the beginner the confidence to create.

No Surface Staining: Using the unique 2 stage watering process, surface staining is avoided! Because the organic binder swells immediately when in contact with water, its erosion control properties are active much faster than any other chemical product. By activating the EnviroSAND Plus with a slight mist on installation, the very top layer quickly develops its protective film. This allows for a stronger follow up spray that easily cleans the surface. Spraying too heavily when using a chemical product, like polymeric sand, results in the leaching of its binders.

Visit www.envirobond.com for further information.


Go to the Dream Yard Homepage from Jointing Sand