Joint sand and hard joint - Johannes at Stenbolaget explains

We have interviewed ourselves! Or rather Johannes, store manager at Stenbolaget Sköndal, who is one of our seasoned product experts. Here, Johannes explains the difference between different joint types and their areas of use.

Hi John! Why is it so important to joint your outdoor floor?
Hello! Joining your outdoor floor is connected with distributing the load on the surface, as well as fixing the stones in place. A joint also prevents settling on your surface.

What types of joints do you recommend for which material?
In most cases, I recommend a flexible hard joint. This gives you a much easier-to-maintain surface. It also means that you avoid most of the weed problems. These joints in combination with more modern setting layers provide an easy-to-maintain and draining surface.

What does flexible hard joint mean and can I use its products all year round?
A flexible hard joint has over time become a collective term for joints that harden when in contact with water or air. These joints are water permeable and have the ability to withstand load and some movement even though it is hard. As there is aggregate in the product, it gives the visual impression of sand. These
products require a certain joint depth and a maximum width of the joint. Unfortunately, you cannot use these products all year round as a certain temperature is required during application.

I want to use flexible hard joint but it's too cold. Can I solve it somehow?
It could be that your paving is ready in October but you want to use the product. From experience, it can be achieved. However, it requires that you protect the surface from the weather. You also need to ensure that the surface is dry and that the weather protection maintains the required temperatures.

A perhaps better way if you really want to use the product could be to use a joint that does not harden. Joint the surface only so that
the stones are fixed and load the surface as little as possible. Then in the spring you can use the hardening joint as it mostly requires 3cm joint depth, which you should have achieved with the impact of a winter.

What are the advantages of choosing a flexible hard joint?
There are several advantages to a flexible hard joint. I would say the maintenance-free surface is the most important advantage. If you use a joint that does not harden, you need more or less joint every spring. Other advantages are that you avoid weeds and ants. The largest amount of weeds comes from above and with a hard joint this may or may not take root. This is provided that you have done the sub-work correctly and that there are no weeds coming from below. A non-hardening joint can unfortunately also have a tendency to run away during torrential rain, etc. This, in turn, can lead to subsidence and unevenness in the surface.

What should I consider when using the Dynamatrix product and how do I apply it?
It is first and foremost important that the surface is dry and that there is a 24-hour temperature of at least 10 degrees. Joint the surface diagonally with a dense brush for best results. Something that will give you optimal results is to rent a ground vibrator with a rubber mat to "vibrate" the product properly into the joint cracks before the second pull. When watering, you should use a sprinkler gun for your garden hose. Set this to as fine a jet as possible to avoid the joint splashing around.

What should I consider when using the product Pavifix and how do I apply it? Can I, as a happy amateur, use this product?
Pavifix is ​​another type of hard joint product. It is designed to cope with wider joints and in some cases shallower joint depths. This is a product that cures with air and the process starts as soon as you open the cap. It is absolutely possible to use this product as an amateur, but there are a few points you should think about. Once in place, this joint is very good.

Please consult us if this product is suitable for your surface.

• The surface must be so wet that it is saturated and cannot absorb the product
• Application is for best results with a rubber squeegee
• Excess product is rinsed and brushed away

What is decorative joint and when is it used?
Decorative joint and joint sand , dear child has many names. This is a joint that does not harden. Here there is an anthracite-colored and a light gray to match paving stones and concrete slabs. These products are most often used for larger public areas, squares and additions. Not the joint I myself would have chosen for mine
garden, but it fulfills its function in a good way.