Gator Nitro vs. Polyermic Sand: The 5 Main Differences
Gator Nitro is very different from polymeric sand. In this article, we’ll discuss the primary differences between these two joint materials to help you determine which one will be the better choice for your unique application.
1. Nitro can be installed rain or shine.
If you’re using Gator Nitro, rainy weather is not going to shut down your job because Nitro can be installed in rain or shine. In fact, the surface needs to be very wet in order to install it properly so the rain can actually be helpful! This is not the case with polymeric sand. If your surface is wet, you’ll have to pack it in and wait to install once conditions dry up. This equates to valuable time wasted.
2. Nitro provides top-to-bottom strength.
Gator Nitro gets hard from top-to-bottom, and there’s very little flexibility within the joint. Polymeric sand works a little differently and typically forms a crust that might be anywhere from a half inch to an inch thick. A polymeric sand joint offers a durable, resilient and flexible crust supported by densely packed sand underneath. Gator Nitro doesn’t provide flexibility so you’ll have to make sure there is no movement of the pavers or stones.
3. Nitro is for pedestrian and RESIDENTIAL use only.
Because Gator Nitro will harden from top-to-bottom and offers very little flexibility, it’s only intended for pedestrian applications and residential driveways. Need a jointing material that can hold up to heavy vehicular traffic? Our G2 Gator Maxx polymeric sand would be worth exploring.
4. Nitro is permeable.
Poly sands are not permeable. Gator Nitro, on the other hand, sucks water in. It’s important to note that while Gator Nitro is permeable the day it’s installed, over time it might clog up if the surface is not properly cared for. A simple, routine cleaning will take care of this. After 28 days, Nitro is pressure-washer safe. You can hit it lightly with a pressure washer, remove any dirt and debris from the pores, and it will maintain its permeability and last for a long time.
5. Nitro is not for tight joints.
You’ll need at least a 3/16 in. wide joint for Gator Nitro to work properly. You can go up to 2 in. wide. The resins in Gator Nitro make it gummy and cohesive when you’re trying to force it into the joints. Because of that, you won’t be able to get it into those extremely tight hairline joints like you could with polymeric sand.
To Summarize
The five most important things to keep in mind when trying to choose between Gator Nitro and polymeric sand are:
The forecast. If pending rain threatens your project deadline, consider Nitro.
Paver stability. Remember, there is no flex in Gator Nitro. The pavers must be completely secure in order to avoid cracking.
Residential vs. commercial. Nitro is only approved for pedestrian applications and residential driveways. If your project is commercial or intended for heavy vehicular traffic, consider G2 Maxx polymeric sand.
Permeability. Nitro is permeable while polymeric sand is not. Doing a hybrid base installation? You might want to explore Nitro.
Joint width. Due to its gummy consistency, Nitro cannot be adequately fill in tight joints. If your pavers have less than a 3/16 in. joint width, take a look at polymeric sand.
Find this information helpful? Be sure to download a great piece of supplemental content called the Polymeric Sand vs. Gator Nitro Guide.
