By Michael1950
Flintshire,
United Kingdom 
hello all,i am going to grout in between my flagstones again,so what is best sand to use ?? i usually get sharp gritty sand,and what is best ratio to mix...thank you mike.
8 Mar, 2012
Answers
I would go 4 or 5 to 1 for pointing slabs 3 to 1 is a bit strong and brittle, also the high cement content stains the edges of the slabs.Better to use a mix of sharp sand and builders sand as the smaller particles in the building sand helps give a smoother finish to the pointing.
8 Mar, 2012
the best way of doing it is on a warm day . you wet inbetween the slabs . wate for the wet slabs to dry in the sun then brush well mixed 3 to 1 into the gaps . the little bit of dampness left in the gap between slabs is enough to get the cement to go of and slowly so it doesnt crack . you find that eventualy 5 to 1 allows weeds to grow.
8 Mar, 2012
Ill agree to disagree but!!! if the pointing cracks at 5to1 ratio the problem is movement of the slabs, not the mortar (i am a builder/landscaper).
9 Mar, 2012
and im a concrete sculpter we will have to agree to dissagree lol .
10 Mar, 2012
3 to 1 for between and if your laying slabs its 5 to 1 .
8 Mar, 2012