I considered sand initially as well and also researched deep litter method. I decided (laziness) that I didn't really like the idea of having to use a scooper and clean the sand every day or so. While it sounds ok I also know that a year from now it might get old. My coop is 6'x8' and I put one bag of pine shaving from rural king down which gave me a couple inches of depth. Then raked up a large trash bag of dead grass/twigs/leaves from around my fence that had been there since last fall. The chicks loved scratching through it and I can honestly say after 3 weeks there is no foul smell in the coop. My plan is to add grass clippings, leaves, etc each week after I mow. Then in the fall and spring clean it out and spread it on my garden.
Sorry I didn't answer your sand question but I didn't know what other options you had researched.