Sandstone (Prices from £18/m2 inc vat & del @ www.stonesRus.co.uk)
Sandstone is easy to work with while being tough and strong. With the world getting smaller and more sandstone being imported into the UK, the cost has fallen dramatically, making it an affordable choice. Having a natural sandstone patio is no longer an expensive option. In fact, it has actually become one of the cheaper options.
Advantages
Aesthetics - Sandstone comes in a huge variety of natural colours, something for almost everyone. Sandstone also provides a distinctive natural look which cannot be matched by manufactured alternatives (concrete and brick). When sandstone gets wet the colours really pop out, arguably making it even more pleasing to the eye than when dry.
Durable - Being a natural stone formed over millions of years sandstone has a very long life. Colours will not fade in the sunlight (unlike man-made options) and will last for many years to come.
Value - Natural stone paving generally adds value to any home making it a worthwhile investment whereas concrete and brick seldom add value.
Strength - Sandstone is a hard stone making it very suitable for patios and driveways. It's hard enough to withstand the heaviest levels of traffic like a busy driveway, yet it is easier to work with than granite.
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Safety - Most sandstone come riven which provides a naturally high anti-slip rating (however some sandstone can come polished, honed or tumbled which will reduce its anti-slip properties). This means no matter the weather you can be safe to walk on your patio without fear of falling over. Perfect for those lucky enough to have a pool.
Things To Consider
Unique - Colours and hue vary from each piece. When sandstone is quarried it is taken from one giant rock which is then processed into smaller pieces. The colours within the rock are not uniform and therefore you will get natural variations. This means your paving is unique to you and the chances that someone has the exact same one as you is very slim.
Tips - While sandstone is hard, accidents do happen (eg dropping a heavy object from a height). Replacing a tile is not very difficult, however finding one to match your laid ones will be, as batches can vary considerably. Always keep some spare tiles - Stones R Us recommend keeping 1-2 extra tiles of each size.
Porous - Sandstone is a porous stone, which means it will absorb water. While this can be an advantage as you will not get big sitting puddles there can be some disadvantages. Mould and algae can build up making the surface tougher to clean. However, this can be mitigated by using a good quality sealer.
Tips - Use a good sealer and finisher when you first lay the stone. (https://stonesrus.co.uk/product-category/cleaners/).
Repeat the process every few years to provide continual protection. Properly sealed sandstone is much easier to clean.
If you didn't seal your paving and there is mould and algae already - Stones R Us have a product called Clean Moss which will remove the mold. After using Clean Moss, use a sealant for further protection .
Staining - As mentioned above sandstone is very absorbent. Coloured liquids can leave permanent damage if not caught early. Acid cleaners and some detergents can also damage the surface.
Tips- Use a good sealant, this will solve the staining from any spills (eg car oil). Before using any cleaner or detergent ALWAYS do a patch test in a small invisible area. Where possible try to use a water-based detergent rather than a solvent-based one
Verdict
It is clear why sandstone is the most popular choice for patios. Natural sandstone used to be reserved for those with very large budgets. Now however with the costs now below £20/ m2 delivered (prices from StonesRus.co.uk) it is very affordable.
While it can seem like sandstone requires a lot of maintenance, if properly sealed sandstone can be very easy to clean and manage. Sandstone used to very expensive and was reserved for those with very large budgets. However now with costs lower than £20/m2, it is actually one of the more cheaper options.
For more information, visit www.stonesrus.co.uk/
