Sandstone Paving Guide
Welcome to Stone Zone's official Sandstone and Limestone Paving Buying Guide! The last five years has seen a surge in paving sales, for both Porcelain Paving and Natural Stone Paving. In this article, we go through the many different ranges of Sandstone and Limestone Paving we offer as well as answering lots of FAQs!
Sandstone Paving
Where do stone paving slabs come from?
Also known as Indian Sandstone Paving, our paving slabs are sustainably and ethically sourced from India. We have used the same suppliers for years and regularly visit the above quarry to check in with the team and the quality of the manufacturing processes.
There isn't much to the manufacturing process - our Sandstone is derived from the beautiful natural stone that comes from India, dating back thousands of years. It then gets cut down to size and udnergoes different procedures depending on the finish of the pavers.
In the above photo, you can see our famous landscaping expert, Charlie Says (Bournemouth Depot Manager) attempting to cut down Indian Sandstone to shape!
Once the paving slabs have been cut down to various sizes, they are safely packed into wooden crates, ready to be delivered via shipping containers to the UK.
Why is Sandstone Paving so popular?
- Creates a natural and characteristic garden patio with its riven surface and variation of colours with the pavers
- Naturally non-slip, even when it's wet! Achieving the industry standard R11 non-skid value
- Eco-friendly paving choice; the minimal manufacturing process and the fact they are naturally-formed stone makes for less energy needed to create the final product
- Long lasting; when laid properly, these paving slabs can last years and years with little maintenance
How to Buy Sandstone Paving
Our Sandstone Paving is more commonly laid as patio packs, which consists of slab sizes: 900 x 600, 600 x 600, 600 x 290, 290 x 290mm.
If you're looking for a single size patio, 900 x 600 and 600 x 600 slabs are also available.
It's easy to order Sandstone or Limestone Paving online - you can order as little as one slab, or you can input how many square metres you need to increments of 5 square metres.
All of our Paving slabs are on dispay at our three depots: Ferndown, Bournemouth and Dorchester. Our Customer Advisors would be pleased to assist you with your purchase.
Best-Selling Sandstone Paving
Umbra Kandla Grey Paving
Umbra Sandstone, also known as Kandla Grey, remains our best-seller for the last two decades. Customers like the natural, grey shades Umbra offers. Umbra creates a patio which looks modern and sophisticated as well as keeping its traditional, rustic appearance.
Golden Fossil Sandstone
Golden Fossil is another top seller and one that we personally love! Fossil has plenty of unique character and even contains real fossils in some of the stone! It consists of golds and mid-browns and really makes a statement outdoors.
Buff Blend Rippon Sandstone
Buff Blend Rippon is a similar colour blend to Fossil, with more regimented golds and browns for a more consistent look. Buff Blend is a lovely option for a bright and inviting patio that works well at the front or back of the house.
Limestone Paving
What's the difference between Sandstone and Limestone Paving?
Although Limestone Paving falls under the same category as Sandstone Paving, it does have slightly different qualities.
The texture varies between the two different stones; Sandstone tends to have more ridges in its finish, with Limestone being slightly smoother. Limestone has the feel of an orange-peel and is generally flatter. Because of this, you can use Limestone for indoor flooring too.
Limestone is also slightly more porous than Sandstone, meaning it lets in slightly more water and will need to be sealed to ensure longevity.
Limestone also comes in square edge, calibrated options, which ensures strength and quality for a long-lasting patio. The square edge options are great for commercial properties.
Best-Selling Limestone Paving
Citron Yellow
Citron is the most popular Limestone option and consists of yellows and golds that make an attractive outdoor space.
Carbon Black
You can rely on Carbon offering a sleek and sophisticated look for any outdoor space. Carbon colours are predominantly dark grey and black, turning pure black when wet.
Aqua Blue
This is another popular choice due to its blue/grey shades. There isn't much variability in this colour choice which some customers like as it gives a consistent patio.
Fernlea Weathered Sandstone
Weathered Paving
What looks nicer?
Selected Sandstone and Limestone Paving colours are available in weathered options. These flagstones have an aged appearance consisting of softer edges and surfaces.
Weathered paving is ideal for period properties wanting the look of flagstones that have been laid for many years, such as wedding venues and courtyards. Customers usually opt for weathered paving for a rustic looking patio as opposed to a modern patio.
This range is calibrated at 22mm to ensure consistency and strength.
Citron and Fernlea are popular colour choices for weathered paving.
Tallow Sawn Sandstone
Sawn Sandstone Paving
Is it worth the extra cost?
Our Sawn Paving ranges make up our Premium Paving range. The most noticeable difference is the smooth and shiny look to the paving.
Sawn means that the paving slabs have been machine cut to create perfectly smooth and regimented lines when laid. This stone is then calibrated to ensure consistent thickness and then polished for an extra smooth finish.
Due to the longer and more meticulous manifacturing process, our sawn range is typically more expensive than our other sandstone. However, the quality and finish reflect these prices and closely mimic porcelain paving.
Circle Kits
What do they add to the garden?
Sandstone Circle Kits add a really nice feature to your garden and can be laid practically anywhere. Circle kits can be laid within a turfed area, a decorative stone area or within the matching sandstone pavers. These make really nice focal points to your garden and are popular for outdoor dining.
Nearly all of our Sandstone and Limestone ranges have matching circle kits. These can be seen at any of our landscaping centres.
Our circle kits come in two different diameter sizes; 2.4m and 3m. The 2.4 metre kit consists of two rings and the 3 metre consists of three.
FAQs
Does Sandstone need sealing?
Sandstone doesn't need sealing, however, it is down to personal choice. One coat of sealant can be applied to Sandstone paving before pointing to protect it against harsh weather such as heavy rain and frost. Sealing it will also prolong its colour, as your sandstone colour will change over time. We would recommend using Azpects EasySeal Enhancer & Sealer.
What's the best way of keeping my patio clean?
It is recommended that you sweep any debris off your paving as and when to avoid marks or stains. We also advise jet washing your patio once a year to ensure it is kept clean. We stock Azpects full range of patio maintenance products, including Azpects Patio & Deck Cleaner.
What is the best way of laying Sandstone paving?
There are many different ways you can lay sandstone paving. We always recommend you seek proffessional advice and hire an experienced landscaper to lay paving. You can use cement or sharp sand as a sub-base also.
If I have more than one crate of Sandstone paving, should I lay the slabs from one crate at a time?
Due to the natural colour variance of Sandstone, it's best to lay the paving randomly from different crates. This will create a fully varied look across the whole patio.
How do I place an order for paving?
Sandstone paving can be purchased in-store or online. You are able to purchase paving as single slabs or in quantities of five square metres online. We offer collection or home delivery, Sandstone and Limestone comes in wooden crates and can be hiabed into your garden upon delivery (local deliveries only).
We hope you have enjoyed reading our Sandstone Paving Guide! Please call us on 01202 874207 if you have any further questions!