Why people go for sandstone
It's a natural stone, split and cut from the quarry, so no two slabs are quite alike. Laid in mixed sizes, it gives you a patio with real character rather than a grid of identical squares.
- Riven or sawn. Riven has the rough, natural split face and suits cottage gardens and older houses. Sawn is cut smooth with sharp edges for a cleaner, modern finish.
- Plenty of colours. Greys, buffs, browns and golds, under names like Kandla grey, Raj green and Autumn brown. Always look at the stone wet as well as dry, because it changes a lot.
- Calibrated or hand-cut. Calibrated slabs come at an even thickness and give a flatter finish. Hand-cut slabs vary and need more skill to lay level.
Laying it properly
Sandstone needs everything a good patio needs, plus a bit more care:
- A compacted crushed-stone sub-base, deeper where the ground is soft clay.
- A primer on the back of each slab. Sandstone is porous, so priming helps the bond and stops it drawing damp and mortar stains up from underneath.
- Full mortar bed so every slab is supported all over.
- A steady fall away from the house, finishing below the damp-proof course.
- Careful pointing, with mortar or a brush-in compound, keeping it off the face of the stone.
Looking after sandstone
Sandstone weathers, and that's part of its charm. In a damp, shady corner it will pick up some green, and over time you may see the little black lichen spots that turn up on patios all over the North East. None of that means it's been laid badly. It just needs a clean now and again.
Sealing is optional. It can make the stone easier to keep clean but can darken the colour a touch, so talk it through first. What you shouldn't do is go at it with a pressure washer up close. That scars the surface and blows out the joints.
Sandstone or porcelain?
Go for sandstone if you like natural colour and texture and don't mind a bit of upkeep. Go for porcelain if you want everything uniform and as close to no maintenance as you can get. Lots of people use sandstone for the patio and the same stone for steps and paths.
Questions people ask
Does sandstone have to be sealed?
No. Sealing can help with stains and cleaning but can change the colour slightly. We can tell you the pros and cons for the stone you've chosen.
What are the black spots on my sandstone?
Usually lichen. It grows slowly on damp stone and doesn't come off with water. It needs a suitable treatment and a bit of time. Pressure washing tends to make the patio look worse.
Is sandstone OK in a north-facing garden?
It's fine, but expect it to go green faster and need cleaning more often. If the garden gets little sun, porcelain is easier to live with.
How much is an Indian sandstone patio?
That depends on the size, the stone, the groundwork and any extras. See what affects patio prices or get a free quote.
