Introduction to Natural Stone
Natural Stone is a material formed over millions of years when heat and pressure condense minerals into solid rock โ it is then quarried/mined from the earth for both residential and commercial use.
Natural Stone paving is ideal for creating uniquely stunning patios for dining, seating and walkways as it features unique variations in colour, texture, and veining, giving each piece a distinct appearance โ allowing you to create a unique space that matches your design requirements.
Benefits of Natural Stone
The benefits of using natural stone are endless, its considered a more premium option compared with porcelain alternatives, enhancing the value of the space. It further offers unique and distinctive natural variations in colour, veining, and texture which canโt be achieved when using porcelain paving products.
> Durability
Ensuring the proper care and maintenance of natural stone will increase its overall longevity for years to come, its further known for its weather-resistant properties (improved with sealants), and its ability to last on heavy foot traffic.
> Aesthetic Appeal
Natural Stone is perfect for achieving an eye-catching aesthetic appeal due to the variety of different stone materials available; including sandstone, limestone and granite, each offering distinctive colours, veining and textures. Itโs a popular option to achieve a more traditional paving patio finish, providing a more natural appearance.
> Low Maintenance
Natural Stone is relatively low maintenance as its naturally resistant to heat, scratches and bad weather. However, it may require some regular sealing to ensure its resistance is maintained for years to come. Due to the likely discolouration of natural stone overtime, especially for black limestone paving, this sealing process is vitally important.
Types of Natural Stone Paving
We supply a variety of natural stone paving materials including Sandstone, Limestone and Granite; each offering unique and distinctive characteristics.
> Sandstone
Sandstone is a type of sedimentary rock formed from sand grains that are bound together by minerals. With its natural beauty and warm tones, sandstone adds a rustic touch to any outdoor space, making it a favoured option for paving. However, itโs worth noting that sandstone can fade and suffer from acid damage more easily than other materials, so sealing it is a wise choice to maintain its appearance.
> Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock rich in calcium carbonate, limestone is admired for its natural charm and flexibility. Itโs an ideal material for numerous applications, particularly in outdoor settings like gardens. With its moderate durability and maintenance requirements, limestone is a practical and attractive choice for enhancing any landscape.
> Granite
Granite is an igneous rock featuring feldspar, quartz, and mica, is well-known for its impressive strength and durability. Its ability to resist scratches and stains makes it a preferred choice for areas with heavy foot traffic. While it requires little maintenance, granite often comes at a higher cost than other natural stone materials.
Natural Stone Applications
> Interior & Exterior Flooring
Its popular to use natural stone for all types of flooring requirements, including both interior and exterior paving projects due to the variety of colours, shapes, types, and sizes available allowing for endless design possibilities.
Incorporating natural stone flooring into your home is a good way to boost its value and overall aesthetic appeal. Granite paving, while more costly due to their increased durability and refined finish, are a premium flooring option especially for areas with heavy traffic. The more popular, cost-effective options would be sandstone and limestone materials, providing a more organic appearance that highlights the stone's natural beauty.
> Feature Walls Wall Cladding
One of the more common applications for natural stone is feature walls. Feature walls are now seen as common place for adding character to your home. Using natural stone for both interior and exterior walls can be particularly striking, as they allow for a range of creative designs. Given that feature walls are rarely touched, you can embrace the use of textured natural stone without the worry of them getting damaged.
> Driveway Block Paving
As we move into a modern world dominated by concrete, driveway ideas now incorporate natural stone options to add a touch of traditional style and charm. Throughout history, stone has been used in paths and walkways, and now in driveways โ its durable and lasts an exceptionally long time, especially with proper maintenance using modern stone sealing products.
We provide a range of natural stone driveway paving options, from block paving to cobble setts; including sandstone, limestone and granite to help you achieve your desired driveway appearance โ each having its own unique characteristics.
For home driveways that regularly take heavy traffic from vehicles, Granite natural stone is the preferred option as its more durable than any other type of natural stone and requires less maintenance.
Choosing the Right Stone for Your Project
Itโs important to choose the correct natural stone for your project requirements, as some are more suitable than others. As mentioned, granite paving options are more suitable for areas with heavy foot/vehicle traffic for example driveways due to their increased durability compared with limestone or sandstone options โ however, granite does have a higher price tag due to these characteristics.
For patios with little foot traffic and areas that were created to enhance the appearance of your outdoor space, sandstone and limestone are the preferred options โ sandstone being popular for generic paved patio areas and limestone being a close second.
Maintenance Tips
Its recommended to regularly clean your Natural Stone paving, it doesnโt require much maintenance, however this regular sealing helps to prevent the accumulation of grime and enhances natural stones longevity and durability. Itโs important to understand the importance of regular natural stone sealing and the difference in sealing products based on the natural stone materials selected for your project.
Sealers are created to suit specific materials, like our professional grade
EASYSeal Natural Stone Sealer & Protector suitable for concrete and all natural stone products, including sandstone, granite and limestone.
For black limestone paving, we offer a specific
Back To Black Limestone Sealer, designed to bring your faded limestone paving back to its original colour โ you can apply this sealant straight after installation to help โmaintainโ its appearance.
Consider applying a new sealant to your patio slabs every year or two, and especially after new paving has been installed. A good sealant protects against stains and can enhance the durability of your slabs, protecting against external factors like bad weather conditions and mould/algae growth. Sealers are created to suit specific materials like porcelain, natural stone and concrete.
