Patio Dilemma: Sandstone,Limestone, Quartz or Granite?!

Arequipa · 15-04-2011 11:49AM #1

Hi! I hope you are all well. I have a small front & back garden and am looking at putting in a patio;it is about 40 sq metres in total. I have got a few quotes ranging from 2.5K to 3.5K.
My issue is what stone to build patio with:
1) Indian/Mint Sandstone looks great, bright, but is porous and very difficult to maintain. You can get a sealer which will protect it for approx 1 year and reapply. My Uncle is an architect and advised against sandstone; it gets very dirty and green in our damp climate!
Cost 23 Euro per sq metre.
2) Quartz looks nearly as bright as sandstone, but is a much tougher and harder rock requiring less maintenance, but costs 43 Euro psq metre.
3) Granite is like quartz hard and durable, but very dark, looks conservative and very expensive.
4) Limestone seems to be a good compromise; is not too expensive, is durable and more suited to our environment. But it is quite dark. I saw a Blue Limestone in Outhaus which was very nice!

So any advice on what stone to use?

I appreciate any advice!

Arequipa.

sydthebeat · 15-04-2011 12:00PM

while sandstone looks great, maintenance is an issue, and cannot be cleaned with an acid based paving cleaner, it would destroy it.

Arequipa · 15-04-2011 12:12PM

Thank you for your reply. I have been told; if you apply a liquid sealer 2 months after putting down the sandstone & then each year; this will protect it;

Would you agree with this?

Thank u!

Carlow52 · 15-04-2011 03:27PM

depending on the application/usage/etc patios with gravel in a gravel stabilizer can work very well. The benefits include
no drainage issues
no annual cleaning
no risk of slime/moss/ crap growing on it making them lethal for elder people.
easier to lay

the disadvantages:
well let someone else offer them:)
there is a perception that the stabilizer is expensive

they are used in many of of national parks/places of interest: eg newgrange/ cliffs of moher/giants causeway

Stevie Dakota · 15-04-2011 04:22PM

Sandstone is great when it's clean. I powerhose ours every summer and it comes up great. Does get slimy in winter on the north facing side. If you don't fancy powerhosing it I would avoid.

rok · 15-04-2011 06:39PM

Some nice pics of Indian sandstone here
http://www.homesandgardens.ie/pavingGal.html
Like the ones in the 1st two pics,
think the general product name is raj green and autumn brown

Arequipa · 15-04-2011 06:59PM

Thank you! My front garden faces east by SE & back garden is enclosed by a 7 foot wall & faces North North West; gets sun after 12pm/1pm especially in summer when sun is high.

I have put down fresh lawn sod of about 30 sq metros & am going to put patio to the front and side; so just looking at a clean, neat finish & if possible brighten up place a bit!

So originally I planned on Indian Sandstone & recently have really liked Kota Blue Limestone; which would be more durable?

Thank u!

Mellor · 18-04-2011 02:59AM

Arequipa wrote: »

1) Indian/Mint Sandstone looks great, bright, but is porous and very difficult to maintain. You can get a sealer which will protect it for approx 1 year and reapply. My Uncle is an architect and advised against sandstone; it gets very dirty and green in our damp climate!
Cost 23 Euro per sq metre.
2) Quartz looks nearly as bright as sandstone, but is a much tougher and harder rock requiring less maintenance, but costs 43 Euro psq metre.
3) Granite is like quartz hard and durable, but very dark, looks conservative and very expensive.
4) Limestone seems to be a good compromise; is not too expensive, is durable and more suited to our environment. But it is quite dark. I saw a Blue Limestone in Outhaus which was very nice!

Sandstone is hardest to clean but also best choice for paving imo.

I'm not sure what the quartz is, but it was prob granite (granite is made up of quartz). Pure quartz is mostly translucent. It doesn't have to be dark. Wide range of colours availible. Some conservative, some not.

Lime stone is very dark as you mentioned. Basically you have to pick between what is easy to clean and maintain and what looks best

icbarros · 18-04-2011 11:57AM

My personal favorite is Granite.
Reasons:
- Hard
- Resistant to fracture
- Resistant to frost/weather resistant/highly stable thermally
- Almost negligible porosity
- Chemical resistant
- Consistency in color and texture

I don't agree when you say granite looks conservative. Granite slabs are a popular choice for many contemporary gardens.

There are different colors of granite, mainly pinks, reds, and greys. If you don't like the greys or black there are lighter colours (for example the Asian Beige).

In relation to the prices, it depends on what type of granite you are choosing. I got a recent quote for bush hammered slabs ("standard" grey) 600x400x30 or 500x500x30 for €28+VAT/m2 and for the Lt Asian Beige Bush hammered €55+VAT/m2.

FergusD · 18-04-2011 01:28PM

I'm going for granite myself, again for similar reasons.

1). It's in keeping with the cills in the stone part of the house.
2). Limestone over time will break up in frost, etc. and become uneven (this is more of an issue for our original crazy-paving plan using building stone).
3). Sandstone is high maintenance which doesn't appeal to me, it's not in keeping with the house and is not a local material (neither is granite but is less obviously non-local).

I didn't find the price premium for Granite too high over my other options. Price wise I'm looking at 600 x 400 x 30 at 29 Euro/m2 including VAT and delivery. Fitting I'm told should be about 2 days work at 120 Euro/day for 50 sq metres odd, from where I'm at currently with hardcore down, etc.

Fergus.

fioc · 01-08-2011 07:27PM

Hoping to do granite patio myself soon dv... Can I ask does anyone know name of protectant u can use on granite to protect against staining/moss etc??? When should it be applied?

Sonnenblumen · 01-08-2011 11:14PM

fioc wrote: »

Hoping to do granite patio myself soon dv... Can I ask does anyone know name of protectant u can use on granite to protect against staining/moss etc??? When should it be applied?

Save yourself some disappointment, avoid the cleaners and instead invest in a good power washer. That's all you'll require to keep granite clean and fresh looking.;)

fioc · 04-08-2011 10:33PM

Thanks so much 4 that...much appreciated...Wasnt sure what to do until now...Power hose it is!

Patio Dilemma: Sandstone,Limestone, Quartz or Granite?!

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