How to Choose the Right Cut of Sandstone

Because sandstone is such a versatile building material, and has various different features that make it suitable for a number of different applications, it is important that you choose sandstone that has been cut and finished to suit your needs. In some cases you may want sandstone with a high polish, whereas in other instances you will want a rough finish to prevent slips and a liquid seal applied to prevent the sandstone from absorbing stains.

You also need to find sandstone of the right composition for you. This means choosing the natural rock from a quarry in the right area, to ensure it has the mineral make up you need. If you plan on using your natural rock outside as a patio floor or paving material, you should avoid cuts of sandstone with high amounts of expansive clay in the composition. Clay can warp the sandstone in changing weather, causing the whole paving arrangement to shift and distort.

Because sandstone has a highly porous, it absorbs water and other liquids easily and quickly. Sandstone is still used to great success in wet areas, including bathrooms, kitchens, pool surrounds and anywhere out of doors, after an application of a waterproof sealant. This is necessary if you want to use sandstone outside in high traffic areas and don't want it to stain, especially from chemicals or salt around pools, or if you want to use your sandstone as a hygienic work surface.

Natural sedimentary rock is such a useful construction material because it is exceptionally hard and sturdy. This allows it to be used as the main material in buildings meant to stand for centuries and as a flooring material in high traffic and multi-use areas. However, it also makes sandstone very difficult to cut and work with if you don't have the proper tools. If you plan on doing a paving or wall tiling job yourself with sandstone, you should choose exactly the size of paver you want to use, to avoid having to cut problems with cutting the rock. For edges, you can try using smaller pavers to fill out the space.

Unless you choose a man made alternative, it is impossible to have consistent colour and patterning across a collection of sandstone pavers. This natural texture and variation is, however, what makes sandstone beautiful and special, and should be embraced for its decorative potential. Simply choose the shade of sandstone you prefer, whether that is a rosy red hue or pale beige, and let the variations of colour flow throughout your paving arrangement.