Quality Indian Sandstone
Quality Indian Sandstone from ET Clay Products Limited
When people think about having a new patio, they are faced with a bewildering array of paving slabs to choose from. Many of the slabs for sale at the local DIY centre look great, but are they really up to the job?
When attempting to decide on what slab to buy out of this seemingly endless display, it is worth considering what the slab is actually made from.
Many outlets label their entire collection as ‘stone slabs’, but are they really made from stone? The chances are that the vast majority of these slabs are man made concrete slabs that have been manufactured in moulds to immitate the pattern, texture and patina of the natural stone product.
The difference between natural Indian Sandstone and concrete slabs
Paving stones are the first choice for a garden path or patio, but what is the difference between Indian Sandstone and concrete pavers?
The difference in composition between Indian Sandstone and concrete paving slabs
Indian Sandstone is a natural, quarried rock that is cut and shaped into paving slabs. Concrete paving slabs are fabricated from a composite mix of water, cement and aggregate. The concrete mix is colours with all sorts of different tints to match all manner of stone. The concrete mixture is then poured into shaped moulds and left to dry and harden.
Shape differences between Indian Sandstone and concrete pavers
Concrete pavers come available in a wide variety of different shapes, patterns and sizes. Indian Sandstone is a very durable paving choice that provides a wide range of design options. Shapes and sizes of Indian Sandstone pavers are quite limited, although it is quite easy to cut or shape it to fit your own design requirements as it is a soft rock.
Colour and texture differences between Indian Sandstone and concrete pavers
Indian Sandstone slabs tend to have a rather even colour and a fine texture to them. The variety of available colours can be somewhat limited owing to the fact that it is a totally natural product. On the whole, Indian Sandstone paving slabs come in shades of grey, cream or tan. Black limestone is available, and has become a very fashionable choice for the modern patio, but it can fade after constant exposure to sunlight, so is better suited to a partially shaded area. Limestone can also be susceptible to acid rain damage, causing pitting and wear. So if you live in an area with high acid rainfall, it would be wise to take the necessary precautions of having a covered patio or choosing a different paving material. Concrete pavers can be tinted in a wide variety of colours and finishes and may even be stained, stamped or designed to resemble natural stone or brick.
Beware of cheaper softer Indian Sandstone and limestone from other suppliers!
More and more people in the United Kingdom and around the world look for natural stone from abroad to landscape their gardens, because it is usually cheaper than stones produced locally. The main reason for this is the fact that the labour costs in India are much lower than other locations around the globe. ET Clay Products Limited always ensure that we import our Indian Sandstone and limestone from verified quarries in India. Here the workers are paid a fair wage and are issued with the correct health and safety equipment and clothing to carry out their jobs. The quarries we use also have sound ecological policies on sustainability of the environment.
The sad fact is that in many Indian quarries, children are forced to work in very poor conditions producing stone setts, carrying heavy loads, wielding sledge hammers and operating jack hammers, without any protective clothing, gum shields or even gloves. This is why ET Clay Products Limited verify the source of our Indian Sandstone, because unless it comes from a verified source, there simply is no way of knowing exactly how it has been produced, or at what cost to the local population or the environment they live in.
Another issue with the cheaper and softer Indian Sandstone is that it can be very soft and take in a large amount of moisture from the British climate. Sometimes the paving slabs have started to turn green with algae before they have even been removed from their packing crates.
ET Clay Products Limited make certain that all of our Indian Sandstone and limestone is of the highest quality and is not the soft variety that soakes up water like a sponge. Our Indian Sandstone and limestone will remain looking good indefinately.
Cost of Indian Sandstone, compared with concrete pavers
The cost varies greatly between Indian Sandstone, limestone and concrete pavers. Generally you can expect to pay up to four times more for Indian Sandstone and limestone than you would for concrete pavers. This may seem like an unnecessary expense when you consider that some of the better quality concrete paving slabs can be stained to resemble Indian Sandstone and limestone. However, no matter how good the concrete paver is and how much it looks like Indian Sandstone or limestone, it isn’t the real thing and will not give the same look, texture and satisfaction that the genuine article would. Like all things desirable, there will always be copies made so that every budget can stretch to a particular look. You simply can’t put a price tag on supreme quality!
Our classic stone is the ultimate in traditional and timeless flagstones. Each piece has a rustic surface which has been finished by hand. This creates a natural and warm look.
Available in nine colours, our collection provides an expensive and traditional finish at costs lower than expected.