Indian Sandstone Patios in York

Why Indian sandstone is so popular

Indian sandstone has been one of the most widely used patio materials in the UK for years, and for good reason. Every slab is slightly different, so a finished patio has a natural, characterful look that sits comfortably beside red brick, stone and render. It is hard-wearing, available in a wide range of colours, and generally costs less than porcelain or British stone. It suits Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, cottages and modern homes alike.

Colours, finishes and sizes

Popular colours include warm, mixed tones such as Autumn Brown and Raj Green, cooler greys such as Kandla Grey, and paler blends such as Fossil Mint. Colours vary from slab to slab and from batch to batch, so we always recommend seeing real slabs, wet and dry, before you decide.

• Riven — the natural split surface, with texture and grip; the classic choice.
• Sawn and honed — smooth, with crisp edges, for a more contemporary finish.
• Calibrated — slabs cut to an even thickness, which makes a flatter finish easier to achieve.
• Patio packs — several slab sizes laid in a random pattern, which suits most gardens.

How we lay a sandstone patio

• Set levels below the damp-proof course where possible, with a fall away from the house
• Excavate and lay a compacted crushed-stone sub-base
• Prime the back of each slab and lay it on a full mortar bed, never spot-bedded
• Lay to a planned pattern so joints are staggered and the patio looks balanced
• Point with a suitable mortar or jointing compound, keeping the slab faces clean to avoid staining
• Finish edges with a border, step or soldier course where needed

Natural stone can stain if wet mortar or cement is left on the surface, so we work cleanly and clean down as we go.

Responsible sourcing

Natural stone imported from India has raised concerns about working conditions in some quarries. When we buy sandstone, we choose suppliers who provide information about how and where their stone is sourced, and we are happy to show you what our suppliers say. If ethical sourcing matters to you, tell us and we will factor it into the products we suggest.

Looking after sandstone

Sandstone is porous, so it weathers and can pick up algae in shaded spots. Brush it regularly, wash it down occasionally, and avoid acid-based cleaners, which can damage the stone. Some people prefer to seal sandstone to reduce staining; it is optional and changes the look slightly, so we will talk through the pros and cons. For a lower-maintenance alternative, see our porcelain patios page, or our main patios page for all options.

Related services

This is part of our patios & paths service in York. We often combine it with patios, driveways and fencing so everything matches.