Sandstone

What is Sandstone?

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formed when sand grains (mostly quartz) are cemented together by silica, calcium carbonate or iron oxide. Because of the iron and mineral content, it carries warm, earthy colors — yellow, beige, tan, red, pink, brown, white and grey — and often shows visible grain and bedding layers. It is softer and more porous than granite, so it is easier to carve and is widely used for feature surfaces.

Properties and finishing

Sandstone is relatively soft and easy to cut and carve, but its higher porosity means exterior pieces are often sealed, and paving uses a flamed, bush-hammered or natural split finish for grip. Interior tiles and slabs can be honed or polished, though polished sandstone is less common than honed or textured. Finishes include natural cleft (split-face for cladding), flamed, bush-hammered, honed and sawn.

Applications

Sandstone is commonly used for exterior and interior wall cladding (mushroom/split-face cultural stone panels), garden paving, walkways and patios, floor tiles, feature walls and fireplaces, carved fountains, columns and reliefs, and landscape rock. Warm yellow and red sandstones are especially popular for traditional and rustic architecture.