To build a stylish and enduring outdoor area, the first step is identifying the best material. Few materials can compete with the timeless beauty and strength of Indian sandstone. Whether you’re making a delightful garden path or an impressive patio, understanding how to lay Indian sandstone paving will lead to a beautiful finish that will be structurally sound.
In this guide, we aim to guide you through every process of laying Indian sandstone paving. For instance, you will understand groundwork preparation and finishes, considering good quality paving, like Autumn Brown Natural Sandstone Paving and Kandla Grey Honed Sandstone Paving.
1. The Reasons Indian Sandstone is the Ideal Outdoor Choice
Before getting into how to lay Indian sandstone slabs, it’s a good idea to understand why this material is still a prevalent option for designers and homeowners alike. Indian sandstone boasts warm, inviting colors, a unique veining pattern and is very durable over time.
Compared to other (paving) stones, sandstone Indian paving represents both a pleasant aesthetic that is easy to work with and highly functional, weather-resistant, making it a perfect choice for outdoor patios or pathways, or drives. It suits all architectural styles, be these more contemporary rustic looks, while offering a range of colors and varying shades and tones that spread from soft yellow colors through earthy browns, and subdued grey tones.
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Whether you’re searching for ‘sandstone paving near me’ or planning a DIY project, investing in sandstone means you can be confident that your patio will last for many years with a minimal amount of upkeep.
2. Laying the Groundwork: The Basics of Strength
A proper base is very important when learning how to lay Indian sandstone paving. Without the right groundwork, the most splendid paving slabs will shift or crack over time. Begin by staking the area for marking (using scissors or string) so the design is symmetrical and appropriate for your space.
Steps for preparing:
a. Excavate: Dig 100-150mm deep to remove soil and vegetation.
b. Sub-base: Introduce a layer of compacted MOT Type 1, or crushed stone.
c. Leveling: Check the leveling of the surface with a spirit level.
This step is critical in determining how strong your patio or walkway will be. This is especially true in areas with significant rainfall because good drainage will prevent pooling below your sandstone slabs.
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3. Establishing the Sub-Base: An Essential Part of Longevity
When people ask me how to lay Indian sandstone slabs in that old well, the trick is the sub-base. This layer is critical to the overall installation. A nicely compacted sub-base does two things: it will evenly disperse weight across the area and keep it from settling unevenly over time.
For the best results, you’ll need a wacker plate compactor to do the compaction of the base. When finished, the compacted base should sit around 50-75mm below the intended finished paving level. The sub-base is now finished, and you can add either a thin layer of sharp sand or a mortar mix to the sub-base. A thin layer will make a smooth surface to bed your sandstone slabs onto.
At this point, accuracy is everything; you want to make sure your slope directs the water away from the property to avoid any drain line issues later.
4. Preparing Mortar and Placing it down
Once your sub-base is set, it is now time to prepare your mortar bed, which will hold the slabs in place, and so it’s important to ensure the mortar mix will create a solid, long-lasting bond. The best mortar mix consists of:
- 4 parts sharp sand
- 1 part cement
- Add water to achieve a thick and workable mixture
Use a full mortar bed approximately. 40mm thick for each slab (do not spot bed). This will create a surface that adheres well and reduces the chance of cracking. For a great finish, use Kandla Grey Honed Sandstone Paving, which has a smooth surface and subtle color variations, which makes the overall outdoor flooring design feel more elegant.
Gently place each slab down on the mortar and tap down with a rubber mallet to achieve a flat finish.
5. The Arrangement of the Sandstone – Finding the right layout
Here is the creative part – lay out your slabs however you see fit. If you are using Autumn Brown Natural Sandstone Paving or Kandla Grey Cobblestone Paving, consider which layout will suit your house design.
You might wish to mix slabs of different sizes for a natural layout, and it is important to maintain a constant distance between slabs for jointing later (8 – 10mm is a good average, depending on the size of the slabs). Starting from the corner of the patio, move outwards, ensuring each slab is level as you go.
Tip: It is best to lay the slabs on a shallow fall (1:60) to aid drainage. This will avoid rainfall pooling on the surface and will ensure that your sandstone stays looking new for years to come.
Laying Indian Sandstone in this way guarantees the slabs will fit properly to give the ideal balance between practicality and aesthetics between practicality and aesthetics
6. Pointing and Jointing – Finished
Once all the slabs have been laid, please wait until the mortar has cured for at least 24 hours before jointing. Joining your patio will enhance aesthetics and provide further strength to the build.
You could use either a wet mortar joint or a resin-based joint, depending on the finish you require. All gaps should be filled evenly and scraped off any excess mortar immediately before it cures.
When using mixed materials like Yellow Limestone, Cobblestone Paving, or Kandla Grey Porcelain in patios, jointing materials help provide a continuous, high-end finish while protecting against small gaps that allow for moisture and weeds to grow.
This step finalizes an otherwise basic layout into an elegant statement piece for the garden.
7. Cleaning and sealing, and maintenance advice
Knowing how to lay Indian sandstone paving is one thing; maintaining it to look stunning for many years is another. Regular maintenance will keep your stone full of life and prevent any build-up of moss.
a. Cleaning: Dirt, moss, and other debris can typically be washed off sandstone and porous stones with a solution of warm water and mild soap. Do not use acidic or harsh cleaners, as they will damage the natural stone.
b. Sealing: It is best to apply a quality sandstone sealer to protect the stone from stains or damage from the weather.
c. Seasonally: If your stone has not had debris build up, it is best to sweep it regularly, and reapply sealant every two to three years to maintain its condition.
If your design also has external wall cladding or outdoor tiles for floors, ensure to care for them in this way for the best performance also. Indian sandstone will age beautifully, gaining an even richer patina over time and with minimal upkeep.
The Final Verdict
Knowing how to lay Indian sandstone will allow you to be fully creative. Whether it’s a small courtyard or a large garden, this natural stone is both robust and will look good forever.
Here at Stonecera, we offer a range of yellow limestone paving, with both durability and beauty. We cut all of the slabs to size so that you can fit them without hassle – enabling amateurs to achieve a professional finish!
Indian sandstone is not simply about aesthetics; it is about creating a sense of authenticity in your space, which will last for generations to come. With the one-off quality of Stonecera, you will achieve an exquisite example of outdoor flooring or wall cladding in your setting that will remain beautiful forever.
At the end of the day, laying Indian sandstone is not just a task; it is an art form. With the right materials in place, the right preparation beforehand, and the patience to see it through, you will soon be standing on a beautiful and durable patio.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Sandstones
Q1. What is the correct method to install Indian sandstone paving?
To install Indian sandstone paving, you first want to prepare a compact sub-base, use a full mortar bed, and lay and level each slab one at a time. Maintain joints of 8–10mm for filling, and leave them to cure for at least 24 hours. Using Kandla Grey Honed Sandstone Paving provides a smooth, durable, and elegant finish to any outdoor project.
Q2. Can I lay Indian sandstone slabs on sand?
Ideally, no. Laying Indian sandstone directly on sand will lead to immediate and long-term uneven settling and instability. Using a proper mortar bed with a full bed of mortar for your Indian sandstone paving slabs will help with strong bonding and will facilitate long-term use.
Q3. How long will Indian sandstone paving last?
If it’s properly installed and sealed, Indian sandstone paving will easily last over 25 years or more. A regular cleaning regime, and resealing every few years will help maintain its natural beauty, and avoid weather-related damage.
Q4. What is the difference between sandstone and porcelain paving?
Sandstone offers a natural, rustic look with a porous texture, while porcelain paving like Kandla Grey Porcelain is more uniform, dense, and stain-resistant. Both work together perfectly, but sandstone has a more natural charm for the preferred taste.
