Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

Sandstone Patio

Posted on April 26th, 2009

When it comes to choosing a natural stone material for garden patios, one of the most attractive paving stones is of course Sandstone. Although now widely available from a number of sources and suppliers, it would be reasonable to say that the vast majority of Sandstone paving available for sale in Ireland today is in fact sourced in India. That said, despite being a very popular choice for garden patios, would be purchasers need to be careful when making selections as grades and qualities can vary considerably. 

Sandstone is available in quite a range of colours and tones, and although there are some very distinct colours available, including buffy cream , pale reds/pinks and Raj green, the ‘Mint’ colour is still a top seller. Don’t be put off by the name as in fact the ‘Mint’ range is predominantly light in tone, contains no green traces whatsoever and is in fact the ubiquitous creamy yellow Sandstone that can be seen everywhere. Being natural you can expect to also find some traces of other colours and tones, with some pale pinks and light browns also present. Before making your final decision on which colour, do remember that the stone can vary considerably in appearance, for example it can look much deeper and more vivid on cold damp days and very pale with the colour almost washed out on warm sunny days. Another interesting aspect to the ‘Mint’ range is the occurence of fossils, and sometimes these can be very impressive. Size of paving slab and layout can have a dramatic effect on results. With most colourways available in a varying of sizes, there are many options for choosing layout and paving slab size. As a general guide I would recommend using one size for small areas eg 600mmx300mm slab and in very large areas, perhaps a range of sizes can be used including 600mmx300mm, 600mmx450mm, 600mmx600mm and 900mmx600mm. Laying out smaller areas, I would recommend a staggered half slab stagger (a bit similar to a soldier course in brickwork), for larger areas, I’d prefer a random pattern using the various sizes.

It is important to consider slab size and layout pattern especially for the smaller areas  because too many sizes or a fussy layout can spoil the end results whereas you should be aiming for a simple and uncomplicated layout to provide a more pleasing and calming  effect of the natural warm tones. 

Patio design must take account of several elements, site aspects especially if the ground involves varyious levels, number of users, nothing worse than having a patio which is too small for the size of group. Try and introduce subtle textures and where possible use the sandstone in various forms eg slab, kerbing/step riser, setts and decorative pebble trims. Any shape is possible and this will be limited to the skill of the layer. Sandstone Patio Circle kits are also available in a range of pre-cut diameter sizes ranging from 2.0m to 4.0m or larger. 

Use planting in or near patio areas can dramatically affect the overall ambiance, plants may be small or specimen and planted in trapped or Raised beds. Try to design a means of using planting between patio and boundary walls. Nobody likes to sit against a wall, so it’s much better to have a buffer zone of planting between patio and wall. Not only does it look better but it is also a more prudent way of spending the money on the paving where it is more likely to be used.  

Finally when it comes to laying, ensure the correct side is up. In comparison to many other natural paving, sandstone has a relatively even surface although the underside can be heavily textured or riven a bit like Liscannor stone. It is surprising how often one sees Sandstone installed upside down! Sometimes the owners may prefer the reverse side on top, but this is not recommended for patio areas, as the variance can lead to a number of problems including trip hazards, and rocking furniture due to the considerable uneveness of the stone. Here are some examples of sandstone patio/paving work from our project portfolio: