What is Sandstone?
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formed when layers of sand grains are deposited by water and buried under successive layers of material over geological time. The weight and pressure of overlying sediment compresses and cements the grains together, producing the dense, stratified stone used in construction and sandstone paving.
What Makes Each Piece Unique?
No two pieces of sandstone carry the same grain pattern or tonal banding. The layering, grain size variation and mineral deposits that form during the stone's geological development produce the natural variation visible across an installed surface. This is inherent to the material which gives natural sandstone tiles and pavers their depth and visual character.
Sandstone in Australia
Sandstone has been used in construction across Australia for years. Its combination of thermal properties, surface durability and visual warmth continues to make it one of the most widely specified natural stone choices for residential and commercial sandstone paving in Australia.
What Is the Difference Between Sandstone Tiles and Sandstone Pavers?
The practical difference comes down to thickness. Thickness determines the load each format can carry and the conditions each is suited to.
| Feature | Sandstone Tiles | Sandstone Pavers |
| Thickness | 15mm | 20mm or 30mm |
| Load Capacity | Suited to interior flooring and lower-traffic surfaces on a prepared concrete subfloor | Suited to ground-level exterior paving under regular foot traffic |
| Setting Method | Mortar bed over prepared concrete subfloor | Sand-over-road-base or mortar bed over concrete slab |
| Common Uses | Interior floors, wall cladding, covered exterior surfaces | Exterior ground-level paving, driveways, sandstone garden paving |
Why Choose Sandstone Tiles and Pavers?
| Quality | What It Means for Your Project |
| Natural Grain and Tonal Depth | Each sandstone tile or paver carries its own grain structure formed over millions of years. No two sandstone paving installations look the same. The tonal layering across an installed surface is a direct record of the stone's geological formation. |
| Strong, Long-Lasting Surface | When properly installed on a prepared base and sealed, natural sandstone pavers hold their surface character under regular foot traffic without surface degradation. Correctly maintained sandstone paving in Australia has a service life measured in decades. |
| Wide Tonal Range | Our sandstone range spans multiple tones giving builders, landscapers and designers genuine tonal flexibility. |
| Heat-Reflective Properties | Lighter-toned sandstone pavers absorb less radiant heat than darker stone types - a practical consideration for exterior sandstone paving in Australia that receives significant sun exposure. Sandstone stays noticeably cooler underfoot than concrete and dark stone alternatives. |
| Versatile Format Range | Sandstone can be specified across a project in multiple formats - floor tiles, outdoor sandstone pavers, crazy paving, cobblestones, copings and more - maintaining consistent material character throughout. |
| Ethically Sourced | Our sandstone range is sourced with ethical sourcing practices across our supply chain. |
Sandstone Pavers & Tiles by Finish
The surface finish applied to a sandstone tile or paver affects its texture, tonal expression and practical behaviour underfoot. Stone Depot's sandstone range is available in various finishes, each suited to different conditions and design intentions.
- Honed - A smooth, matte surface with low shine. The stone's natural grain structure and tonal banding are clear and well-defined, with no glare.
- Sandblasted - Fine abrasive applied under pressure produces an even, lightly textured surface. Tonal character and grain come through clearly.
Sandstone Pavers & Tiles by Edges
The edge profile applied to a sandstone tile or paver affects how an exposed edge reads visually and how it performs in its specific application. Stone Depot's sandstone range is available in the following edge profiles.
- Pencil Round - A subtly rounded edge that softens the sharp corner of a square-cut stone without significantly altering its profile. The rounding is fine and restrained.
- Bull Nose - A fully rounded top edge that curves smoothly down to the side face. The profile is generous and softly convex, eliminating any sharp corner entirely.
- Drop Edge - The front face of the stone is extended downward with a visible vertical drop, creating a thicker, more substantial appearance at the edge. The stone appears deeper than its actual gauge.
Sandstone Tiles for Interior Surfaces
Natural sandstone tiles are among the most consistently specified choices in natural stone flooring across residential and commercial sandstone paving projects in Australia. Sandstone flooring brings a natural warmth to interior surfaces that manufactured alternatives cannot replicate. The tonal variation and grain movement across individual sandstone tiles formed naturally during the stone's geological development keeps large floor areas visually rich rather than flat. Sandstone tiles perform well on a prepared concrete subfloor when sealed before installation and maintained with appropriate stone care products.
Sandstone Pavers for Exterior Surfaces
Natural sandstone paving gives exterior surfaces a warm finish with genuine geological depth. The grain structure and tonal layering in each stone give it a visual character that manufactured alternatives cannot replicate. When correctly specified, installed and maintained, sandstone outdoor pavers perform well across a range of conditions in the Australian climate.
How to Install Sandstone Pavers and Tiles?
Correct installation is the most important factor in the long-term performance of sandstone pavers and tiles. Stone Depot recommends engaging a qualified tiler or paving professional for all sandstone installation work.
- Sub-base preparation - A stable, level base is essential before any sandstone tile or paver is laid. For exterior natural sandstone paving, a compacted road base is required. For interior sandstone flooring, a flat, structurally sound concrete subfloor is needed. Specific requirements depend on site conditions and the load the surface must support.
- Bedding - Sandstone tiles and pavers are set into suitable bedding material. Type and depth are determined by the installer based on surface type and site conditions.
- Pre-sealing - Sealing all faces and edges before installation is strongly recommended. This protects the stone from staining during the bedding process - a step that is straightforward to carry out and costly to remedy if skipped.
- Laying and jointing - Joints are filled with an appropriate natural stone jointing material once the stone is set. Joint width, pattern and product selection are determined by the installer.
- Post-installation sealing - A final coat of penetrating natural stone sealer is applied once installation is complete and the surface has been cleaned.
How to Clean Sandstone Tiles and Pavers?
Natural sandstone responds well to regular, gentle care. Keeping to pH-neutral, stone-specific products and avoiding harsh chemicals is the basis of good sandstone flooring and paving maintenance.
Routine Cleaning - Remove loose dust, grit and dirt with a sweep or rinse before washing. Mix a pH-neutral stone cleaner with warm water and apply with a soft mop, microfibre cloth or low-pressure sprayer. Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry. Do not use bleach, vinegar, citrus-based products or all-purpose household cleaners on sandstone tiles or pavers as they etch and dull the surface over time.
Sealing - Before installing sandstone tiles and sandstone pavers, dip-seal all faces and edges. After installation, reseal every two to three years depending on use and exposure levels. A quality penetrating stone sealer reduces the stone's porosity, protecting against spills and moisture penetration, particularly important for exterior natural sandstone paving in the Australian climate.
What to Avoid
- Acid-based cleaners - vinegar, lemon juice and citrus-based products
- Household cleaners containing bleach or ammonia
- Abrasive scouring pads or steel wool
- High-pressure washing at close range over extended periods
- Allowing liquid spills to sit on an unsealed surface
Sandstone Pavers & Tiles in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
Stone Depot stocks natural sandstone pavers and tiles across three warehouse locations, each holding the current range for in-person viewing, direct collection or delivery across Australia. Free samples are available to order online to see the tone and finish of your chosen natural sandstone tiles in your actual setting.
