Indian Sandstone on patio

[KeiraKnightleyActsWithHerTeeth]

We have just had quotes for our garden and weren't too sure which paving to go for. All of the builders and patio specialists seem to think Indian Sandstone was the best but all seemed so wishywashy was to why. Is there a reason behind it?
Any views about it?
TBH I'm at the point with the garden where I'm almost tempted to get them to just above down cheap, grey, concrete slabs and move on from it.
We don't have a lot of money for the project (the whole courtyard area needs levelling off or digging down and out so it will end up expensive)but everyone is really pushing Indian standstone.

Following! We just got told it was because it's as cheap as man made but last longer. No doubt there is a £££ profit margin on it, hope it lasts ok

We were told not to use it because its porous so you get algae on it (I think that was the reason), we got concrete ones from Jewsons, they had different options and we're really pleased with it.

Well I've got limestone and it's a bit of a pain in the arse to be honest. We have dark grey and it looks dirty and lot but you can only use certain things to clean it as anything acidic will stain it (most patio cleaners are acidic). My friend bought yorkstone and the builders who laid it tried to clean the mortar that had splashed when laying it - they must have used a normal cleaner and now it's marked all over. I think sandstone is similar when it comes to acid. Just make sure you do your research on the upkeep. We also have to seal ours every year which is a huge faff.

We got Indian Sandstone and I love it. I just think the sandy colour is beautiful and really brightens up the garden, especially in dreary grey winter!

Thank you for such speedy replies.
I basically just want flat, no fuss, grey slabs that I can occasionally blast with the pressure washers but every person who has come out to quote us has looked at me like I've suggested slicing a cat lengthways and using that instead.
We probably won't be staying here long and plan to either sell or rent the house out so whist it needs doing, we want to spend £2500 max including a small amount of fencing, a new gate, a new door step, slabs, levelling out the garden and fitting.

Huh Indian sandstone is natural stone, and it's much nicer than concrete. You get lots of different colours, have a Google.

The reason they are looking at you weirdly is you wish to put down the old concrete ( council slabs as they are called) and they aren't aesthetically attractive. Natural stone is much more eye catching.

We bought this house with a council slab path and had it ripped up and put a beautiful sandstone one in. No algae on ours. Power washes fine and the colours deepen with the rain, gold, creams and reds mixed up. It's very pretty. And I can assure you so much better than concrete.

I do understand it looks much better however I also currently have quite a dangerous and dirty courtyard that I have 6 children and 2 dogs wading through every day bringing filth into a lovely house and I just want it laid to concrete and looking neat and tidy.

Neither my husband nor I can lay them ourselves so we want to pay someone and they are all heavily pushing Indian Sandstone. I'd heard other people saying it can be a nightmare to keep clean.

I don't want concrete, I want slate tiles but I can't afford those in my wildest dreams.

I 100% don't want it to deepen to browns and golds etc. I'm sure it is very nice but it isn't for me.

It's not any different in the keeping clean scenario, I've had both. But if you want concrete get concrete, I'm sure all of them will do it. Just tell them you want council slabs.

You also get grey sandstone if you want a slate effect. It's your call completely.

Thanks Bluntness. I'm going to ask if they can quote for the "council slabs" too.

I'm sure they will, I've never heard of a builder who wouldn't. They will use the materials of your choice. Just tell them what you want.

They were all SO weird about it, I was quite taken aback.
I think it might be because we have done a nice job on our renovation and they think we are devaluing it.

What about brick. We couldn't afford yorkstone/Indian sandstone. Think it's called block paving...almost half the price.

Kmini
I don't know why I assumed it would be more expensive? Thanks for that'
I wonder what black and grey bricks could look like, hmmmm

Indian stone comes in lots of different colours, go to a couple of builders merchants and have a,look.
As for algae, well all slabs, stone or concrete can get it on them if it's damp. I know I have pressure washed it off both stone slabs at our house and from "imitation" stone slabs and the grey concrete sort at MiL's.
The cleaning products are not worth the money imo. Much better to get a pressure washer and the patio cleaning accessories.

I would not choose foreign-quarried stone on ethical grounds. You can be certain that the Indian quarrymen, women and children don't benefit from the same strict health and safety standards that the concrete pourer in Corby does! And as for the environmental impact.... well!
If you want concrete, then go for it with a clear conscience. European-made brick paving is another possibility. I will be lifting my concrete imitation stone slabs and relaying them after my extension is finished.

We've got Indian sandstone and used a sealant on it. It stops any algae growing and keeps the wet look when it's dry without it getting slippy. Think DH bought the sealant from amazon

my contractor recommended it over the pavers or slabs I had in mind, perhaps because it was on a better price. I like the texture and the colour variation (carefully laid to look random)

My neighbour put down sandstone with images of "fossilised" plants in it, but without enough slope so it has gone grey and dirty. Mine looks cleaner. I was very particular about a good fall away from the house as the previous one suffered ponding.

This is not a picture of mine, but the style of brick edging is the same.

Laid on a deep bed of compacted MoT1

...and a full mortar bed and pointing. Ants dig out sand.

Thank you all so much, you have all been so useful and I am incredibly grateful. I have some more people coming out to quote this week, so I will feel like I know what to say to them.