Limestone versus Sandstone on a patio

[DarlingCoffee]

Looking for some advice from all wise mumsnetters! We are looking to replace our decking with a patio but can not decide whether to opt for limestone or sandstone? Can anyone offer some advice or their own experience? We have two young children so keen it is non slip, and ideally ages well with little upkeep required to maintain. Thanks in advance!

Bump! Looking to do the same thing.

We have York Stone in two areas and Sandstone in another. The York stone (which I think is a limestone) is greatly superior but more expensive. I have not been entirely happy with the sandstone. It’s definitely more porous and gets black dots on it. I wouldn’t have it again.

Also, if the stone is near trees, it can get a bit green. Keep it clean and they are virtually non slip. We have the sandstone around our pool and it works well for that but the York stone would have done a similar job without the marking! Get York stone!

Thank you Bubbles! I was leaning towards limestone anyway so this has really helped.

I have sandstone currently. I had limestone previously. I would say I prefer sandstone due to the colours you get.

As for the black dots, that lichen and is very easy to deal with, you get a cleaner off of Amazon, just spray it on when wet, and the dots disappear. No biggie.

I've got porcelain- it unstainable and not slippy- I've got the Dover colour and it is beautiful- very Mediterranean and large and contemporary. Our local builders merchant let me take home the large tester slab so i could see it in situ and also wet it and test for slippyness - it is no different to natural stone imo but much more consistent in colour. We were after a light product and the real stone varied hugely across the packs looked at - some were very orange and it was a bit of a risk what we would end up with.

globalstonepaving.co.uk/product/siena/

Hi op I had Indian sandstone laid last year and absolutely love it. It wasn't the cheapest option but it was well worth the extra pennies. I've not noticed it becoming slippy although it can mark quite easily. I usually give the area a scrub with some soapy water and it's fine.

Hello, I am a geologist.
York Stone is a type of sandstone. It’s very robust and resistant to weathering.
Limestone by its natural is soluble in very weak acids, and less robust to weathering. It is also very attractive to miss and lichen (natural limestone landscapes often have SSSI status for this reason). Unless limestone pavers are very heavily engineered and protected/varnished etc, I can’t see them being as hardwearing at York Stone.

I know nowt about gardens though.

Thank you everyone for the input! All this is very useful. It’s been so hard making a decision as the colour seems to be very varied and I’m concerned we may make the wrong choice. All good food for thought! Thank you taking the time to give your advice

I see York Stone is more of a marketing term. I did think it was limestone so
I stand corrected. No, my black spots have not come out with cleaner from Amazon.

The York Stone came direct from a quarry and was varying depths so quite difficult to
lay. It’s a better product though.

“York Stone” is not a marketing term. It’s a fine grained sandstone that comes from a few particular quarries in Yorkshire. It can only be called York Stone if it comes from these quarries, kind of like fizzy white wine can only be called Champagne if it is made from the Champagne region of France.