What type of stone for my new patio?

[jjanice842]

Getting my garden landscaped and a new patio laid soon. I’m dithering on what slabs to choose. Limestone, porcelain, Indian sandstone all seem to be popular. I don’t want cheap slabs but equally can’t spend a fortune either. Area is approx 18m2. I love the look of the black / anthracite colours but practical is probably better than aesthetics! Any recommendations?

Good question OP, following with interest!

I'm thinking of having these from Topps, I saw them in store and they were fab, look just like sandstone but non porous:

www.toppstiles.co.uk/floor-tiles/outdoor

I've had Indian sandstone before and it looks beautiful when clean but very quickly discolours,esp if not on a sunny spot.

Following to. Want mine done in the next year but want what ever type of flags are gonna stay looking clean and new for longest. Dont wanna pick the wrong one as its such an expensive job so its gotta last us years.

If I were doing my own patio I would be having porcelain. I work in the construction industry so hear about all sorts of products and porcelain ticks the most boxes. Make sure you shop around. Evidently, porcelain slabs are used a lot in many countries around swimming pools due to their non slip nature. They look amazing and pp is correct that you don’t have the algae problem. They are a nightmare to lay though so you’ll want someone who knows what they’re doing.

We had ours replaced last year with light colour porcelain tiles. I wouldn’t recommend they are high maintenance and when it rains they are filthy. We were laid to believe the person who laid them had an excellent reputation but he turned out to be a cowboy and we didn’t have a leg to stand on. They haven’t been laid correctly and I would say they will be lucky if they last two years maximum.

We have Indian sandstone. DH isn't a professional but he laid them himself. They haven't moved and still look good twenty years later, we just have to spray the weeds that grow inbetween them once a year. They are low maintenance and I'd recommend. They probably have changed colour over the years but I don't mind the weathered look.

A neighbour has shiny porcelain ones, which look slippery though I don't think they are, and because they are very pale coloured they show the dirt.

We have porcelain in a slate-like colour (same colour as inside). The buder laid the first patio and then in lock down we laid the second - it's not rocket science if you don't rush it.

I second don’t get porcelain, it shows every mark , never clean . It dose get algae and we were told nothing would stain it … it will ! We’re moving and this would be a very big no in a new property. Our garden guys are fab and perfectionists , they said never again !

Red brick. Not modern, but classic, and doesn’t show dirt or stain.

We had dark grey aged sandstone laid last year. Really happy with it. It was laid in April and still looked great at the beginning of Autumn. Has taken on a greenish tinge over winter but a blast with the jet wash should see it right again.

www.digbystone.com/browse-by-colour/dark-greys/premium-twilight/

we have york stone slabs for our patio not slippery and a quick hose gets any muck off them

Dark coloured porcelain will get very hot in the summer, so be aware if you have pets. They shouldn't get algae but they do get grubby quickly. They do look ultra modern if that's your taste.
Indian sandstone are porous so they can green with algae over the winter but patio magic or wet and forget twice a year and sweeping off leaves will keep it looking new. They are more traditional and will show different coloured hues when wet, which is nice and a reason not to seal them either

I have Indian stone. They didn’t need much maintenance for many years but these days I need to wet wash them once a year and probably treat them for black spot every three years.

They look brand new afterwards though.

Yes the light porcelain really needs hosed down every day and still doesn’t look brilliant!!!

We were going for light originally but changed our mind and wanted slate/black colour but then changed it back again as we have a dog. Unless you have a show home, no pets, fake grass, only go outside in your slippers, no birds, don’t have any trees in neighbouring properties please avoid.

We’ve got similar to the Digby link above, maybe slightly paler colour,.

Whatever you get, make sure that you see what it looks like soaking wet and that you still like it, as this will be your view for much of the year!

Kota Blue Limestone. I believe it is more slip resistant when wet and less prone to algae than Indian Sandstone. It’s also a fairly consistent colour.

Whatever you choose, check it works with the colour of your house. It’s a significant investment.