When homeowners want to give their outdoors like their patio, driveways, and garden paths a beautiful look with high-end durability, Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone is often one of their priorities. Likewise, UK homeowners also prefer this grey indian sandstone for its distinctive and bluish-grey tones and subtle textures. With this grey natural stone, there is a high chance that you can create a contemporary outdoor look while maintaining the rustic charm that it presents.
This natural stone is well-suited for complementing all outdoor designs, whether traditional or contemporary. You can create a sleek urban look terrace as well as a country-style garden path without compromising on its longevity. Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone, indeed, combines beauty, affordability, and performance, making it a perfect choice for British weather conditions.
Let's discuss how to select, lay, and maintain Kandla Grey Sandstone so that your paving area remains stunning yet strong for decades to come!
Kandla Grey Sandstone Paving
Kandla Grey sandstone is a natural indian stone paving quarried originally from Kandla, Gujarat, India. It is popular for its cool grey colour palette that ranges from light to deep bluish grey. They are the best sandstone for patios and driveways, also safe to walk on due to their excellent slip-resistance and fine-grained texture.
Benefits of Kandla Grey Sandstone
There are numerous reasons why it is popular, mainly in the UK.
- Weather Resistance: It is made of natural stone, thus it is hard-wearing and performs exceptionally well in the UK’s harsh wet and cold weather conditions.
- Slip Resistance: The natural veining and grained texture makes it safe for patios and pathways.
- Aesthetic Versatility: It has the capability to blend well and seamlessly with most garden designs, furniture pieces, walling, and greenery.
- Eco-friendly: It comes from nature, thus it shall return to nature without harming it.
Selecting the Right Kandla Grey Sandstone
When you select Kandla Grey for your outdoor space, the journey doesn't end there. Selecting the right Kandla Grey sandstone for your garden and other outdoor spaces is equally important. You will have to choose between sizes, patterns, finishes, and even shades that perfectly match your aesthetics and home design.
Riven or Sawn Finish
It depends on where you prefer to use it. Riven finishes are non-slip garden paving, mostly ideal for rustic outdoor designs that require traditional and hand-split texture. They are great underfoot due to their slip resistance, especially in wet areas like poolside.
While Kandla Grey honed and sawn finishes, having smooth surfaces and crisp edges, are suited for contemporary settings and low traffic areas, or even outdoor walls.
Size and Pattern
When it comes to sizes and patterns, you can choose from the popular Kandla Grey 600x900mm, Kandla Grey 600x600mm, and mixed patio packs. Large-format Kandla Grey is great for creating seamless and clean outdoor looks.
While talking about laying patterns for sandstone tiles, the most common Indian Sandstone laying pattern includes mixed yet balanced random layouts. However, you can also choose from basketweave, grid, and diagonal patterns for different outdoor perceptions.
Kandla Grey Sandstone Thickness
For outdoors, the standard thickness for paving slabs is 22mm calibrated. This uniformity makes laying much faster and ensures that your patio slabs are laid evenly.
Considering your Outdoor Space
You need to choose the type of Kandla Grey Sandstone based on your outdoor space.
- If you want it for your small patio, use uniform large-format slabs for a spacious illusion.
- For your large gardens, multiple sixes patterns look beautiful and create visual interest.
- For driveways, you need to pick thicker and robust sandstones, ideally of 25mm to 30mm thickness.
Preparation Before Laying Kandla Grey
You need to make certain preparatory steps before laying Kandla Grey in your outdoor space.
Plan the Layout
Take a pen and paper or work with your digital device to sketch your patio or pathway. Make drainage points and edge boundaries. Decide where you would like to start laying. Mostly, you start from the corner closest to your doorway.
Ground Prep
You need to excavate the ground to a depth of 150 to 200mm. Add a sub-base and use 100mm of compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore for ground stability. Create 1mm of slope for a 60mm surface for water drainage.
Tools and Materials
You will need:
- Cement, sharp sand, and water.
- Rubber mallet
- Spirit level
- Jointing compound
- Spacer and trowel
How to Lay Kandla Grey Sandstone Slabs
Here is a step-by-step Kandla Grey sandstone paving installation guide that can also be used as a guide for other indian sandstone paving slabs.
Step 1: Mixing Mortar Bed
The best way to install grey sandstone paving is to choose a strong mortar mix. Use a 5:1 ratio of sand to cement and ensure that the consistency of the mortar mix is thick yet can be worked with.
Note: The thickness of the mortar bed should be around 40mm to 50mm from the ground.
Step 2: Apply Slurry Primer to the back of Slabs
Before playing each slab, coat the back of your slab with a slurry primer. It will not only improve the adhesion of the slab to the mortar but also prevent future delamination and slab movement.
Step 3: Lay Your Paving Slab
While working small,
- Place your slab onto the mortar
- Press it gently using a rubber mallet.
- Maintain a consistent gap between the slabs of 8 to 12mm.
- Check the alignment of the area consistently using a spirit level.
Step 4: Cutting and Adjustment
For tricky edges and intricate patterns, use a wet saw or an angle grinder with a diamond blade. Do not forget to use protective gear while using the instruments.
Step 5: Jointing
Once your mortar is set, which is between 24-48 hours, fill the gaps with jointing compound so that no moisture seeps through and causes damage to your slabs in the long run. Use a brush to work your jointing into the joints evenly.
Caution: While using the jointing compound, make sure it doesn't get onto the slabs, as it can cause permanent stains. If you spill or get some onto the slab, clean it immediately.
Step 6: Cleaning and Sealing Kandla Grey Sandstone
After installation and a wait of 24 hours at least, wash the surface gently and allow it to dry completely. After drying, apply a Kandla Grey sandstone sealer to protect and enhance your sandstone’s colour and prevent algae and staining. Seal your sandstone every 2-3 years to keep it as new for decades to come.
Pave Direct and UK Landscaping
Premium grey sandstone paving supplier in the UK, Pave Direct, which has a trusted name in paving and tiles, provides you with ethically sourced Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone in a wide range of finishes and sizes. We ensure high-quality Kandla Grey sandstone paving with consistent and long-term durability. These are the key factors for achieving a flawless outdoor finish.
By choosing us, you get access to premium sandstone paving along with expert guidance and Kandla Grey sandstone selection and care.
Kandla Grey Sandstone Maintenance Tips
One of the most asked questions after sandstone installation is: how to maintain grey sandstone paving in the UK climate. You do not forget about your sandstone paving after you install it. You need to take certain precautionary steps to keep it anew.
Regular Cleaning
- Sweep regularly in order to prevent your paving from dirt and moss buildup.
- For deep cleaning, use neutral pH stone cleaner or diluted washing-up liquid.
- Avoid acidic or bleach-based cleaners as they can damage the surface permanently.
Sealing
Apply a high-quality breathable sandstone sealer every 2-3 years. This protects your stone paving from stains, frost damage, and discoloration.
Dealing with Algae and Stains
If you have algae on your outdoor paving, use a biodegradable patio cleaner.
For oil stains, apply a poultice paste or a degreasing agent.
Before using any formula on your paving, always do a test patch on an area that is concealed.
Repointing and Repair
Over time, you may see that your joints are cracked due to traffic or weather movement. Take a rake out loose mortar and refill your joints with jointing compound to maintain a clean and stable surface.
Enhancing Outdoor Spaces With Kandla Grey Sandstone
Here are some Kandla Grey sandstone design ideas you can apply to your outdoor space.
Design Ideas
- For modern patio ideas, combine Kandla grey with black granite borders for contrast.
- For traditional gardens, pair it with natural stone planters or rustic seating areas.
- If you have an outdoor dining area, complement your grey sandstone paving with rattan furniture and warm lighting.
Mix and Match with Other Materials
Kandla Grey Sandstone slabs look stunningly elegant if you combine them with other durable garden paving materials, like:
- Porcelain Edge Tiles
- Gravel or Resin Borders
- Wood Decking Elements.
Here is a detailed version of choosing the best outdoor flooring tiles for your outdoor space: Choosing the Best Outdoor Floor Tiles for Home Exterior
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Laying Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone
Here are some mistakes that, if you don't avoid them, might cost you a lot of money and time.
- Skipping Slurry Primer: It can cause your slabs to come off and delaminate.
- Uneven Mortar Bed: It leads to rocking slabs and water pooling, resulting in deteriorated outdoor slabs.
- Poor Draining: Not planning drainage properly can cause water pooling.
- Using Acid Cleaners: It will damage your sandstone surface permanently.
- No Sealing: It increases moss growth and staining risk in the future.
Conclusion
Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone effortlessly stands out as one of the most elegant and timeless paving materials available in the UK. Its neutral colour palette, low maintenance needs, and long-lasting strength make it ideal for patios, driveways, and garden paths.
Pave Direct is your reputable Indian Sandstone supplier for affordable Indian sandstone patio kits. You can trust us whether you are refreshing your old patio or designing a whole new landscaping project. We give you a benchmark of style, quality, and practicality for your British home!
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should a mortar bed be for Indian sandstone?
A 40mm-50mm mortar bed is a set standard. For uneven grounds, slightly increase the depth to achieve a uniform stability.
What is the best cleaner for Kandla Grey Sandstone?
Use a pH-neutral cleaner or mild detergent solution. Avoid acids or vinegar-based products, as they can etch your stone permanently.
How should sandstone slabs be laid?
Lay them on a full bed, mortar mix with a slurry primer applied on the back of each slab. Avoid spot bedding as it can cause cracks and slab movement.
How to clean Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone?
Sweep regularly, wash your slabs with mild detergent, rinse with clean water. For stains, use a professional patio cleaner designed for natural sandstones.
