Smooth Sandstone Paving

What Is Smooth Sandstone

Smooth sandstone, also known as sawn or polished sandstone, is cut directly from the quarry block using precision machinery rather than being split along natural layers.

How It Is Cut and Finished

The stone is sawn into slabs and the top surface is honed to create a smooth finish with a slight sheen. Smooth sandstone slabs are sawn on all six sides, meaning the four edges are also straight and machine-cut. This precision manufacturing creates a refined appearance suited to contemporary outdoor spaces.

Difference from Riven Sandstone

Riven sandstone is split along its natural layers, producing a textured, uneven surface with hand-dressed edges. Polished Indian sandstone, by contrast, has flat surfaces and straight edges. The sawn finish shows the stone's colour patterns more clearly, making natural veining and tonal variation more visible.

Clean Edges and Flat Surface

The machine-cut edges of polished Indian stone create consistent joint widths and clean lines across the paved area. The flat surface provides a stable base for outdoor furniture and creates the ordered appearance associated with modern patio design.

Smooth vs Riven Sandstone

Understanding the difference between smooth and riven finishes helps you choose the right style for your project.

Smooth Sandstone: Modern and Precise

Polished sandstone delivers clean lines, flat surfaces, and consistent edges. The smooth finish complements contemporary architecture, rendered walls, and minimalist garden layouts. Colours and patterns within the stone are more pronounced on the honed surface. This finish suits those who prefer order and refinement in their outdoor space.

Riven Sandstone: Rustic and Textured

Riven sandstone has a naturally textured surface with undulations and hand-dressed edges. This finish suits traditional gardens, period properties, and cottage-style designs. The texture provides natural grip but creates a less even surface for furniture. Riven stone is chosen for its authentic, established appearance.

Choosing Between Them

The choice depends on your property style and design preferences. Modern homes and contemporary gardens typically suit smooth sandstone. Traditional properties and rustic gardens often work better with riven finishes. Both options are available across our colour range.

Colours and Styles Available

Our smooth sandstone range includes multiple colour options to suit different design requirements and personal preferences.

Neutral Tones

Sawn Mint Sandstone features warm beige and cream tones with subtle mint undertones. Kandla Grey offers cooler silver-grey tones. Ivory Sandstone provides light cream colouring. These neutral options suit minimalist designs and allow other garden features to take centre stage.

Warm Earth Tones

Raj Green Sandstone blends greens, browns, and greys for a warm, natural palette. Autumn Brown features rich brown, buff, and orange tones. These warmer colours suit gardens where the paving should complement rather than contrast with surrounding planting.

Multi-Tonal Options

Rippon Buff features buff tones with cream, pink, and grey variation. Rainbow Sandstone offers bold orange, purple, and buff colouring. These multi-tonal options suit those who want visual interest and natural drama in their paved areas.

A Range, Not a Single Product

Smooth sandstone is available across our Indian sandstone colour range. Each colour option delivers the same flat surface and clean edges while offering different tonal palettes. This allows you to match the paving to your property and garden style.

Where It Works Best

Smooth sandstone suits outdoor applications where a clean, contemporary finish is desired.

Modern Patios

The flat surface and clean lines of polished sandstone slabs complement modern patio designs. Single-size slabs laid in grid patterns work particularly well. The consistent edges create even joints that reinforce the contemporary aesthetic.

Outdoor Seating Areas

The even surface provides a stable base for outdoor furniture. Tables and chairs sit level without wobbling. The smooth finish is comfortable underfoot for barefoot use during warmer months.

Contemporary Garden Layouts

Smooth sandstone pairs well with contemporary landscaping elements including rendered walls, composite decking, architectural planting, and modern water features. The refined finish complements rather than competes with other design elements.

Pathways

Garden pathways benefit from the consistent surface and easy walking experience. The uniform sizing simplifies installation, and the clean appearance provides definition through planting and lawn areas.

Finish and Practical Benefits

The sawn finish offers several practical advantages alongside its aesthetic appeal.

Smooth Surface with Grip

While the surface is smooth, polished Indian sandstone retains a level of natural slip resistance. The honed finish provides grip underfoot when the stone is properly maintained. The stone is designed for outdoor use and suited to UK weather conditions.

Consistent Thickness

Smooth sandstone slabs are calibrated to a consistent thickness, eliminating the significant variations found in uncalibrated natural stone. This consistency simplifies installation as the mortar bed depth remains uniform across the paved area.

Easier Installation

The combination of calibrated thickness and straight, machine-cut edges makes smooth sandstone easier to lay than irregular natural stone. Joint widths remain consistent, and less adjustment is needed during the laying process.

Low Maintenance

The smooth surface is easier to clean than heavily textured riven stone. Debris sweeps away readily, and the even surface allows for straightforward washing. No painting, staining, or regular treatment is required to maintain the appearance.

Is Smooth Sandstone Slippery

Safety is a common concern when considering smooth finishes for outdoor use.

Safe for Outdoor Use

All of our smooth sandstone is designed specifically for outdoor use and suited to the British climate. The stone is not inherently slippery and provides a safe surface for patios, pathways, and other outdoor applications.

Natural Grip Remains

Polished sandstone retains a level of natural slip resistance even with its smooth finish. The honed surface provides grip underfoot. While the surface is smoother than textured riven stone, it is not slippery when properly maintained.

Maintenance Matters

Moss and algae growth can reduce grip on any outdoor surface. Regular cleaning prevents buildup and maintains the natural slip resistance of the stone. As with any outdoor paving, care should be taken in wet conditions.

Sealing and Maintenance

Smooth sandstone requires minimal ongoing maintenance, though sealing offers additional benefits.

Optional but Recommended

Sealing smooth sandstone is optional. The stone will perform well without it. However, sealing is recommended for lighter-coloured options where stains would be more visible. It provides practical protection for patios used for dining and entertaining.

Helps Prevent Staining

Sealing creates a protective barrier against staining from food, drinks, and organic matter. It also inhibits moss and algae growth, reducing cleaning frequency. Some sealers enhance the stone's natural colour, while others simply protect without changing the appearance.

Enhances Durability

Sealing helps protect against general weathering and can prevent fading over extended periods. Sealed surfaces typically maintain their appearance with less effort over time. The stone will last for decades with basic care regardless of sealing.

Natural Variation

Despite the precision finish, smooth sandstone remains a natural product with inherent variation.

Still Natural Stone

Smooth sandstone is natural Indian sandstone with a sawn finish, not a manufactured product. The stone formed over thousands of years and retains the authentic character of natural stone. The finish is refined, but the material remains genuine sandstone.

Variation Expected

Colour, tone, and veining patterns vary from slab to slab within each colour option. This variation is a natural characteristic of the stone and distinguishes it from uniform manufactured alternatives. Product images show representative examples, but exact slabs will differ.

Each Slab Unique

No two slabs are identical. The specific colour balance and veining patterns cannot be predetermined. This uniqueness adds authentic character to the finished patio. Colours appear more vibrant when wet.

Choosing Smooth Sandstone

Consider these factors when deciding whether smooth sandstone is right for your project.

Ideal for Modern Designs

The flat surface, straight edges, and refined finish make smooth sandstone well suited to contemporary gardens and modern homes. It complements clean architectural lines and minimalist outdoor spaces.

Better Than Riven If Clean Look Needed

If you prefer order and uniformity over rustic texture, smooth sandstone is the better choice. The precise edges and flat surfaces create a controlled appearance. You get the natural character of Indian sandstone without the rugged surface of riven stone.

Wide Range of Colour Choices

Smooth sandstone is available in multiple colours from neutral creams and greys to warmer earth tones and multi-tonal blends. This range allows you to find a colour that suits your property, matches existing features, or creates the atmosphere you want in your outdoor space.

Why Choose Smooth Sandstone from Nustone

Our smooth sandstone range is sourced from established quarries and selected for consistent quality across all colour options.

✓ Multiple colour options from neutral to multi-tonal

✓ Smooth sawn surface with machine-cut edges

✓ Calibrated thickness for easier installation

✓ Sourced from established Indian quarries

✓ Free sample service to assess colours and finish

✓ UK-wide delivery with free delivery on qualifying orders