Sandstone or porcelain

[Teresa1]

Any advice regarding choice of slabs.  Huge progress has been made digging out my garden.  Drainage priority this time.  Need to get it right this time.  Any thoughts please. 

[Teresa1]

[ToughButterCup]

Describe the research you have done for yourself .... please

[Teresa1]

We have had porcelain.  You can see slab on wall.  They do easily crack.  Everyone says they are slippery but we did not find this.  Don’t like ridges in sandstone.  There are pictures of my garden on previous post.  Major drainage problems.

[JamesP]

Your previous post. 

 

[FarmerN]

We like our Sandstone paving ,Indian Sandstone from Westminster Stone, it looks great, a bit bumpy or rustic looking, which is the look we want.

It’s only 12 months old. Just starting to go green and will obviously need a good clean as spring approaches. Didn’t seal it, maybe sealing would have stopped it going green.

[Gone West]

At our last house we had Indian sandstone which had a honed finish, so was smooth. It wasn't sealed and we found it was affected badly by salt, so if used on a path don't put salt on to get rid of frost.

[DownSouth]

We had textured/rough sandstone in our previous house, found difficult to pressure wash as it flaked under pressure and had to reseal it afterwards to stop moss. Thinking of using castacrete textured concrete this time, although landscaping feels a long long way off! And it still should be sealed so not sure whether it’ll be less maintenance. 

[Bramco]

We have gray porcelain - the same inside and out.  Builder said it would be too slippy but it's a matt finish which is working out OK. SWMBO complains about it wearing out her socks indoors.  Easy to pressure wash and keep clean. The only green algae (and it's a v small patch) is on the grouting, so it shows that the porcelain is doing a great job.

 

Having said that, we were very anti anything textured, so porcelain was really the only choice. Also, we'd had natural stone in a rental property and it was a nightmare to keep clean. 

Edited February 6 by Bramco

[JamesP]

We have Keswick Outdoor Porcelain 900x600x20mm from Mandarin Stone.

Surprisingly keeps clean and non slippy.

[Teresa1]

Considering this.  Porcelain again.  They are expensive but what we like.  Thank you for all replies. 

[Teresa1]

Oh.  Now having brick issues for walls.  Cannot get ours.  The closest have black marking on half of the pack of bricks.  Builder going to Bristol to look tomorrow.  Any tips would be helpful.  

[Nickfromwales]

  On 12/02/2025 at 19:26, Teresa1 said:

Any tips would be helpful

Expand  

There are companies out there who can cosmetically alter the bricks to match existing. Often used on extension or alterations such as these  

[Teresa1]

Thank you.  We are in Wales.  We have gone with the bricks from a local firm.  They actually look quite good.  The brick layer is doing a fabulous job.  They work so hard.  Wish I had picked this Company in the beginning.  They involve us at every stage.  The garden is starting to take shape now.  

[alex6321]

Porcelain is low maintenance, good anti-slip rating, glazing keep colours forever. 

 

Natural stone usually recommending by builders because the like to work with sandstone is much easier (don't need expensive tools, no need levelling system).

[Mr Punter]

Hi @Teresa1 could you post pictures of the finished project when it is completed?

[Teresa1]

Hi, will do.  Just sorting a Balaustrade.  Think going for metal this time.  Want a gate at top of steps as my neice has a baby who won’t be long before walking.

 

Teresa