Indian sandstone is seen on patios and driveways around the world, thanks to its attractive design and durability. The variety of colours available means it can suit a range of properties and landscapes, but the natural textures means that each stone is unique, adding to the desirability of the material. This guide explains how to lay indian sandstone simply and safely.

Step 1

Clean the designated area where you are going to lay the stone. This includes the removal of foliage and debris.

Step 2

Select your type and colour of indian sandstone. Bear in mind that the natural texture of the stone gives each slab a unique look, so don’t be put off if your slabs look different to other ones of the same colour.

Step 3

Make a bed over the area, bound by cement. It should be made with a 10:1 ratio of sand to water, and a tonne of the mixture requires 950kg grit stone, with 100kg of cement and half a kilogram of water. The bed should be 35mm to 50mm thick, with a 35mm bed covering 14 square metres, and a 50mm covering 10 square metres.

Step 4

Lay the stone. If the stones, or flags, are relatively light, you can lay them with your hands. For larger pieces, use specialist tools or seek the assistance of professional surfacing engineers. Ensure the flags are tight to one another.

Step 5

The flags are to be joined using mortar; a process called ‘buttering’.

Step 6

After around four hours, the ‘pointing’ process can begin. This is essentially topping up the mortar between flags using small pointing trowels to fill gaps and trim any excess mortar. Once all gaps are filled, use the edge of the trowel to smooth off the top.

Step 7

Allow the patio to dry – ensure it is not damaged by people stepping on it by marking it off and placing a sign to warn people that it is still drying. Once it is dry, you can decorate it how you wish, with bordering plants or cobble setts.

UK Surfacings are proud to provide expert surfacing solutions for domestic and commercial customers alike. If you would like to know more, please get in touch with us today and we will be more than happy to help you.