July 2017 - Regatta Universal Exports

Care & Maintenance of Pavers

Pavers are an important component of exterior designing and architecture. A paver is generally a tile, paving stone, flagstone or concrete bricks used for outdoor flooring. Out of all the materials used for paving, natural stone pavers are the most popular ones, both for landscaping and exterior designing. Sandstone, limestone, and slate are common paving stones and India is a major producer of all almost all types of paving stones. To get high-quality natural stone pavers in different shades, finishes, designs, and sizes, you can contact any of the reputed paving stone manufacturer and exporter from India.

How to take care of paving stones placed in your garden?

Paving stones are beautiful and at the same time, they are known for their strength and durability. Stones that are widely used for paving include sandstone, limestone, slate, and granite. As per their appearance and unique qualities, each stone is used to decorate different areas, such as pool surrounds, walkways, patios, backyards, facades, sidewalks, and entertainment zones. Proper care of natural paving stones is required to keep them intact and preserve its looks. Weathering and aging are normal phenomena associated with natural stones, but with periodic maintenance, these processes can be delayed to some extent.

To achieve all these, all you need is to follow a few simple tips that are discussed below:

Wiping off dirt and debris from the Surface of Paving Stones: This should be done just after a storm or downpour. Leaves, dust, and other unwanted materials should be immediately removed after such instances.
Spraying Water on Pavers: This way one can remove loosely scattered dirt from the surface. This makes the pavers look clean and immaculate.
Using a Pressure Washer: A pressure washer is recommended, where water spraying method is not successful for dirt or moss removal.
Stain Removal: A water-based solution of detergent is required to serve the purpose. Scrub the stains with this solution and elbow grease, if required. This method works for most of the stains. However, for strong stains, special cleaning solutions are also available in the market.
Inspecting Chips and Cracks: At least once in a year, pavers should be examined for any crack or chip. Most dealers offer a lifelong warranty, thus allowing you to get the paver replaced for free.
Examining the Sand Filler: Set between the pavers, the sand filler is necessary to keep the pavers at their place. This usually gets eroded over time and makes the pavers to lose their grip. In such conditions, the sand filler should be added up to the level of the paver.

By taking such easy steps, you can ensure the longevity of your natural stone pavers as well as keep them shine like a new. Regatta Universal Exports is a certified paving stone supplier and exporter from India.

Common Natural Stone Myths

Natural Stones are one of the most popular materials for interior and exterior designing all over the world. Be it granite, marble, sandstone, slate, quartzite or limestone, every natural stone is unique in itself with respect to design patterns and beautiful shades that they exhibit. The exclusivity of natural stones lies in the fact that no two of stone pieces belonging to the same category or variety can be same, even if they both have been extracted from the same quarry and cut from the same block.

India is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of nearly every type of natural stone that is used in the construction sector. Natural stones manufacturer and exporters from India supply a range of high-quality natural stone products in the local as well as international market. Indian natural stone industry has now become a well-organized sector and with the growing market competition, a number of globally renowned Indian natural stone exporters have become very professional in terms of product quality, safe transportation, and timely delivery.

It is not just because of the attractive look of natural stone, but wonderful properties that they bear make them a preferred choice among homeowners, architects and interior/exterior designers. However, due to lack of proper knowledge and regardless of its extreme popularity, there still exist several myths associated with natural stones extracted from quarries. Read further to know about such misbeliefs and why they actually make no sense:

Natural Stones Gets Easily Stained:

Staining is a common problem among various homeowners having natural stone installations at their property. A wrong belief among them is that stuff like cosmetics, coffee, red wine, and other acidic food items can stain countertops in a way that make the stone surface irreparable. Though staining might occur on any stone surface, especially the light shaded ones, it is treatable in most of the cases. All you need to know is the origin of the stain and appropriate way to remove it.
It is recommended to be very thoughtful while choosing a stone for a specific space within the home. For example, a white marble should be installed in the master bathroom, while dark shaded granite is considered apt for children’s bathrooms.

Natural Stones are Pricey:

Though they are usually found to be used in plush projects, they are still within the reach of commoners. They can be effectively used in construction /renovation projects with high, moderate or even low budget. Basically, the cost of natural stone depends on its demand and availability at a particular. Sometimes, natural stones are found to be cheaper than artificial materials or of the same price as that of the latter. The design patterns (streaks, waves, patches, and swirls on the surface of the stone) as well shades also play an important role in deciding the price of the natural stone.

Natural Stones are Soft and Require High Maintenance:

Not all stones are delicate and require excessive maintenance. However, stones like limestone and marble are more prone to scratches and etching due to their soft nature; but these can be avoided by taking several preventive steps.

In kitchens with stone countertops, a cutting board is a must, while chopping or cutting, especially when dealing with acidic foods like lemons and tomatoes. It is recommended to make use of trivets and coasters for keeping hot pots and pans or glassware on a stone surface. Removing spills immediately without allowing them to stay on the surface for long is always a good practice. Hard cleaning solutions as well as mops and clothes with metal bristles and rough fiber, respectively should be avoided. Mild cleansing agents, mops with very soft bristles and soft cotton clothes are advised for stone cleaning.

Natural Stones become Unfashionable After a While:

Usually, at one point of time, some shades and finishes of natural stone become less popular, while a few other shades become more popular. However, if we broadly consider natural stones, they are simply ageless and ever stylish. A stone always brings a unique yet dramatic charm to the space of its installation that actually appears to be very natural and genuine. Natural stones are known to be used as a prominent construction and architectural material for ages. Every stone changes its color and texture with the natural process of weathering over time and a few variants become even more beautiful with aging; which is completely not the case with other manmade materials.

With the above discussion, we can deduce that natural stones are a great architectural material that has been used for centuries. Whether it is about aesthetic value addition with respect to their enticing shades and patterns or functionality in terms of their endurance, strength, maintenance, and resistance to various elements, natural stones are always a winner. A little care and periodic maintenance are all that is required (just like other materials) to preserve the looks of natural stones and to make them last for a lifetime.

Natural Stone Pathways: From Choosing to Setting

Natural stone pavers for pathways are a unique yet smart way to link your home with its surroundings. Whether in the form of zigzag pavements or stepping stones in the garden, or a straight walkway leading to the front door of your house from the main entrance, natural stone pavers are a great value addition to your property.

Pathways are usually created with flagstones – a common term for any type of natural stone that can be broken down into irregular, square or circular pieces; depending on the requirement. pathways, paving stone or flagstone can be made out of limestone, sandstone or quartzite. Its size may vary from 1-2 feet and the height is generally kept 3/4th of an inch to 3 inches. As per the choice of the natural stone and finish, flagstones can be obtained in different color combinations, shades, and textures.

An Array of Shapes and Colors to Choose From

Every natural stone occurs in multiple shades and design patterns. Further, these stones can be given any desired shape as per the need of the project. Limestone is generally grayish in appearance but also exists in many other shades like blue, brown, green, yellow and pink. Similarly, popular colors of sandstone are brown, black, red, gold, green, red and pink. Quartzite also occurs in several eye-pleasing shades like golden, black, green, silver, red and yellow. It also contains some tiny particles that have a tendency to sparkle; thus impart a unique look to the quartzite or other natural stone pavers.

The climate of your area is an important factor that should be considered while choosing a stone for pathways. In case you are residing in an area, where the winter temperature generally reaches to the freezing point, it is suggested to go for a dense stone like quartzite as it has the ability to withstand extreme cold. On the other hand, limestone and sandstone are highly porous (except a few variants) and easily absorb moisture. This makes them susceptible to get cracked upon freezing; hence not suitable for cold regions.

There are numerous ways to install natural stone in the outdoors. It could either used to fashion a pathway leading to your front door or as a decorative article like fountains in the front yard or garden. A stone also looks great when bordered around a planting bed. Natural stone pavers can be laid to form either a straight or S-shaped pathway. To make it more appealing, one can narrow or widen the path lengthwise at specific distances to create a zigzag pattern. If you want to play creative, you can come up with designs of your own, such as starburst or nautilus shape flagstone surrounding a circular stone.
A 30 to 36 inch-wide pathway is considered ideal for a single person to walk, whereas a pathway with a width of nearly 48 inches is suitable for two persons to walk comfortably side by side.

Laying the Flagstones

After the selection of stone and design, the next step is to develop the bed for the stone. Initially, a four to six-inch deep ditch should be dug using a shovel or sod cutter. If the design is somewhat complex, it is suggested to define the path using stakes and then filling in the boundary upside down using spray paint.

In the freshly dug bed, lay a base of crushed rock containing stone dust. Experts suggest that the base should be kept in a way so that it gives a generous amount of powder to compact and make the stone to stick well at their place. The bed should be filled up to 2 inches, so that the flagstone of varying heights could be lowered and raised accordingly to make the top surface flat and uniform. Thereafter, the base is packed downwards or made wet so that it gets compact.

Setting the Flagstones

After laying the bed, it is time to select the stone with the desired color and finish. The selected stone is then set in the bed by adjusting each of them to create an even and flat surface. For high-traffic areas like the pathway leading to the home, it is recommended to use a level gauge. The space between the stones should be kept ½ inch to 4 inches depending on the effect you want to create. A few people can also be found using a diamond blade skill saw to cut the stone and pack them tightly together without leaving any gap.

You can also use commercially available polymeric sand to fill in the gaps between stones to bind the base material. As a precautionary measure, you can also use aluminum or plastic paver restraint, known as paver edging, to keep the stone at its place.

Once the flagstones are set, the newly developed pathway can last a lifetime. To ensure this, all you need is to clean and maintain it at regular intervals. A good looking pathway not just adds value to the property, but also proves to be a great investment in the long run.

An Ultimate Guide to Quartzite

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock and formed from pure quartz sandstone through heating and pressure. Pure quartzite stone occurs in grey to white tones, but due to varying amounts of iron oxides (Fe₂O₃), it is also found in different shades of pink and red. Apart from Fe₂O₃, other mineral impurities can impart other colors to quartzite, such as green, blue, orange and yellow.

Despite being extensively used in the construction sector, quartzite is one such stone for which, a lot of confusions and misconceptions exists. According to a few, it etches, but for others, it does not. Likewise, some consider it as a hybrid of marble and granite, while others simply label it as marble (due to its similarities with marble in terms of looks). However, the fact is that it has very distinct properties that are different from both marble and granite and this help to get it distinguished from marble and granite.

India has sizeable reserves of quartzite stone in various states with Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh being the ones from where commercially extractable quartzite stone products are quarried and supplied domestically as well internationally. A well-known quartzite manufacturer and exporter from India can be contacted for buying quartzite products and getting it exported to the country of your choice.

Properties of Quartzite

Hardness: Quartzite is pretty hard and the concept of “soft quartzite” is a complete myth. Nothing like soft quartzite exists and in case you find somewhere any stone being labeled as “soft quartzite,” it is likely to be just a marble.
Acid Resistance: Acidic fluid-like lemon juice and vinegar cannot cause etching in quartzite. So, if you find any stone getting etched with the label of quartzite, just consider that the stone has been wrongly labeled. It could be either simple marble or dolomitic marble as these stones look like quartzite, but get easily etched from acidic kitchen fluids.
Porosity: Quartzite has a varying level of porosity with a few varieties being less porous, while some being relatively more porous. Like other porous stones, periodic sealing is recommended for quartzite variants with high porosity.

Confirming the authenticity of Quartzite

Mislabeling is a common phenomenon with quartzite in almost every corner of the world; hence ensuring its originality is very important. Thanks to the extremely simple Glass Test that can easily identify a true quartzite and can be performed by even the most inexperienced person.

The procedure of Glass Test:

Take a glass tile
Select a rough or pointed edge of stone that has to be checked
Place the glass tile on a table
Hardly press the pointed edge of the stone against the surface of the glass tile and try to draw a straight line.
Now check for the appearance of any scratch of the glass surface
Identify whether there is actually a scratch on the glass surface or just a removable mark created by the powdered stone
In case the stone has multiple shades, try performing the test on different areas of the glass surface

What to Conclude from the Results:

Real quartzite can easily scratch the glass and the sound of grinding can be easily heard. Thus, a prominent scratch on the glass tile confirms the genuineness of the quartzite.
A non-quartzite material will either bring an inconspicuous scratch or no scratch on the glass tile. A mislabeled stone tends to be slippery on the glass surface and when rubbed against a glass tile, would just leave a powdery trail without producing any grinding sound.

Other Quartzite Authenticity Tests:

Knife Blade Test: A knife blade is required for this test. Try scratching the stone surface with the pointed and sharp knife blade. If it is a real quartzite, it would get scratched very lightly or there would be no scratch. On the contrary, marble or dolomitic marble are easily scratched by the knife blade.
Etching Test: Spread some vinegar or lime juice on the stone slab that needs to be checked. Let it be there untouched for the next 15 minutes or so, and then wipe off the spill completely with a cloth. Now, observe the wiped off area. An etched area would either appear lighter or darker or relatively dull in comparison to the rest of the stone surface.

Things that are not True Parameters of the Genuineness of Quartzite:

Factors like the place of origin, name labeling and price can never guarantee you the originality of the quartzite. In other words, these are not the parameters that can distinguish quartzite from a non-quartzite stone or other material.

How to Distinguish Quartzite from Granite:

Granite is completely a different category of stone with its own unique set of properties and looks. Granite is basically an igneous rock with a granular texture. Granite has prominent streaks in dark shades, whereas quartzite has either no dark hues or areas with indistinct flowing patterns of various colors.

Though geologically quartzite and granite are entirely different rocks, they still share almost similar properties. They both can’t be etched by acidic fluids and are harder than glass. Sometimes, you may find granite being wrongly labeled as quartzite, but that is not a major thing to worry about as both granite and quartzite perform equally well as countertop slabs – the most common application of both the stones.

Now when you can easily differentiate between quartzite and other similar looking stones, it is a good idea to further learn about proper care, cleaning, and maintenance of your stone. For this, you can go through several tutorials and DIY articles on the internet (usually shared by industry experts) or may contact your stone dealer, fabricator or installer. Proper maintenance will not just help you to avoid stone-damaging mistakes, but also maintain its shine and ensure the longevity of your stone products.

Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials

Countertops are actually the center of all sorts of kitchen activities. From being the base for chopping, cutting and kneading to bearing weights of kitchen appliances and utensils, a countertop is the most functional spot in the kitchen. Major factors that decide the selection of material for stone kitchen countertops are – functionality of the material (properties), aesthetic value addition (looks of the material) and requirement (place of installation).

Kitchen countertop material options for buyers

Since a countertop is the backbone of a kitchen and occupies a sizeable space in the kitchen, it shouldn’t be just aesthetically appealing, but very strong, durable and resistant to scratches and stains.

A number of materials are popular across the globe for creating countertops that are either natural or man-made. All these materials are very functional and at the same time, add a unique touch to the space of their installation. A few of these materials are discussed below:

Stainless Steel: This is very strong and durable and can be a wonderful addition to your kitchen. However, during its installation, one should make sure that it should desirably match with the interiors of the kitchen. Despite its high strength, it has several demerits, such as costly installation and the unpleasant sound that might occur when stuff comes in contact with it within the kitchen.

Solid Surface: This is apparently a recent addition to the kitchen’s interior design and mostly preferred by those, who want to make their kitchen unsophisticated by looks. The base materials of solid surface are polyester or acrylic and it can be used in different ways to beautify the kitchen. However, it terms of functionality, it has a few limitations like susceptibility to damage from heat and cuts.

Laminate Countertops: As per the choice, it can be used to bring either modern or classical charm to the kitchen. Laminate countertops are very affordable and easy to maintain and so are very popular. However, it has some limitations, such as getting burn marks from hot utensils, easily stained and scratches from stuff with sharp edges that might discourage a few from considering this material for countertops.

Mable: This is a natural material and admired globally for its exclusive shades and veining patterns. Though it is very strong and durable, it is still prone to staining and hence, required to be sealed periodically. The probability of getting discolored is also high in marble and therefore, marble countertops need regular maintenance that can bring some extra cost to you.

Granite: Undoubtedly, granite is the most preferred material for making countertops all over the world. Granite countertops are very durable and strong and exist in more than 100 different natural design patterns (streaks, swirls, patches, and waves) and shades. Moreover, it doesn’t get damaged when comes in contact with hot pans and utensils. With proper sealing, it further becomes non-porous and resistant to scratches and stains.

Indian granite and marble are extremely admired and in great demand all over the world. To get high-quality granite or marble products, especially kitchen countertops, you can contact any of the leading granite/marble manufacturers and exporters from India that has a proven track record of delivering quality products on time.

The above-discussed materials are broadly regarded as the best ones for countertops. To choose from the afore-discussed materials, you should consider your requirements in terms of value addition and functionality.

Boosting the Value of Your Home with Natural Stones

Whether it is about complete renovation or a small home improvement work, the purpose is always dual – enhance the look of the property and uplift the value of the same. Though a number of artificial and low-cost materials are out there in the market, the way natural stones transform the look of your house is simply unmatchable. natural stone is strong, long-lasting and is resistant to extreme weather conditions and temperatures. In addition to these amazing features, they are naturally beautiful and occur in a variety of shades and designs in the forms of streaks, waves, patches, and swirls.

India is a world leader in manufacturing and export of almost all types of high-quality natural stone products including marble, granite, sandstone, limestone, and slate. In case you need any of these stones at competitive prices, you can contact a leading manufacturer and exporter of natural stones from India that has an excellent track record of delivering quality stone products in various countries on time.

Using Natural Stones in the Exteriors

Broad Stone Walkways leading to the Entrance: Slightly broad walkways in varying designs and colors can make the front of the house look more elegant.
Limestone Installations: Though limestone is pretty expensive when compared to other materials, the value it adds to the exteriors can’t be compensated by other stuff. Limestone pavers can be used for an array of applications, such as walkways, pathways, steps, patio flooring, crown moldings, and windowsills.
Stone Pavers in Backyard Patio: Natural stones like sandstone are very durable, slip resistance and can withstand rough weather conditions. With all such properties and in naturally mesmerizing shades, natural stones are certainly the best material to be laid in the backyard.
A Short Stone Wall: For projects with budget constraint, building a short stone wall around both the sides of the backside patio is a good idea. This creates a wonderful space with a relaxing and welcoming ambiance and transforms the look of the backyard in an exclusive way.

Using Natural Stones in the Interiors:

During home renovation, spaces that capture your attention the most are kitchens and bathrooms and these are the areas, where maximum changes occur in terms of addition or replacement. Experts say that choosing the right material (natural stone) for home improvement not just alter the looks of your interiors but can significantly increase the value of your property.

Expand Your Budget A Little for Better Returns: Cost is a major factor, which discourages most buyers to go for natural stones. These buyers eventually end up using just ceramic tiles for kitchen or bathroom. However, if we consider the exact area that needs improvement in square foot, the difference in the cost of using natural stones instead of ceramic tiles would be just of a few hundred dollars, which in practical terms is almost negligible when compared to the total renovation cost. Moreover, the rise in the value of the property after stone-based renovation is certainly going to be way more than just a few hundred dollars.
Never Skip Granite or Marble: Both of these stones are very strong and durable, and with proper sealing and maintenance can last for decades after their installation. Marble in white to grey shades with eye-pleasing wavy and veining patterns are very popular. It can be used on walls surrounding bathtub and shower in bathrooms. In kitchens, it looks great on backsplashes. The large slabs of marble can also be used to cover walls in many places inside the house.

Granite has gained immense popularity in recent years and owing to its enticing shades, streaky patterns as well as tough physical nature, it is now regarded as one of the most preferred natural stones for kitchen applications. It is costly but has the power to dramatically transform any corner of the home in the most stylish way.

Shapes, Patterns, and Finishes: All these play a pivotal role in uplifting the looks of the natural stone. For example, hexagon/honeycomb shapes, herringbone, and basketweave are highly popular floor tile shapes in bathrooms. Likewise, for countertops, polished and honed finishes are the most preferred ones as they look very amazing and enhance the functionality of the stone. It is also suggested that you choose the right shade of stone, so as to complement the décor of the space of the stone installation exactly the way you want.

Upgrading your home with natural stones can be a bit expensive for the moment, but the elegance, charm and natural grace that they add to your property is seemingly impossible with any other material. On top of this, the boost in the value of your home is going to be so rewarding that it would definitely make you pat your own back for choosing natural stone(s) as a renovation material.

Five Most-Common Mistakes People Make While Cleaning Natural Stone Surfaces

Natural stones have a long history of being used as a prominent construction material. Even today, they are generously used in numerous interior/exterior decoration and landscape designing projects, such as natural stone floor tiles, across the globe.

A variety of stones like granite, marble, slate, and sandstone exists in numerous shades and design patterns that complement the décor of the place of their installation in a natural yet elegant way. In addition to this, these stones are highly durable and hardwearing with most of them having certain unique properties that make them suitable for a range of applications.

Though they could be broadly considered as a once-for-a-life time investment, they still require regular care and maintenance. Natural stones preserve their spot-less looks as well as shine when properly maintained. This, in turn, ensures that they will last for a lifetime.

With different physical features and chemical constituents, each type of natural stone requires a special kind of care. However, the general cleaning process is roughly similar for all-natural stones and requires nearly similar cleaning essentials and tools. The cleaning of natural stone floor tiles surface is a very easy-to-perform activity, but lack of adequate knowledge sometimes leads to several mistakes that eventually put the stone at high risk of getting damaged. Here we discuss five such most-common mistakes that need to be avoided while cleaning a stone surface:

Using Vinegar or Bleach for Cleaning: Never use vinegar or bleach as a cleaning agent as this might damage natural stone floor tiles. Cleaners with a neutral pH level of 7 are recommended for stone cleaning. Vinegar and bleach being acidic adversely react with marble, limestone, and sandstone and can cause permanent damage. Hence, be very specific about the cleaners. In case you are buying the same from the market, it is suggested to go for a branded cleaner, which is meant to be used for the same very stone that you are going to clean.

Using an Abrasive Tool: A common notion among many homeowners is that stains and etches can be effectively removed using a scrubbing pad. Unfortunately, this can end up in making the problem more complex, and when used with elbow grease, the problem is likely to become even worse. Soft cotton cloth and a mild soap solution or commercial cleaner are recommended stuff for cleaning. An etched stone can be best fixed by honing and then re-storing the same.

Skipping Daily Mopping: The dust and debris on the floor act as abrasives when coming under your feet while you walk over the stone floors. It is therefore recommended to daily clean floors and other flat stone surfaces (like a countertop) using a dry dust mop. A vacuum cleaner can also perform the task efficiently. Washing the floor with a neutral cleaner once a week is also a good practice.

Leaving Heavy Foot-Traffic Areas Unprotected: Heavy foot traffic on the stone surface can wear down the stone, which can alter its looks and make it appear dull. Rugs, doormats, and runners are therefore recommended to be placed in areas that observe heavy foot traffic.

Avoiding Regular Stone Sealing: For many stones, sealing is an integral part of regular stone maintenance and if we believe several stone industry experts, this should be only done under the guidance of a professional expert. Usually, a stone should be sealed once in three or five years, but in areas with a lot of windows and activities, a stone is required to be sealed as early as once a year. A solvent-based impregnating sealer is best suited for sealing a stone surface. This effectively prevents staining and water seepage, but since it is just a protective measure, the stone still requires to be cleaned on a regular basis.

Knowing one’s stone is pretty important as this would not just prevent you from causing any damage to the same, but also help you to clean and maintain your stone in the most appropriate way. Natural weathering or aging of natural stones is inevitable, but with regular maintenance, this process can be significantly slowed down. By taking all these measures and avoiding mistakes can assure you of a long life of your natural stone installations.

Paving Applications of Sandstone

Unquestionably, sandstone is the most preferred natural stone for paving applications all across the globe. Sedimentary in origin, sandstone exists in numerous shades and color palettes that are simply treat to eyes. Though sandstone paving is fairly used for interior decoration and architectural designing, its outdoor applications are way more when compared to the interior ones.

Owing to its quality and availability in charming shades, Indian sandstone paving is admired globally and for this reason, it is in great demand all over the world. To cater to this demand and that too in bulk quantities, numerous sandstone manufacturers and exporters from India supplies high-quality sandstone products in different parts of the world at extremely competitive prices.

Sandstone bears several properties that make it a suitable material for outdoor applications, especially paving. It is fire resistant and has a natural anti-skid surface. Thus, prevents falls and accidents during wet weather conditions. Moreover, sandstone is durable, resistant to harsh weather conditions and enhances its appearance with the natural process of weathering. These factors further confirm that sandstone is a pretty long-lasting stone and unlike other natural stones, is not going to get dull with continuous or rigorous usage even decades after its installation.

The rich and natural shades of sandstone help it to readily blend with other colorful components in the surroundings and add a classical yet stylish touch to outdoor spaces. Among numerous applications of sandstone pavers, the most common ones are discussed below:

Flooring: Spaces in and around the property, such as barbeque areas, balconies, patios and garden paths can be seen having sandstone paving. The tough nature of sandstone helps it to withstand heavy foot traffic. Also, it can hold barbeques as well as heavy stone statutes without any susceptibility to damage.

Driveways: In residential settings, driveways are usually constructed with sandstone. They are rigid and sturdy and hence, can easily bear the load of standing or slowly moving vehicles. It is recommended to get the sandstone sealed, so as to prevent damages from petrol and oil leakages from vehicles.

Pool Surrounds: The natural shades of sandstone pavers imparts a captivating look to the pool, when placed around it. Presently, sandstone is mainly used for pool coping, which prevents it from water-related damages. Since saltwater may alter the color, finish or texture; sandstone sealing is recommended for pool surrounds.

Other Popular Applications: At the entrance of a property or at different locations with a garden, sandstone can be used as stepping stones. It is also used to surround garden beds and to make feature walls and water features.

Apart from paving applications, a variety of sandstone articles are extensively used to decorate outdoor spaces like garden, large lawns, backyards and front yards. It is for all these reasons that sandstone is sometimes regarded as one of the most versatile natural stones.

Hope, this content will add to your knowledge of paving natural stone applications, especially sandstone. You can have the most functional and various sandstone products available with Regatta Universal Exports.
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Beautifying the Garden with Sandstone

“Durable” and “versatile” are the two words that aptly describe sandstone. Basically a sedimentary rock, sandstone is a prominent construction material that is globally used for landscaping as well as interior and exterior designing and decoration. The versatility of this natural stone can be attributed to its occurrence in a plethora of colors and its innumerable applications in the construction and architectural designing projects. Sandstone is a long-lasting and durable stone that can withstand harsh weather conditions. This makes it a perfect choice of outdoor applications. In addition to these, sandstone materials as decorative garden stones have a natural anti-skid surface and become more beautiful with the natural process of aging and weathering; hence can last for decades after installation.

Numerous Indian varieties of sandstone are highly popular around the world and a variety of sandstone products are produced and supplied by sandstone manufacturers and exporters from India. A lot of products for both interior and exterior installations are manufactured at state-of-the-art sandstone factories located all across India with most of them being situated near sandstone quarries. In case you want to get decorative garden stones delivered to your offshore location from India, you just need to contact a reputed sandstone exporter from India that can assure you of quality, dedicated customer service, safe packaging, and on-time deliveries.

For its amazing properties and captivating colors, decorative garden stones are extensively used for decorating outdoors, especially gardens. Within a garden, numerous sandstone products are installed that are not just highly functional but also add to the beauty of the garden in the most natural way. In addition to paving, sandstone is used to produce articles like statues, fountains, and planters that are pretty popular and have been known to be used for garden decoration for ages.

Sandstone fountain is an amazing stuff that graces the garden in numerous designs and styles. Sandstone is easy to cut and carve, thus some unique patterns can be engraved on its exterior surface to add to its beauty. When functional, these fountains make the ambiance of the garden lively and happening with numerous jets of water oozing out of the same.

Another exclusive decorative garden stones find application in garden is stone lamp. Sandstone lamps are available in an array of designs that are accordingly used to complement a traditional or modern garden setting. These can be placed across the entire garden or in a particular section that need to be lit in dark.

Electric bulbs are put inside these lamps that have several holes through which the light beams pass out and strikingly illuminate the space of their installation.

Sandstone is a popular material to create garden troughs as troughs made up of sandstone look amazing with weathered texture and alluring shades. Troughs are basically containers that are deep, narrow and long. Decorative garden stones are usually kept in gardens to hold a specific variety of decorative or flowering plant or a plant that requires special care and attention. Available in a variety of shapes and designs, stone troughs not just hold plants, but also help in ornamenting the entire garden; when thoughtfully placed in different corners of the garden.

Likewise, planters, urns, vases are also created out of sandstone that is used for holding the individual plant. In a creative way, they can be placed on block steps and pavements to hold creepers or large plants.

In different sizes, shapes, and styles, sandstone pedestal is one such article that is fairly decorative as well as functional. Stone pedestals are generally used to hold planters, birdbaths, and vases in gardens. Nevertheless, with unique styling and engraved patterns, they are frequently found to capture the attention of garden visitors.

Furniture is an integral part of almost every garden and sandstone is a widely used material to make the same as this stone offer a permanent seating solution within gardens. These are highly durable and resistant to rough weather conditions. To suit the requirement and choice, sandstone furniture in the forms of chairs, benches, and tabletops can be installed in different designs, shapes, colors and finishes.

Though there are ample of stone stuff for garden installations, the way a statue embellish a garden is downright incomparable. These highly creative items are meticulously carved out of sandstone blocks by skilled artisans, who with great attention and patience transform a simple block into an amazing piece of art. They can be placed anywhere in the garden to create the desired effect.

In addition to all these articles, there are a couple of other sandstone products that are used for garden decoration. These include stone balls, millwheels, stone mushrooms, and pillars and columns, among others. Depending on the functionality and aesthetic requirement, individual or a combination of these articles can be tastefully used to breathe a new life into an otherwise dull and soulless garden.

Popular Sandstone Finishes

Basically a sedimentary rock, sandstone consists of extremely small-size minerals and grain particles. Its major constituents are quartz and feldspar that are also the most abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust. It exists in a range of colors, due to varying quantities of impurities; but most popular sand stone shades include grey, tan, pink, yellow, brown, white, black and red.

India has large reserves of sandstone that are quarried in different shades and colors from various regions within the country. With major application in the construction sector, sandstone quarried in India is not only used within the country, but also exported in large quantities to meet its global demand. In European countries, sand stone finds extensive application in landscape and architectural designing. A number of Indian manufacturers and exporters of sandstone offers sandstone products in multiple shades, sizes, designs and finishes. With a high stature in the international market, most of these Indian sandstone exporters are very professional and customer oriented, when it comes to product quality, packaging and deliveries.

Whether used for paving, roofing, flooring or wall cladding, sand stone is regarded as a great material, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Sandstone is durable, easy to carve, fireproof and can easily withstand extreme weather conditions. In fact, it becomes more appealing with natural aging and weathering; hence it is said that sandstone, if maintained, can last a lifetime.

Depending on the application and place of installation, sandstone is available in various finishes that enhances its functionality and looks as well. A few of such popular finishes are discussed below:

Natural Hand-Cut: This is the most basic finish and entails manually cutting the sandstone in the desired size and shape. This finish is considered perfect for outdoor flooring, paving and wall cladding. With this finish, the sandstone has a naturally rough surface, which makes it apt for outdoor applications, and prevents slips and falls. When used as wall cladding, natural-finish sandstone imparts a unique look to the vertical structure.

natural-cleft-sandstone

Honed: It has a relatively smooth surface. In this finish, the sandstone is treated to develop an even, smooth and flat surface. This finish is preferred for interior wall cladding and flooring. Bench tops and kitchen countertops are also made out of sandstone with this finish.

honed-sandstone

Brushed: This finish is so called because the sandstone surface is treated with a metal or hard plastic brush. The process removes the soft sections of the surface, while leaving behind a slightly weathered texture.

brushed-sandstone

Bottom Calibrated: In this finish, the thickness of stone is reduced and the base is calibrated, so that it can easily adhere to the walls. Smooth finish stones are relatively difficult to be fixed.

Sawn/Machine-Cut: This process utilizes diamond disc teeth to develop the finish and the resultant stone has somewhat uneven and rough surface with tiny depressions and undulations. Sandstone tiles and pieces with sawn-cut finish are used in driveways, pathways, patios and paving.

sawn-sandstone

Tumbled: In this finish, the sandstone surface loses its sharp edges and becomes smooth. For this, the sand stone is treated with small-size yet relatively stronger stones in a drum-like machine. The tumbling process makes the surface entirely uniform with soft surface and edges. Cutting is not possible with this finish due to lack of sharp and distinct edges.

tumbled-sandstone

Sandblasted: Repeated blasting of the sandstone surface by silica sand with the help of an air gun leads to sandblasted finish. With this finish, the sandstone acquires small pores and a smooth abrasive texture. Sandblasted finish also helps in highlighting the color of the sandstone.

sandblasted-sandstone

Polished: In this finish, the sandstone is repeatedly exposed to abrasive treatment, which results in a polished and glossy surface. This improves the resistance of the stone and reduces its porosity to almost zero. The polished surface also highlights the color of the sandstone.

Polished-sandstone

The above discussed finishes do not form the complete list and are just the most preferred ones. Although the described finishes are sufficient to make a great choice as per the requirement, there is always a scope to find new finishes in the market. For this, one would require to contact any of the reputed sandstone manufacturers or exporters that are known to introduce new finishes into the market from time to time. An alternative to this can be a bit of online research and asking a reputed dealer in your vicinity for the availability of the selected finish.