What is Indian Stone?

Popular since the ’90s, Indian stone paving is a special type of natural stone often used for patios and neat pathways. As the name suggests, these pretty pavers are imported from India – a country renowned for their beautiful, naturally veined stone.

What are the benefits?

• Durable and safe - It can withstand many kinds of pressure and is resistant to hot weather and the extreme cold of a UK winter. Indian stone isn’t likely to split, crack or have bits peel off it either. The stone has a special non-slip quality as well, so on slippery, wet days, you won’t be falling over.

• Low maintenance - Indian stone paving is easy to clean and maintain. Most of the dirt that accumulates over time will be washed away by the rain, and any that remains can be easily wiped off or hosed down.

• Attractive - Indian stone will not fade, so it remains visually striking. The quartz crystals in the stone give it a shiny, glass-like look, and the surface is very smooth and clean. Because the rock was formed millions of years ago under extreme heat, it has streaks of naturally occurring pigments which give it its signature appearance. Indian stone also comes in a range of subtle colours and different patterns, so you have a wide variety to choose from.

• Affordable - You might assume that because Indian stone has so many benefits that it would be too expensive, but in fact, compared to other kinds like Yorkshire stone, it is very reasonably priced. Most people are turning to it as an alternative to other traditional materials because it is generally cheaper without any decrease in quality.

The Installation Process

For Patios:
For initial preparation, the Indian stone patio area will need to be excavated to around 200mm from a finished height. The waste will be removed via your man with a digger. The area will be filled with 100mm of M.O.T type 1 which is levelled and compressed to give a firm sub-base for the patio. At this point, appropriate linear gully drainage channels will be installed and set on a bed of mortar. The stunning Indian stone flags will then be set on a full bed of predominantly grit based mortar to ensure long-lasting flag to mortar bonding. The natural pavers will be set level and flush to each other in a random pattern, the patio will also be set at a slight incline to ensure correct water run-off into the gullies. After all of the flags have been cut to perfection and set into place. The patio will be cleaned and a grey or buff resin-based jointing compound will be brushed and compressed into the joints, giving a stark contrast to the flags which really brings out the shapes and colours of the paving. Flags will be a mixed brown colour for a stunning finish. Mortar can take up to 30 days to fully cure and harden.