Union Tiles: For the Love of Sandstone

Generally formed from beds of sand below the sea or low lying areas, sandstone is a beautifully versatile and natural product. As this bed of sand subsides into the earth’s crust, usually pressed down by overlying sediments, it is heated and compressed. Water flows slowly through all these tiny grains, importing minerals. Minerals crystallize around the sand grains and cement them together into sandstone.

Sandstone, well, this god certainly has a way to ‘cement’ things together!

Sandstone is rich and warm in appearance. It is warm to the touch and when used outside, especially near pools and ponds it looks like beautiful beach sand. Some of the colours found in sandstone will make you think of the Egyptian gods with the reds and gold shades that give this stone its beauty and depth. Certainly not a material that is as hard as granite or quartzite but well worth investing in.

We asked our friends from Union Tiles to share some of the do’s and don’ts regarding using sandstone in and around your home. This is what they had to share:

• Be sure you understand the various options. Ask the salesperson to show you what honed and natural Sandstone looks like.
• Take into consideration which texture you prefer and, note that the natural texture may create a problem with your soft furnishings inside, as the surface has different levels in one tile.
• In addition, be aware and understand that the product must be sealed and after 2 – 3 years it would be wise to just apply another coat or two.
• Make sure that the tiler puts on sealer prior to grouting as this makes the cleaning process so much easier.
• The ‘honed’ surface is sexy and smooth but still needs to be sealed!
• The tile comes with thickness variation so be aware of the implication before buying.
• The SQT range of products will allow you to have the sleeker shinier finish or the natural rich look of natural stone.
• Do not seal if there is any damp in the tile.
• Use the appropriate adhesive and get advice from one of the Union Tiles sales staff.
• Wash the tile thoroughly before sealing. No adhesive or grout residue must be visible on the surface.

Sandstone is used for various applications, including:

Cladding – Externally and Internally.
Decorative or just to enhance a building.
Floors for outside and inside. Sandstone is very expressive with the tips of colour and if you are really lucky you will even get a couple of tiles that will have a leaf or twigs ‘fossiled’ on the surface.
Having said all of this, if you have a ‘dead’ wall on one side of your house or an external wall where the paint tends to fade quickly, buy sandstone.