3 Major Types of Sandstones Available in India
Sandstone – a natural sedimentary rock – has emerged as one of the most popular construction materials in recent years. The natural beauty of the stone and its incredible properties make it a versatile choice for both interior and exterior decors.
In this guide from Décor Luxury Stones, the top sandstone suppliers from India, we share all that you need to know about sandstones – why it is a popular choice for décor, its properties, categories and more. Let’s get started.
The Three Major Types of Sandstone
Based on the composition and the materials, sandstone is classified into three types:
- Quartz Sandstone
- Arkose Sandstone
- Lithic Sandstone
Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between these three categories.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these three categories:
| Quartz Sandstone |
Arkose Sandstone |
Lithic Sandstone |
| Also known as quartz arenite |
------ |
Also known as greywacke or litharenite |
| This stone is formed due to a long time in the depositional basin |
This stone is present only for a short time in the depositional basin |
This stone is present only for a short time in the depositional basin |
| Composition: Majority of quartz grains |
Composition: Majority of feldspar grains, usually potassium feldspar |
Composition: Majority of rock fragments |
1. Quartz Sandstone
Other names: Quartz arenite
Quartz sandstone is a natural stone that occurs due to extreme weathering. When all the sediments have been removed from natural clay due to external weather elements like rain, wind and snow, it leaves behind quartz sandstone.
The high quartz content in this type of sandstone is due to the removal of lithic and feldspar. Chemical weathering removes lithic and feldspar to leave behind natural sandstone with high quartz content. Another way this stone is formed is due to the accumulation of large bodies of quartz sand in tidal sand bars.
It’s dominated by the presence of sand-sized quartz grains that occur due to the weathering of rocks like gneiss, granite and other natural stones that contain quartz.
2. Arkose Sandstone
Arkose sandstone is created due to the disintegration of gneiss or granite. A key characteristic of this stone is its high feldspar content. 1/4th of the stone is made of feldspar with high iron oxide cement. Besides feldspar, mica is another major component of this sandstone.
It’s usually available in the following colours – pink, brownish-grey and buff. Arkose sandstone is primarily used in construction. It’s also used for grinding corn as a millstone.
Arkose sandstones spend only a short time in depositional basins. This is because the feldspar in the stone weather quickly due to the high presence of clay. It’s usually found in regions with arid climates, tectonic activity, rapid erosion and steep slopes.
3. Lithic Sandstone
Other names: greywacke or litharenite
It’s usually found in regions with rapid erosion, and arid temperatures (not humid climates). It’s mainly made of dark, sand-sized rock fragments along with a percentage of feldspar grains, quartz, and mica.
Wondering why you should use sandstone? Continue reading to find the answers.
Most people know that sandstone is used for various uses like flooring, paving, decoration and even retaining walls. But, not many are aware of its incredible benefits and why it makes a great choice for homes and commercial buildings.
While sandstone is typically used for outdoor purposes like driveways, pavements, garden decoration, its applications are much more. It can also be used as the core building material for homes and commercial buildings.
At Décor Luxury Stones, the no.1 sandstone suppliers from India, we have listed a few points on why sandstone is an efficient building material.
# Natural Durability
Sandstone is primarily used outdoors, wonder why? Well, that’s because sandstone is highly durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions for years to come. It doesn’t crack, chip or fade due to changing weather conditions. The natural durability of sandstone makes it easily outlast other regular outdoor materials like tiles.
When you use sandstone for your exteriors, you can breathe easy knowing that you are laying a strong foundation for your buildings, for years to come.
# Easy Maintenance
Unlike other artificial construction materials, sandstone requires very less maintenance. All you need to do is give it a wash down with regular water and it will continue looking good for years to come. Also, since it’s highly durable it doesn’t require frequent repairs.
For tough stains, wash the stone with liquid chlorine – the ingredient we use for cleaning our pools. Spray a solution of liquid chlorine and water and scrub the stone with a soft brush to remove any dirt that’s stuck. That’s it – your stones will continue looking good for years to come.
If you think that sandstone is an ideal choice for your upcoming residential or commercial project, then you’ve come to the right place. As one of the best sandstone suppliers from India, we can provide you sandstone slabs and tiles at the best prices. For queries, quotes and other info just give us a ring at +91 82856 44444.
