Limestone Vs Sandstone Paving

If you’re thinking about transforming your outdoor space with some new paving, you might be trying to decide between limestone and sandstone.

Both types of paving have their pros and cons, so we’ve put them head to head to help you decide which option is best for you.

Style

Limestone paving is known for having a consistent colour palette, which is perfect if you love a minimalistic style. Limestone slabs are usually available in cool shades such as blue, light grey and black. 

On the other hand, sandstone is available in a wider range of patterns and colours, with warm tones more common than cooler tones. Its patterns are typically less consistent, giving it a more natural look - our Sienna Paving is a great example of a natural sandstone with a rustic look. 

Both paving types look completely different when wet, something to factor in before making your final decision!

Winner: BOTH

Style is subjective, so we really couldn’t pick a clear winner for this category. Generally, we would recommend limestone for modern gardens and sandstone for more traditional gardens.  

Durability

Limestone and sandstone both offer good amounts of durability. With the unpredictable British weather it’s important that your paving absorbs minimal amounts of water, which fortunately applies to both paving types. 

That said, it’s worth noting that lighter variations of sandstone are more porous than darker shades, albeit slightly. Lighter sandstone paving slabs may need extra cleaning or sealant, though this won’t require much extra maintenance. 

Winner: LIMESTONE

Limestone edges to the front in this category due to the higher porosity of lighter shades of sandstone, but ultimately both paving types possess long-lasting qualities. 

Texture

Limestone and sandstone both possess rather different textures. Limestone is typically flat and smooth, making it a great choice for driveways and modern garden settings. 

The texture of sandstone is slightly uneven and rippled, which might be better for those looking for something more practical, slip-resistant and natural-looking. 

Winner: SANDSTONE

In our opinion, sandstone offers a more characterful appearance and safety benefits due to its slip-resistant properties. 

Cost

At Landscape World, we sell high quality paving but at an affordable price. Our limestone and sandstone options are both similarly priced, with limestone typically around £2 or £3 cheaper per m2 than sandstone. 

Ultimately, the difference in price depends on where you purchase your paving. We only stock CE marked and ethically sourced paving products, whereas some stockists may offer ‘end of the line’, low-quality paving which skews the price slightly. 

Winner: LIMESTONE

Limestone wins on cost, but both paving types are relatively affordable and offer great value for money. 

Check out our full range of paving online or in store

We hope we have provided you with some valuable insight into the differences between limestone and sandstone paving. 

Have you decided which type of paving is best suited to your needs? Make sure to check out our full range of paving which is available to order on our website, with the option of click and collect as well as nationwide delivery.

Alternatively, head down to our paving centre in Widnes where you’ll be able to learn more from our team of Landscape World experts and find the perfect paving.