The short answer
Sandstone is a natural, matte stone that suits house elevations, compound walls, garden paths and paving. Dholpur beige and pink, Agra Red and Lalitpur yellow and grey are common choices. Use a natural or sandblasted finish outdoors for grip, fix cladding securely, and seal it against stains and algae. It is porous, so keep it off kitchen counters.
Key takeaways
- Sandstone suits elevations, compound walls, gardens and paving.
- Use natural or sandblasted finishes outdoors; fix cladding securely.
- Seal it against stains and algae, and keep it off kitchen counters.
Advice for you
Tell us who you are and we will show you what matters most in this guide.
I am building or renovating my home
Look at sandstone samples outside, in daylight, against your wall paint. Colours look very different in the store than in sunlight.
Book a visit to see full slabsI am an architect or interior designer
Detail fixings, movement joints, copings and drips on the elevation drawings, and specify sealing for shaded faces.
Request samples for a clientI am a contractor or builder
Use mechanical fixings on high or large panels, and keep joints clear of mortar smears that stain the face.
Work out quantitiesI live outside Bengaluru
Sandstone ships well as cut tiles. Send us the elevation areas for quantities and we can arrange delivery.
Choose slabs on a video callWhy use sandstone outside?
- A soft, natural texture that suits Indian architecture and modern facades alike.
- Warm colours that weather gently.
- A matte, gritty surface that grips underfoot.
- Cut as tiles, slabs, blocks and carved pieces for walls, jaalis and copings.
Sandstones compared
| Stone | Origin | Look | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dholpur Beige | Dholpur, Rajasthan | Warm beige, fine grain | Elevations, paving |
| Dholpur Pink | Dholpur, Rajasthan | Soft pink, fine grain | Elevations, carved work |
| Agra Red | Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh | Strong brick red | Feature walls, copings |
| Lalitpur Yellow | Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh | Golden yellow, light veining | Paving, walls |
| Lalitpur Grey | Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh | Light silver-grey | Modern elevations, paving |
| Teakwood | Rajasthan | Yellow-brown bands like wood grain | Feature walls |
| Rainbow | Rajasthan | Purple, brown and cream bands | Feature walls, garden walls |
Choosing a finish
- Natural (split): rough and textured; for walls and rustic paving.
- Sandblasted: evenly textured with good grip; for paving and steps.
- Honed: smooth and matte; for covered verandas and walls.
- Polished: rarely used outdoors; slippery when wet.
Fixing cladding on elevations
Stone on a facade must stay put for decades. For large or high panels, use mechanical fixings such as clamps or anchors in addition to adhesive; small tiles on low walls can be fixed with a suitable exterior adhesive. Leave joints for movement, and detail copings and drips so rain runs off rather than down the face.
Care outdoors
- Seal sandstone to reduce staining, algae and water absorption.
- Clean with water and a soft brush; avoid acid washes.
- Keep sprinklers and plant pots from staining walls and paving.
- In shaded, damp areas, expect some algae; clean it gently and improve drainage.
Sandstone pairs well with Kota Blue floors and granite steps such as Black Pearl. Try Dholpur Beige Sandstone with Lalitpur Grey Sandstone for a calm two-tone facade, or Agra Red Sandstone for copings and accents. See stone for outdoor and parking areas.
