The short answer
Outdoors, choose a hard stone with a textured finish. For driveways and car porches: flamed or leather granite, or Kota or Tandur in a rough finish. For garden paths and pool surrounds: sandstone in a natural or sandblasted finish. Avoid polished stone anywhere that gets wet, and keep marble and onyx indoors.
Key takeaways
- Outdoors, choose a hard stone with a textured finish for grip when wet.
- For car porches and driveways, the base and thickness matter as much as the stone.
- Keep polished stone, marble and onyx indoors.
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
Walk the outside of your home and list each area: parking, paths, steps, pool or garden. Each can take a different stone, and a textured finish keeps everyone safe in the monsoon.
Book a visit to see full slabsI am an architect or interior designer
Sandstone in a natural finish suits paths and facades; granite and Kota take vehicle loads. Ask us for samples so the client sees the colour wet and dry.
Request samples for a clientI am a contractor or builder
Discuss vehicle loads and the base before you order. Measure each outdoor area and use the quantity calculator for a first figure.
Work out quantitiesI live outside Bengaluru
Outdoor stones are usually plain enough to choose from photographs. Ask for a quote to your site, since delivery cost depends on distance.
Choose slabs on a video call| Area | Stone | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway, car porch | Granite, Kota, Tandur | Flamed, leather, rough |
| Garden path, patio | Sandstone | Natural, sandblasted |
| Pool surround | Sandstone, travertine | Natural, tumbled, honed |
| Outdoor steps | Granite, sandstone | Flamed, natural |
| Compound wall, facade | Sandstone, granite, Jaisalmer | Natural, honed |
Which stones work outdoors?
- Tandur Yellow and Kota Blue for parking and utility areas.
- Rosy Pink or Ash Black in a flamed finish for car porches.
- Dholpur Beige Sandstone, Teakwood Sandstone and Lalitpur Grey Sandstone for paths and paving.
Thickness and the base under the stone matter as much as the stone on a driveway. Discuss vehicle loads with your contractor. See all stones for outdoor areas and paving.
