About Sandstone

Sandstone is very popular these days and is widely used on patios and driveways. Its use goes back thousands of years having been used for domestic construction and housewares since prehistoric times.

In ancient times sandstone was a very popular building material as it was easy to work with and shape. Compared to other natural stones such as marble and granite, sandstone is relatively soft, which makes it very easy to carve. Sandstone can be seen across the world in the construction of churches, temples, cathedrals, homes and other public buildings. Sandstone has also been widely used for the creation of ornamental fountains, statues and other carvings.

The biggest challenge with sandstone is that it is very porous and one of the softest types of natural stone. Any surface water or oil deposits will quickly absorb into sandstone after a few seconds. Over time, water and in particular, water with a high salt content will damage the surface of the sandstone. To keep sandstone in good condition it should be sealed with a good quality sandstone sealer.

Why should you seal Sandstone?

Sandstone is very porous and one of the softest types of stone. Water and oil absorb into sandstone within seconds and, over a longer period, water and especially water with salt can do severe damage to the surface. All sandstone must be sealed to help keep it intact, free of salt efflorescence and looking good.

To ensure the original look of any sandstone surface is maintained it is vitally important to use a high quality, clear impregnating sandstone sealer. Topical sealers that sit on the surface of the sandstone will trap moisture in the sandstone which can lead to faster deterioration. Sandstone sealers from Smartseal are high quality impregnating sealers that are safe to use and suitable to seal all types of sandstone surfaces.