Natural Sandstone

Composition of Natural Sandstone

Sandstone is a natural stone that is composed mainly of the mineral quartz. It can contain other minerals (such as iron oxide or mica) as well but it is made up of mostly quartz. Here are some of the components than can be in sandstone:

• SiO₂ (Quartz)
• AT₄O₈ With A = Potassium, Sodium, or Calcium (Feldspar)
• SiCO₂ (Silica)
• Fe₂O₃ (Iron Oxide)

Natural Sandstone Characteristics

Depending on the amount of and type of minerals in a given sandstone slab, it can be a variety of appealing colors. The porosity of a particular stone can vary depending on the composition. Additionally, sandstone normally has a hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Applications and Uses

Sandstone is used for many applications and for a variety of purposes. For example, sandstone is a material that is used for:

• Sinks
• Showers
• Flooring
• Vanities
• Countertops
• Dimension Stone

Advantages of Natural Sandstone

One advantage to sandstone is that it has a distinguishing, unique look and adds value to a structure in which it is used. It is a very hard material and is not easily scratched or chipped. This means it is a durable natural stone.

Since it is a natural material, sandstone is compatible with a number of other materials. The colors of sandstone also make it complimentary to a variety of other materials used in very unique designs. Sandstones are available in tan, grey, red, beige, and many other neutral colors. Yet, there are non-neutral sandstone colors as well.

Sandstone's Disadvantages

One drawback to using Sandstone is that it is very porous. This is the case for all natural stone materials, but especially sandstone. Each natural stone is porous to a one degee or another. This means it has the potential for being susceptible to staining via liquid substances. Yet, there are ways to care for and maintain sandstone.

Additionally, when fabricating sandstone it is necessary to use a diamond blade that is made for cutting hard stone materials. Hence, finding tooling designed for effectively cutting very hard materials is a key to successfully working with sandstone in fabrication.

Sandstone Care and Maintenance

Caring for natural sandstone is simple. However, simple does not necessarily mean it is easy. One of the simplest ways to care for sandstone is to regularly seal it. Sealing natural stone can help protect it from staining that could occur from colored liquid that could get into the pores of the stone and discoloring it. Here are some practical steps that can be taken to care for and maintain natural sandstone.

One of the most effective ways to care for your sandstone surface is to clean up any spills immediately. This keeps the liquid from getting into the pores of the stone and creating a stain than will require a stain remover to clean up.

1. Make sure to initially seal sandstone countertop surfaces to make oil and water based spills easier to clean.
2. Use a pH neutral cleaner on your sandstone surfaces. Acidic cleaners breakdown the sealer and allow stain causing liquids to penetrate the pores of the stone.
3. Periodically use an impregnating sealer to renew the seal that was added right after installation.

In addition to the care tips above, you can use a fortified natural stone polish on the surface of natural sandstone countertops (not flooring) to build up the seal a little at a time. By using the pH neutral stone cleaner and natural stone polish, you can consistently maintain the appearance of your sandstone countertop surfaces.

In conclusion, sandstone is a natural stone that can be used for a number of applications. It offers advantages over other materials but like everything else, it is not the perfect material for every situation or application. The beauty and cost effectiveness of sandstone though, may make it a good choice for a number of projects. And in certain design styles, it may even be the best fit.