Indian stone - Best colour? how long will it last?

[al1007]

Hi all, just joined as I am hoping to get a patio laid in the next few weeks.

I'm looking for Indian stone and quite like the 'grey multi' colour, but I've read somewhere that with a lot of rain they tend to turn brown around the edges!?!

Once this patio is done, that's it then for at least ten years - I'm not planning to spend anymore there, so need to know which Indian stone is the best and will last longest?

Any help much appreciated!
Thanks

[lutonlagerlout]

its a matter of choice and personal taste
but i like the modak range and they seem a little harder than some of the others
here is an example that i laid

cheers LLL

[London Stone Paving]

LLL is spot on with the Modak, it is one of the harder stones. The kota stones are also hard as well (Autumn Brown, Kandla Grey, Raj Green). The stone you mention as "grey multi colour" is more than likely the same as the kandla grey mentioned above. This is THE hardest Indian sandstone known to man. One of my suppliers informs me that it is not really sandstone.

You will neeed to avoid the fossil mint because this is one of the softer varieties of Indian Sandstone. There are no issues with the strength of fossil mint but because the stone is soft/porous it will acclimatize quickly and change colour.

[al1007]

Thanks for your replies.

I've had a few quotes locally but the cheapest seems to be on the internet - landscapesuppliesdirect.

For kandla grey it's £271.72 per 15m2 pack. Does anyone know about this website and if it's reliable!?

Thank you!

[London Stone Paving]

We have bought lots of items from landscapes direct over the years and they are a reliable company in my opinion. However when buying stone its always best to see what you are buying before you buy it.

Main reasons is because of the colour variation of natural stone. If you dont see it first you may be in for a surprise.

Other reasons to buy more locally are that it will be easier to get damaged stone replaced and also if you have bought too much you can generally return it minus a small restocking charge.

[STAFFORDSHIRE STONE]

kandla grey is one of the hardest indian stones, it is quarried just outside kota in the same mines as most Raj green and Autumn Brown , good quality material should be all grey in various tones, however importers are buying material in the Bhopal area which is selling in the UK as Kandla Grey but can contain brown and iron staining , it is not good and should be avoided.
Kandla grey is used mostly in the home market in India , its price for export to europe has always carried a premium over Raj green e.t.c .
Have you tried Stone Valley you should be able to buy from them at around £14 + vat p/m and they have their own trucks which del all over the country, this is where the trade buy - jewsons- tp etc.

[lutonlagerlout]

it is quarried just outside kota in the same mines as

i dont think they mine indian stone,it comes from dynamiting quarries,as detailed on this blog
cheers LLL

[STAFFORDSHIRE STONE]

The term mine in Indian is used for open cast workings , the stone is quarried by drilling and plugging, no explosive is used it would crack all the stone making it only useful as road building material. The blocks are lifted by crane and either split on site or sold as they are.

[lutonlagerlout]

as i understand it, a mine can be open cast,but generally mines are for metals or seams of coal,gold ,diamonds whatever
whereas quarries the bedrock its self is the prize
hard work whichever way you look at it :;):
LLL