mineral / Stone / Igneous

Bluestone (Victorian basalt) tile, natural finish (10mm, 12mm, 20mm, 30mm)

Dense volcanic basalt with proven 150+ year performance in Australian conditions. Non-combustible, highly durable stone suitable for building envelopes, paving and architectural features.

Atlas code
MIN-STN-IGN-004
mineralstoneigneousbasaltbluestonevictoriannatural
Bluestone (Victorian basalt) tile, natural finish (10mm, 12mm, 20mm, 30mm)
At-a-glance signals

Dense volcanic basalt with proven 150+ year performance in Australian conditions. Non-combustible, highly durable stone suitable for building envelopes, paving and architectural features.

Overview
Executive summary

Victorian bluestone is an olivine basalt quarried from the volcanic plains of western Victoria. This premium natural stone has been Melbourne's quintessential building material since the 1830s, featuring in heritage landmarks and contemporary architecture. The material offers exceptional durability, non-combustible properties (BAL-FZ rated), and develops an attractive patina over time. Available in multiple thicknesses for various applications.

Best when…
  • Non-combustible material suitable for BAL-FZ zones
  • 100+ year proven service life in Australian conditions
  • Low maintenance requirements with annual sealing
  • Develops attractive natural patina over time
  • Locally sourced from Victorian quarries
  • 100% recyclable and reusable at end of life
  • Excellent slip resistance (P2/R10 rating)
  • High compressive strength (126 MPa dry)
  • Low water absorption (1.4-1.83%)
  • Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles
Top advantages
  1. 01 Non-combustible material suitable for BAL-FZ zones
  2. 02 100+ year proven service life in Australian conditions
  3. 03 Low maintenance requirements with annual sealing
  4. 04 Develops attractive natural patina over time
  5. 05 Locally sourced from Victorian quarries
Top limitations
  1. 01 High thermal conductivity requiring supplementary insulation
  2. 02 Minimal thermal resistance (R-value 0.008-0.013 at 20mm)
  3. 03 Heavy material (52 kg/m² at 20mm) requiring mechanical handling
  4. 04 Requires periodic sealing for honed finishes
  5. 05 No Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) available
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
2620 kg/m³
Specific gravity
2.62
Porosity
3.2 %
Water absorption
1.6 %
Hardness
6.5
UV resistance
Excellent // Natural stone UV stable
Chemical resistance
Good - avoid acids // pH neutral cleaners only
pH tolerance
6-10
Surface roughness
25 µm
Mechanical ·7
Tensile strength
14.5 MPa
Compressive strength
126 MPa
Flexural strength
15.3 MPa
Shear strength
22 MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.25
Impact resistance
High // Natural stone classification
Creep resistance
Excellent // Minimal for stone
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
7.8
Carbon footprint
0.15
Embodied energy
2.5 MJ/kg
Water footprint
50 L/kg
Recycled content
0 %
Renewable content
0 %
Circular score
8
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
Combustibility class
Non-combustible // NCC C2D10(5)
Fire resistance level
Non-combustible // AS 1530.1 deemed
Ignition temp
1100 °C
Flame spread index
0
Smoke dev. index
0
Heat release rate
0
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·5
Material cost (range)
$66-$140/m² // Varies by thickness and finish
Lead time
2-4 weeks standard, stock items available
Lifecycle cost
$15/m²/year // Over 50 years
Annual maintenance
$5-$10/m² // Annual sealing
Market availability
Good - multiple Victorian suppliers
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
75-150+ years // Heritage evidence
Maintenance interval
Annual sealing, 5-year deep clean // Recommended
Warranty period
Materials only - no defects // Standard warranty
Layer D

Where it's used

Building cladding and facade systems
Wall panels and architectural features
External and internal paving
Heritage restoration projects
Contemporary building envelopes
Landscape and hardscaping elements
Pool surrounds and water features
Steps, kerbs and street furniture
MIN-STN-IGN-004 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.