mineral / Stone / Sedimentary

Sandstone tile/paver, natural finish (20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm)

Natural sedimentary stone tiles/pavers composed primarily of quartz grains cemented by silica, iron oxides, or carbonates. Offers excellent durability, thermal mass, and aesthetic appeal for external paving and architectural applications in Australian climates.

Atlas code
MIN-STN-SED-003
mineralstonesedimentarynaturalaustralianbushfire-resistantslip-resistant
Sandstone tile/paver, natural finish (20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm)
At-a-glance signals

Natural sedimentary stone tiles/pavers composed primarily of quartz grains cemented by silica, iron oxides, or carbonates. Offers excellent durability, thermal mass, and aesthetic appeal for external paving and architectural applications in Australian climates.

Overview
Executive summary

Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock formed from sand-sized minerals or rock grains, predominantly quartz, bound together by natural cementing materials. Available in thicknesses from 20mm to 50mm for various load-bearing requirements. Natural finish provides slip resistance and weather resistance suitable for Australian outdoor conditions. Colours range from cream, buff, yellow to brown, red, and grey depending on mineral composition and iron oxide content.

Best when…
  • Naturally slip-resistant surface texture
  • Excellent thermal mass for passive solar design
  • Non-combustible with high fire resistance
  • Low embodied carbon compared to manufactured alternatives
  • Durable with 50+ year lifespan when properly maintained
  • Locally available reducing transport emissions
  • Aesthetically versatile with natural colour variations
  • Compatible with Australian building traditions
  • No VOC emissions - completely natural material
  • Recyclable and reusable at end of life
Top advantages
  1. 01 Naturally slip-resistant surface texture
  2. 02 Excellent thermal mass for passive solar design
  3. 03 Non-combustible with high fire resistance
  4. 04 Low embodied carbon compared to manufactured alternatives
  5. 05 Durable with 50+ year lifespan when properly maintained
Top limitations
  1. 01 Variable porosity affecting water absorption (3-20%)
  2. 02 Requires sealing in high-traffic or marine environments
  3. 03 Can be prone to salt attack in coastal areas without treatment
  4. 04 Natural colour variation may not suit all designs
  5. 05 Some varieties susceptible to weathering and erosion
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
2000-2650 kg/m³ kg/m³
Specific gravity
2.0-2.65
Porosity
10-35% %
Water absorption
3-20% by weight %
Hardness
6-7 Mohs scale
UV resistance
Excellent // Natural UV stability, minimal degradation
Chemical resistance
Good (pH 5-9) // Susceptible to strong acids
pH tolerance
5.0-9.0
Surface roughness
5-15 μm Ra µm
Mechanical ·7
Tensile strength
2-8 MPa MPa
Compressive strength
25-100 MPa MPa
Flexural strength
3-10 MPa MPa
Shear strength
5-15 MPa MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.15-0.25
Impact resistance
Moderate // Can chip under point loads
Creep resistance
Excellent // Minimal time-dependent deformation
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
0.079 kg CO₂/kg // Extraction and processing only
Carbon footprint
77 kg CO₂e/tonne // UK study, similar for Australian production
Embodied energy
0.3-1.0 MJ/kg MJ/kg // Quarrying and processing energy
Water footprint
Low L/kg // Minimal water use in production
Recycled content
0% % // Natural material
Renewable content
0% % // Geological resource
Circular score
High // Reusable, recyclable, minimal processing
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
Combustibility class
Non-combustible // AS 3959 compliant
Fire resistance level
Non-combustible // AS 1530.1
Ignition temp
Not applicable °C // Non-combustible
Flame spread index
0
Smoke dev. index
0
Heat release rate
0 kW/m² // No heat contribution
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
Material cost (range)
$45-150/m² // Australian market 2024-25
Material cost (per unit)
$50-100/m² typical // Mid-range quality
Lead time
1-4 weeks // Standard products, custom may be longer
Lifecycle cost
$150-300/m² over 50 years // Including maintenance
Annual maintenance
$2-5/m² // Cleaning and resealing
Market availability
Readily available // Multiple Australian quarries
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
50-100+ years // With proper maintenance
Maintenance interval
Annual sealing, 5-yearly deep clean // High traffic areas
Warranty period
10-15 years typical // Manufacturer dependent
Layer D

Where it's used

External paving - driveways, pathways, patios
Pool surrounds and coping
Public spaces and pedestrian areas
Garden edging and landscaping features
Wall cladding and facade elements
Steps and stairs
Internal flooring (sealed)
Heritage restoration projects
Bushfire-prone area construction (BAL rated)
Commercial and residential courtyards
MIN-STN-SED-003 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.