Sandstone is a gift from Mother Earth that has been used as a building material since time immemorial. As a coarse-grained sandstone with 4 letters, grit is known to many crossword puzzle fans. Of course, this aspect is only the prosaic snapshot of a breathtaking variety of species. We invite you to take a stroll through the fascinating world of Ibbenbüren sandstone and other famous types of sandstone. Before you buy sandstone, take a look at informative short portraits of beautiful premium species.

Sandstone is not just sandstone

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Sandstone buy premium species
  3. Ibbenbüren sandstone
  4. Obernkirchen sandstone
  5. Elbe sandstone
  6. Cotta sandstone
  7. Baumberg sandstone
  8. Seeberger sandstone
  9. Udelfang sandstone
  10. Silesian sandstone
  11. Palatinate sandstone
  12. Indian sandstone
  13. Clean with home remedies
  14. Processing sandstone correctly
  15. frequently asked Questions

    16. the essentials in brief

    • Sandstone consists half of sand grains and is the generic term for diverse types with specific properties such as texture, color and weather resistance.
    • Premium types are fine-grained Obernkirchen sandstone and medium to coarse-grained Ibbenbüren sandstone in different colors.
    • Cleaning dirty sandstone is possible with

    Buy sandstone - Beautiful species with their properties

    Sandstone is a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of grains of sand. The size spectrum of the sand grains ranges from 0.063 mm to 2 mm, rarely up to 4 mm. Large deposits worldwide and in Germany make sandstone a highly valued building material for buildings, facades, paving, sculptures, landscape and garden design. Almost every region has individual types of sandstone that inspire home and garden owners to come up with creative ideas. The following table gives an insight into the diverse world of beautiful sandstone with specific properties:

    Surname texture color main use
    Ibbenbüren sandstone medium to coarse-grained grey, yellow, brown to reddish brick and paving stone
    Obernkirchen sandstone fine-grained yellowish gray white Sculpture and water stone work
    Elbe sandstone fine to medium-grained white, gray, yellowish, brown building blocks of all kinds
    Cotta sandstone fine-grained light gray to yellow-grey stone carving
    Baumberg sandstone fine to medium-grained yellowish gray building blocks of all kinds
    Seeberger sandstone fine-grained yellow, yellow-grey, Bricks, facades, floor slabs
    Udelfang sandstone fine-grained gray, whitish, yellowish, brownish stone carving
    Silesian sandstone fine to medium-grained yellowish-reddish to grey-white Restorations, new builds
    Palatinate sandstone fine to coarse-grained red, pale red, ocher large-format workpieces
    Indian sandstone medium grain beige-brown, gray to pink-red building block inside and out

    There are many different types of sandstone in many different hues

    Please note: The classification according to sandstone types refers to the sand contained, whereby the naming refers to the region of occurrence. Popular sandstone colors are due to specific admixtures and have no direct relevance to species affiliation. Red sandstone can be both the popular Main sandstone and Weser sandstone. Yellow sandstone often comes from Poland and is known as Warthauer sandstone, but it can also be found in India. Blue sandstone is a rarity from the Teutoburg Forest and is known as Osning sandstone. Therefore, when buying sandstone by color, be sure to ask exactly what type it is. Because the type of sandstone provides information about the texture and, as a result, how you can process or use the natural stone.

    Ibbenbüren sandstone - short portrait

    Ibbenbürener Sandstein owes its name to the town of the same name in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its premium quality is due to an origin that took place around 300 million years ago. As a frost-hard quartz rock with a significantly high proportion of silicic acid, Ibbenbüren sandstone is characterized by a pronounced resistance to weathering. The flexible color as Buntsandstein qualifies the medium to coarse-grained sandstone for these uses:

    • bricks
    • facing bricks
    • windowsills
    • block steps
    • floor tiles

    Contrary to widespread opinion, the Statue of Liberty in New York does not stand on a pedestal made of Ibbenbüren sandstone. Despite the sandstone-colored base, the legendary Lady Liberty is enthroned on concrete, covered with granite blocks.

    Obernkirchen sandstone - short portrait

    Obernkirchen sandstone is slightly yellowish

    Occurrences of Obernkirchen sandstone are locally limited to Obernkirchen in northern Germany. The fine-grained, compact nature fascinates with unusual textures that make the sandstone schlieren-like. If the quarry produces yellowish blocks, the mineral limonite dominates in the rock. A gray coloration results from increased carbon components. Obernkirchen sandstone is primarily recommended for these natural stone works:

    • artistic sculpting
    • Hydraulic engineering work, such as edging fountains or pool borders
    • New buildings, especially window sills, window surrounds and garden sculptures

    The weather resistance of Obernkirchen sandstone is legendary. From 1153 to 1167 the collegiate church of the village was built with this type of sandstone. To date, only minimal weathering can be observed. The high-quality type is often used as armourstone to expand shipping canals. Resourceful garden owners recognize an advantageous use for the design of ponds, streams and water features.

    Elbe sandstone - short portrait

    As the name suggests, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains consist of sandstone

    The Elbe was the inspiration for the naming of Elbe sandstone. Natural occurrences are in northern Bohemia and parts of Saxony in the greater Dresden area. Delicately marbled sandstone can be admired in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in Saxon Switzerland. It is not a single type of sandstone, but several types of sandstone that formed during the Cretaceous period around 145 million years ago. Siliceous bound quartz grains make up the main component and ensure high strength. As a building material with a load-bearing function, Elbe sandstone is often used to realize small and large projects.

    Cotta sandstone - short portrait

    Cotta sandstone is one of the Elbe sandstone types. Its special characteristics find expression in an outstanding cultural significance. As the lowest lying stone horizon of a total of three stone layers, about 400 meters thick, Cotta sandstone is predestined to be a sculptor's stone. A composition of lime, clay and gravel creates remarkable marble textures. gifted stonemasons know how to use this to process Cotta sandstone in this way:

    • window and door frames
    • restoration of historical buildings
    • Window sill inside and outside of new buildings
    • modern sculptures, such as fountains or stone lanterns for Japanese garden design

    Facades, columns and pillars with cladding made of Cotta sandstone shine with a unique beauty. The surprising color changes do not always follow the layering process, but appear as a cloudy, nodular, lively structure. Thanks to this special property, each object is stylized to be unique.

    Baumberger sandstone - short portrait

    Baumberger sandstone is actually not real sandstone. In fact, it is a sand-lime brick with a particularly high proportion of sand. Its home is the Münsterland with concentrated deposits near the town of Baumberge. Here, 145 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period, the wonderful rock was formed, which is useful in many ways:

    • Stone carvings on historic and modern buildings
    • massive buildings
    • cobblestones
    • curbs
    • stairs
    • floor tiles
    • tombstones

    Baumberger Sandstein has gained a good reputation for the construction and design of interior spaces. The living room walls, clad with facing bricks made of light Baumberger sandstone, exude a cozy ambience. As tiles in the bathroom and living room, the fine-pored sandstone texture invites you to walk barefoot.

    Seeberger sandstone - short portrait

    If you want to admire Seeberger sandstone in its natural environment, travel to Thuringia to the Großer Seeberg near Gotha. There are two quarries in the 6-kilometre-long Seeberg ridge, which mine the precious natural stone. A predominantly light color with brown veins is characteristic of Seeberger sandstone. Famous buildings testify to its resistance to weathering, such as the Erfurt Cathedral or the Wartburg in Eisenach. Modern uses are:

    • bricks
    • Panels for facades, terraces and floor surfaces
    • Paving stones, primarily small paving stones

    Seeberger sandstone is a good choice for achieving the typical sandstone effect in creative garden design. Use the frost-resistant natural stone for the impressive dry stone wall, as barefoot-friendly terrace slabs or as stylish wall cladding for a facade with Mediterranean charm.

    Udelfang sandstone - short portrait

    Quarry stones from Udelfanger Sandstein are mined near Trier. Experts date the geological age to the lower shell limestone around 230 million years ago. The soft stone is very rare and has always been very popular with sculptors and stonemasons due to its filigree fine grain. As green sandstone, the beautiful type of natural stone is also familiar to private builders who want to give their building projects a noble, green touch, both indoors and outdoors. If you want to buy Udelfanger Sandstein, competent purchasing sources are few and far between. We recommend contacting local natural stone works and stonemasons, such as M & K Udelfanger Sandstein in the Eifel or Mayko Natursteinwerke in Mayen.

    Silesian sandstone - short portrait

    Sandstone is also mined in Silesia and used in a variety of ways

    Wunschelburg sandstone is the best-known representative of Silesian sandstone. Its origins go back to the Cretaceous period around 130 million years ago. Wind and water transport sand in different grain sizes in the direction of the Inner-Sudetic Depression, where the sand grains settled. Silicic acid and overlying sediments gradually solidify the sand into sandstone. Gradually the younger sediments weather away and expose the Silesian Sandstone near the surface. Since the 13th century, the quarrying of the beautiful sandstone has flourished in Poland, which is used in modern times like this:

    • restore and refurbish historic buildings
    • Cladding of facades in new construction
    • Plates as pillar covers or wall cladding
    • Cut stone for steps and block steps

    Since Silesian sandstone can be mined in large blocks, sculptors favor the natural stone for creating impressive sculptures. This fact is interesting for private builders and garden owners who are looking for a majestic boulder.

    Palatinate sandstone - short portrait

    Representative of Palatinate sandstone types is Schweinstaler sandstone, which has also made a name for itself as red sandstone. The development began in the Middle Buntsandstein period, the so-called Lower Triassic, around 250 million years ago. Prolific quarries are located in Rhineland-Palatinate near Landstuhl, where the sandstone is brought to light with a spectacular red colour. Flexible color and grain size allow numerous options for staging the natural stone indoors and outdoors:

    • bricks
    • building block for bridges
    • Frames for windows and doors
    • stair steps
    • Floor slabs, terrace tiles, polygonal slabs
    • Fascinating Disguise

    A beautiful red color in combination with robust longevity recommend Schweinstaler sandstone for the tasteful grave design. With a unique, unmistakable gravestone and a suitable border, the relatives bow to the inimitable nature of the deceased.

    Indian sandstone - short portrait

    Indian sandstone is particularly popular because of its beautiful colors

    Have you ever wondered what natural stone the picturesque Maharaja palaces and Hindu temples of India are made of? It is Indian sandstone that boasts high density, robust frost resistance, and beautiful colors. The 'Yellow Mint' variety shines in warm yellow. 'Modak' is unmissable as a red sandstone. 'Kandla Grey' convinces with subtle gray nuances. Here you can use Indian sandstone creatively:

    • terrace slabs
    • pond border
    • floor panels, polygonal panels
    • Risers and stairs
    • bricks
    • Wall paneling and skirting boards

    So far, you can only buy Indian sandstone from specialist dealers who import the natural stone from India. Stonennaturelle is not only represented on the Internet, but also invites you to visit showrooms in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The prices are 41 euros per square meter for terrace slabs plus a shipping fee of 200 euros.

    digression

    Make artificial sandstone yourself

    A genuine sandstone trough is rare and expensive. With a little manual skill, you can make the stone bucket from artificial sandstone yourself. Construct the mold from sealed chipboard. To mix the mortar yourself for a 40 x 60 cm trough, you need 25 liters of building sand, 10 liters of cement, 10 liters of expanded clay, (19.73€) 5 liters of bark compost and 0.5 liters of cement-proof paint. All the ingredients are mixed, flow into the mold and after 24 hours have dried so far that you can artistically work on the sandstone bucket.

    Cleaning sandstone with home remedies - this is how it works

    Sandstone should be cleaned dry or with mild detergents

    The long, wet and cold winter leaves unmistakable traces on sandstone surfaces. Moss, algae and dirt have to go so that the outdoor season in the garden, on the balcony and terrace can start spring-fresh and sparkling clean. Due to the porous texture, harsh, acidic cleaning agents are taboo. Vinegar or citric acid dissolve the lime and destroy the noble sandstone surface. The following instructions explain how to gently and thoroughly clean sandstone with household products:

    1. Sweep off soiled sandstone surface
    2. Stir 20-30 g of soda into 10 l of hot water
    3. alternatively, dissolve 40-50 g curd soap in the water
    4. Apply cleaning solution to sandstone with a watering can or pressure sprayer
    5. leave on for a few hours
    6. remove softened dirt and moss with a scrubber or brush
    7. Remove the last dirt particles with a water hose (not a high-pressure cleaner).

    In the last step, you subject the sandstone to impregnation. Good agents allow water to roll off and prevent dirt without sealing the sandstone. Special products from specialist shops are suitable for impregnating, which are tailored to the special properties of sandstone and protect against renewed soiling for a long time.

    Removing paint from sandstone

    Removing old, dried paint from sandstone with home remedies works with heat and muscle wax. You can generate the necessary superheated steam (120°-150° Celsius) with a disused steam iron, hair dryer or wallpaper stripper. First, use a spiked roller to perforate the old layer of paint so that the heat can fully penetrate. Expose the paint to the hot steam until signs of dissolution can be seen. A spatula is suitable for removing the softened paint from the sandstone.

    Cleaning sandstone with chlorine

    If home remedies fail to clean sandstone, tackle dirt and green growth with tougher bandages. The product 'Eau de Javel bleach water', also known as Javel water, contains chlorine and requires appropriate safety measures such as wearing gloves when used. Dissolve detergent in water according to manufacturer's instructions. Please never use chlorine-containing agents on sandstone undiluted, because damage to the surface is inevitable.

    tips

    With sandstone you give an old garden wall a new shine. Boring plastering was yesterday. Facing bricks or natural stone slabs made of sandstone elegantly and tastefully disguise neglected walls. The rejuvenation cure has an average price of 39 EUR/m² if you restore the wall yourself.

    Processing sandstone - This is important to note

    A diamond saw blade works best for cutting sandstone

    Sandstone is one of the soft rocks and is easy to work with for the experienced do-it-yourselfer. In the quarry, the rock is broken into blocks and can then be processed individually.Private builders primarily aim for the final adaptation of sandstone so that the natural stone can be perfectly integrated into the house and garden. In this context, important aspects must be observed so that the valuable rock is not damaged:

    measure tool to note
    To cut Saw with diamond saw blade Cut parallel or across the layering
    grind Grinding machine with diamond disc 2000 low rotation per minute
    Drill pneumatic masonry drill drill slowly, note the risk of breakage
    columns Masonry drills, splitting wedges Match slit holes to texture
    To brush Silicate paint, lime casein paint no emulsion paint or acrylic paints
    Adhere Rotband inside, mortar outside Do not seal surface

    A compressed air-powered chisel is suitable for freehand cutting of sandstone. If you are pursuing the ambitious goal of making sandstone sculptures yourself, the plan will succeed with compressed air chisels in various sizes, such as those used by stonemasons and sculptors.

    Explanations of the processing methods

    youtube

    The parallel cutting of the stone saw when cutting sandstone is associated with a high level of dust formation. Protect your eyes and respiratory system before you get to work. In practice it has been found that hard metal blades cause less dust on a stone saw than diamond saw blades. You can skilfully grind sandstone by guiding the grinding machine over the surface with circular movements. An even, light application of pressure prevents unwanted grinding marks.

    A test bore provides information about the exact nature of sandstone. Slow rotation is just as important as regular water cooling as part of the main drilling that follows later. You can split sandstone blocks up to 50 centimeters thick by hand. Use a masonry drill to drill holes for driving wedges. Splitting is done with a sledgehammer or demolition hammer. Apply the splitting wedges in such a way that the authentic layers in the sandstone are preserved.

    Only colors that allow the natural stone to breathe are suitable for painting sandstone. For this reason, dispersion paints and acrylic paints are taboo. Silicate paints do not seal the sandstone surface and are therefore the first choice for painting. When you glue sandstone, you have to differentiate between indoor and outdoor. Wall facings and brick slips are fixed indoors with hard plaster, also known as Rotband. Outdoors, adhesive mortar ensures weather-resistant stability of terrace slabs, tiles or steps.

    frequently asked Questions

    I would like to buy terrace slabs and bricks made of sandstone. What is the price if I can pick up the natural stone with my own trailer?

    Terrace slabs made of Ibbenbüren sandstone are available from specialist retailers for prices starting at EUR 36/m². You can get beautiful sandstone slabs from Obi from 28 EUR/m² for less, but not in Ibbenbürener quality. For bricks, please calculate a unit price from EUR 1.59 to EUR 8.50, depending on the quality and processing. Added to this are the costs for important accessories such as tools, foundations and grout.

    What is the density of sandstone?

    The wide range of sandstone types only allows average values to be given at this point. In general, popular types of sandstone have a density between 2.2 and 2.8 grams per cubic centimeter. From this you can calculate the weight, provided you know the dimensions of the sandstone. For example, if it is a paving stone with side dimensions of 10 centimetres, calculate like this: 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm results in 1000 cm³ multiplied by 2.2 g/m³ density corresponds to a weight of 2200 grams or 2.2 kilograms.

    What is another name for sandstone?

    The generic term sandstone brings together numerous synonyms that refer to specific properties. If the natural rock contains more than 90 percent quartz, it is quartz rock. If the quartz content is below 75 percent, the other name for sandstone is greywacke. If sandstone with 25 percent feldspar comes out of the quarry, one speaks of acrosis. Especially coarse-grained sandstone with grain sizes between 2 and 4 mm is called grit.

    What is the difference between sandstone and sand-lime brick?

    Sandstone is a natural rock with a high proportion of sand grains of more than 50 percent. If sand-lime brick is mentioned commercially, it is usually an artificially manufactured product made of sand and cement. The production process was developed at the end of the 19th century as a low-cost building material for social housing. Inexpensive sand-lime bricks are still used today in shell construction, for the construction of sound insulation and fire protection walls.

    When talking about sandstone, we often talk about its texture. What is behind this term?

    The word comes from geology, i.e. the science of the composition, properties and structure of stones. Texture describes the spatial arrangement of the components in the rock. In sandstone, different grain sizes and material admixtures produce different textures. Differences in color in the stone layers create the unique sandstone effect in the form of veins and streaks, such as in Obernkirchen sandstone.

    We plan the natural garden design with sandstone. In what form can we integrate sandstone into the garden?

    One of the best options for using sandstone in the natural garden is to build a dry stone wall. The ecologically valuable masonry is built from clear stones, which ideally come from a local quarry. The resulting joints are planted with wild flowers, native perennials and succulents. The unjointed masonry serves as a life-saving retreat for insects and small animals. Over time, beetles, lizards, slowworms and spiders will settle and transform your dry stone wall into a living biotope.

    tips

    A raised bed made of sandstone should not be missing in the representative natural garden. A frost-proof foundation made of gravel and sand carries the bricks. Talented do-it-yourselfers use drywall construction, so that mortar and joint adhesive are superfluous. A north-south orientation is important to note, regardless of whether you are building a herb spiral or a back-friendly sandstone vegetable raised bed.

Category:

Garden design