Remodeling with Sandstone
Remodeling can be an expensive endeavor in every sense of the word. Whether you are upgrading the kitchen, remodeling the bathrooms, adding a media room or extending the deck – homeowners who make major renovations will all tell you that a well planned remodel is worth the effort. From enhancing the living space to making a profitable investment when it comes time to sell the home – don’t be afraid to take the time to explore your options. If you have a remodeling project in the works, take a minute to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using sandstone.
The Stone of Ages
Sandstone is an easily-recognizable natural stone. Its characteristic grainy texture and swirling golden,
yellow and ivory gradients evoke an open, wind-swept landscape. Like many natural stones,
sandstone claims a wide range of home applications but it takes some creative remodeling
brainstorming to find its perfect niche. When used correctly, sandstone can even rival some of
the classic favorites like granite and marble.
To break the ice, a little background on the contender. Sandstone is composed of sand-sized
minerals including common ones like quartz and feldspar. And contrary to the sandcastle
imagery the name might evoke, sandstone is very strong and highly resistant to weathering
which makes it a widespread building and paving material.
Where to Start?
Kitchen countertops are a great place to start a remodel. First, countertops are highly visible and can transform the look of a kitchen. And second, kitchen counters are an integral part of every kitchen. Sandstone is a good countertops material and works great for kitchen and bathroom remodels. The countertops make stunning additions because of their rich texture and vibrant color palettes. Furthermore, given sandstone’s high durability, an even more fitting application for this natural stone is as flooring material. Check out the some pictures of below.
Things to Consider
Sandstone’s natural beauty is easily its strongest advantage and main reason for its popularity.
The sediment layering produced over the course of millions of years creates unrivaled beauty.
The selection of shades and tones is also fairly large giving you the freedom to pick a natural
color that will match the rest of the room. Some sandstone slabs might even have embedded
fossils! This is truly a stone of ages.
The nature of sandstone’s creation is unfortunately also its main drawback. The porous nature
of the natural stone leaves it susceptible to staining and requires maintenance to keep clean. But
not to worry, there are many ways to prevent this from happening. The easiest, albeit unreliable
method, is simply to be more diligent with spills and accidents. The quicker the clean up the less
liquid the sandstone will absorb.
In the kitchen, a mess-free environment can be difficult to enforce so we recommend a more
failsafe solution. Apply sealant to the counters upon installation as you would with most
materials. Adding a protective layer will cost a little more but the investment if well worth the
years of beauty that the sandstone countertop or flooring will bring.
Sandstone requires more attention and care but remember, every stone has its weaknesses. The sealant can last for many years with floors and a bit less with countertops. If maintenance is not for you there are plenty of other options to choose from. Just don’t regret that you passed on the rich and earthy elegance of sandstone without giving it a try!
