It’s one of the questions we get asked most about our Indian sandstone paving here at Bridge Street Stone, and with good reason! The type of Indian sandstone you choose for your property has a hugely influential effect on its overall style, which means it’s worth taking the time to make sure it’s right. So if this is a question that’s been on your mind recently, here’s a quick explainer from the experts to clear it up!
What’s the difference between sawn and riven paving?
Sawn and riven paving are both different types of sandstone paving. The main difference is that sawn paving has been cut by machine, giving it a smooth surface and clean lines. Riven sandstone on the other hand has been split naturally along the rock’s fault line, giving it a more natural appearance, with a rough surface and raw edges.
That’s the key difference in a nutshell! Next, let’s look at both types of stone in a little more detail.
What is riven Indian sandstone paving?
As we’ve touched on above, riven stone has been carefully split along the rock’s natural fault line, often by hand. That results in a piece of paving with a raw, unpolished surface – one that’s highly tactile, and exudes a very traditional feel. As a side note, that raw surface also makes it naturally slip resistant, and that quality alone can make it quite appealing to some buyers.
Effortlessly evoking the look of period flagstones, riven sandstone is an exceptionally popular choice for rural surroundings like cottage garden designs, as well as patios and terraces for period homes. That’s not to say it’s limited to those environments though – it can provide some quite intriguing effects for all types of settings!
What is sawn Indian sandstone paving?
As the name suggests, sawn sandstone paving is created by using diamond-edged gang saws to cut large slabs directly from the original block. (We’ve actually detailed this process in-depth on an earlier blog). The slabs themselves are then cut down to the required paving size, and any one of a number of finishes may be applied – the surface may be honed, sandblasted, flamed or brushed.
If you prefer a more cutting-edge look for your property (pun absolutely intended), then there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself drawn to the smooth surfaces of these more contemporary paving designs. Widely favoured for their ability to smoothly blend into modern environments, the smooth surface of sawn paving stones give them an effortlessly sophisticated look, making them popular with homeowners up and down the UK. They’re also a go-to choice for many corporate environments, as they can project a highly professional impression to anyone arriving on the property.
Whatever you’re after for your own environment though, you can be sure we’ll have plenty to suit you right here at Bridge Street Stone. We supply both riven sandstone and sawn sandstone in a wide variety of colours, including Kota Black, Kandla Grey, Autumn Brown and Golden Leaf.
Our Indian sandstone is imported straight from ethically operated quarries in India, so if you’re looking to give your patio the perfect upgrade, feel free to give us a call today on 01282 860571 - we’re happy to help!