Feeling blue? Why not spice up life by installing new patio pavers that reflect this internal feeling? We know it can be difficult to decide what stone to use for patios and other building activities, so why not try something new? Bluestone patio pavers are often breathtaking and super stylish, but what is bluestone exactly?
In this article, we’ll take a close look at one of our favorite paver materials, consider the various styles and options you can choose from, and help you decide if this lovely material is right for your patio!
What is Bluestone? A Definition
Bluestone is a type of rock used as a building material around the world. This stone has a gray-blue hue when first gathered or installed, but will fade to become grayer over time.
Sometimes bluestone will have other cool tones such as notes of purple, and subtle color variations can really make the patio pop. The differences in color come from whichever minerals were present when the rock formed, and are naturally part of the stone.
The separate varieties sold around the globe come from specific regions in those countries or continents. For the United States, you can purchase either sandstone from New York or a type of limestone called Shenandoah Bluestone. The source for Shenandoah Bluestone is one of the largest in the world, at over 10,000 square feet.
Is Flagstone the Same as Bluestone?
This is a common question people have about bluestone. The truth is that bluestone can be a type of flagstone, but not all flagstone will be bluestone. Not even all bluestone will be flagstone.
The trick is to check how the rock is composed. Flagstone is made of sedimentary rocks in layers that can be broken into pieces. Sedimentary rock is formed by a bunch of smaller rocks, like sand and pebbles, amalgamate and form a larger stone.
To become flagstone, several different layers and types of sedimentary rock need to fuse on top of one another. Bluestone can end up as one of these layers, giving the flagstone distinct colored stripes.
Bluestone – Natural Cleft vs. Thermal Sawn
These terms don’t refer to the type of bluestone, so much as the texture of the rock face.
Natural Cleft
Natural cleft bluestone is split along natural seams in the rock when it is taken from a quarry. This gives it a rougher, more uneven texture which is beautiful and rustic. There is more of a texture on the face of the stone, and there are natural ridges and valleys that translate to a non-flat face.
Typically the ridges are only 1/4″ in height or so, but they do translate to a somewhat bumpy surface and can pose a mild irritant to getting that patio conversation set to look perfect.
The ridges may collect more debris, leaves, and the like than thermal sawn bluestone would, so it may require a bit more cleaning.
Natural cleft bluestone is a bit more rugged looking than thermal sawn and is usually a bit cheaper.
Thermal Sawn
Thermal sawn bluestone is manually cut to achieve a specific thickness and texture. People who use this variety will have a more uniform installation, as the ridges and valleys are cut off and evened to a flat plane.
Unlike natural cleft, thermal sawn also has the top smoothed down to create a slick, even surface, and would be much more like a traditional porcelain tile, as opposed to a bumpy natural slate tile.
Thermal sawn bluestone is typically a bit more expensive than natural cleft, due to the additional step of sawing the front to produce the flat surface.
It is also a bit more modern looking than natural cleft, but both varieties are quite beautiful.
Pros and Cons of Using Bluestone
In this section, we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of bluestone, when used in a patio.
Pros of Using Bluestone
Both varieties of bluestone in the United States are durable and considered some of the most attractive options available. Although the majority of it comes as rectangular pavers, we also know that many stores sell rougher varieties for a more natural appearance.
Both natural cleft and thermal sawn bluestone are naturally slip-resistant and are popular to use around fountains or pools. This is because the grains which make up the rock are angular and provide some grip.
Bluestone also works in all types of weather and doesn’t crack from snow and ice like other weaker versions of sandstone.
Cons of Using Bluestone
As with everything, there are some downsides to using bluestone.
We all know that walking on dark materials can burn your feet in the summer. After all, stuff like asphalt which is black or dark grey has been known to burn human feet and animal paws alike!
Bluestone, which ranges color from dark blue to grey, tends to get pretty hot pretty fast when exposed to bright sun.
While it can be good for pools, it does have some problems in areas exposed to a lot of sunlight.
Additionally, there is more maintenance needed for bluestone than some other paver materials such as concrete.
Bluestone is porous since it can be a type of sandstone, which means it will stain easily. It’s best to keep it away from materials like varnish, tar, or even drinks like juice.
Costs of a Bluestone Patio
Most bluestone pavers cost between $4 and $12 per square foot depending on the format of the stone, and the type of face it has. Ones that are not cut square – think like actual stones compared to ones cut into squares or other geometric shapes – are usually less expensive.
Thermal sawn pavers tend to run a little bit higher than natural cleft, hewing closer to that $12 per square foot cost (for materials only, of course).
An entire patio worth of stones can be bought relatively cheaply, usually between $200 and $800 for the materials without counting for labor costs. Otherwise, the full job can be complete for around $20 per square foot, though this can vary wildly by location.
Bluestone is scratch-resistant and shouldn’t chip or break during the installation process, so there shouldn’t be much waste or breakage.
Bluestone Maintenance and Care
Bluestone is a porous material, and there are some maintenance and care involved. Cleaning is pretty easy, but you should be careful to regularly seal your stone for optimal performance.
Cleaning Bluestone
Despite being porous, this rock is easy to clean. Most traditional stains from food or dirt can be removed by scrubbing the surface with water and dish soap weekly or biweekly. People who use this method should rinse the soap residue away when finished. A pressure washer can help in this task quite a bit.
Tougher stains like grease or oil are more difficult to eliminate. Most bluestone experts recommend mixing a gallon of water with ammonia or using a traditional cleaner that does not contain bleach. We know scrubbing isn’t fun, but ten minutes with one of these mixtures should get rid of any tough grease spots.
The final form of staining bluestone owners need to worry about is the buildup of lime and mineral deposits. These develop a few years after installation but are easy to eliminate. Simply mix baking soda and vinegar and scrub down the bluestone tiles until the white spots are gone.
Sealing Bluestone
To avoid too much cleaning, we recommend that bluestone owners see about resealing their rocks after a few years. Most bluestone comes installed with sealant, but it will fade away. Most construction companies or stone installers can reseal.
We quite like Stonetech’s Bulletproof Stone Sealer, as it is quite robust, and will last up to 3 years if used on exterior stone (5 years for interior applications).
- Advanced sealer, designed to provide maximum protection on nature stone...
- Preserves natural look of stone for up to 5 years in interior environments...
- Formulated with advanced, water based fluoropolymers
- Provides coverage for up to 900 sq. ft.
- Recommended surfaces include: honed or textured marble, granite, limestone,...
Last update on 2024-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Where to Get Bluestone?
It is possible to order bluestone pavers online, though in general we suggest going to your local nursery or landscape masonry yard and purchasing directly.
It’s helpful to see what you’re getting, as this is a natural stone that can have significant variation. And if you don’t like what you order online, well you’re not going to want to return a pallet of stone!
An Investment in Bluestone?
Despite being made from relatively weak rocks like sandstone or limestone, bluestone is pretty durable and should last for years if installed properly.
It’s also extremely attractive and slip-resistant, so anyone who installs it doesn’t have to worry as much about falling if it’s used to like a walkway or make a patio.
All in all, bluestone is one of the most beautiful patio materials available and is reasonably easy to install. Once in, it will last for decades, and it can be the base of your fantastic modern patio space.
So for those of you who are feeling blue, can cheer up with this addition to your patio!
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