Usages of Sandstone

Usages of Sandstone:
Sandstone has been used as a building material for since building has stated. The Sandstone is a sedimentary stone composed of sand sized grains of quartz that have been cemented together. It is typically formed when quartzitic stones are eroded and re deposited by either wind or water. Ocean beaches, river beds and sand dunes all eventually become sandstone. As with most types of stone, sandstone comes in a wide range of hardness, compactness, and grain cementing characteristics. Generally speaking, a soft, loosely cemented sandstone are not good weathering resistant but hard, dense tightly cemented sandstone will hold up to the elements for a long long time. It is mainly found in medium-light gray but the color of freshly broken surfaces of the sandstone varies from white through shades of tan and reddish brown.
Features & Characteristics of Sandstone:
* Sandstone belongs to the sedimentary group of stones
* Consists of sheets of stone deposited one atop another under water.
* Very porous (0.5-35.0) and absorbent (0.2-9.0) and water will penetrate it easily. Oils and other liquids are also absorbed.
* Color light gray brown, red, purple, and pink sandstones are commonly called brownstone.
* Available in a variety of surface textures and earth-toned colors.
* Weathering depends on the type of cementing material and the presence of silt. Sandstone, cemented with silica and has high quartz content can hold the weathering for a long time.
Problems of using Sandstone:
Problems may be classified into two broad categories:
1) Natural or inherent problems based on the characteristics of the material and the conditions of the exposure
2) Vandalism and human- induced problems.

Problems caused by nature:
i) Moisture problems - evident in sandstone as spalling, erosion, cracking, flaking and deteriorated mortar joints.
ii) Face-bedding may cause loss of large areas of stone along the bedding planes
iii) Air-borne chemicals mar cause swelling and rupturing of the thin skin.
iv) Sharp impact or stresses may cause clear break in the stone.
Problems induced by human:
1. Stone laid with its layers parallel to the wall plane rather than perpendicular to the wall plane will cause the stone to deteriorate.
2. Painting over a deteriorated stone surface may lead to more serious moisture-related problems.
3. Applying a inappropriate cement patch over deteriorated surface areas may cause visual disparity between the two materials.
Due to hign porosity and absorbent nature of sandstone, it is recommended that you should threat it with water/soil or oil repellent.