Practical guides
Choosing stone for outdoors
Start with the setting: pedestrian paths, driveways and terraces have different needs. Request test results for frost, absorption, flexural strength and slip behaviour of the chosen finish. Plan drainage, slopes, joints and base construction with your installer. A stone name alone does not establish suitability.
What to check before choosing
- Petrographic identification and quarry
- Size, nominal thickness and tolerances
- Declared water absorption and density
- Flexural strength and intended loading
- Frost resistance for the actual exposure
- Slip behaviour of the finish in use
Properties vary by quarry, batch, thickness and finish. Ask for product-specific test results for frost, loads and slip resistance.
Source: Natural Stone Institute · Pietrarredo