Side by side
| Porcelain | Indian sandstone | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Fired clay, pressed and kiln-fired, usually 20mm thick for outdoors | Quarried natural stone, riven (split) or sawn |
| Look | Even colour; can mimic stone, slate, wood or concrete | Natural variation between and within slabs |
| Water absorption | Very low | Porous |
| Cleaning | Wipes and washes easily | Weathers; stains and algae take hold more readily |
| Grip when wet | Depends on the surface finish; choose a textured outdoor grade | Riven surface gives natural texture; sawn and honed finishes are smoother |
| Laying | Needs a slurry primer, careful cutting with diamond blades, precise levels | Needs priming on the back, and thickness can vary on riven slabs |
| Repairs | Matching a discontinued range can be hard | Natural variation hides a replacement slab well |
Grip in a wet Stockton winter
Teesside patios spend a lot of the year damp, so slip resistance matters, especially on steps and around back doors. The Health and Safety Executive uses the pendulum test to assess slipperiness and, following the UK Slip Resistance Group, classes a pendulum test value (PTV) of 36 or more as low slip potential, 25 to 35 as moderate and 24 or below as high. Reputable outdoor porcelain is tested this way, so ask for the wet PTV figure, not just a marketing label like "anti-slip".
Riven sandstone has a naturally uneven surface that gives good grip when clean. Sawn and honed sandstone is smoother and closer to porcelain. Whatever the material, the RHS points out that algae and moss make any hard surface slippery, so keeping the surface clean is as important as the slab you choose.
Cleaning and ageing
This is where the two differ most.
- Porcelain absorbs very little water, so dirt sits on the surface and washes off. It is the better choice for gardens under trees, north-facing patios and walled gardens that see little sun, such as many of the older plots in Norton and Hartburn.
- Sandstone soaks up water, so it darkens when wet, grows algae and lichen more readily and can mark from leaves, rust and barbecue fat. Many owners like the way it mellows over time; others find the upkeep a chore. An impregnating sealer reduces staining but changes the look and needs renewing.
Which suits which Stockton home?
The British Geological Survey shows much of west Stockton on glacial till and parts of Norton and Billingham on glacial lake deposits, but the ground makes little difference to the choice of slab. The house and garden make far more.
- Victorian and Edwardian homes in Norton, Hartburn, Yarm and Eaglescliffe: sandstone, especially buff or grey riven stone, sits naturally beside old brick. In a conservation area, natural stone is also the safer choice if the patio can be seen from the street.
- 1930s to 1960s semis in Fairfield, Elm Tree and Billingham: either works. Porcelain gives a crisp, modern finish; sandstone gives warmth.
- Newer detached homes in Ingleby Barwick and Wynyard: large-format porcelain often matches anthracite window frames and bi-fold doors. A level threshold outside bi-folds needs careful drainage whichever slab you choose.
- Shaded or damp gardens anywhere: porcelain is the easier life.
Laying differences that affect your quote
Both materials need the same groundwork: dig out to firm ground, a geotextile membrane on clay, a compacted crushed-stone sub-base and a fall away from the house. The differences come at the top:
- Porcelain has a smooth, non-porous back, so it will not stick to mortar without a slurry primer. It is hard and brittle to cut, needs precise levels because it is flat and thin, and usually has narrower joints filled with a brush-in compound or grout.
- Sandstone also needs a primer on the back to stop it pulling away from the bed and to reduce staining from the mortar. Riven slabs vary in thickness, which takes more time to bed level.
Neither is a cheap option compared with concrete slabs. Our patio prices page explains what drives the cost, and our pages on porcelain patios and Indian sandstone patios go into each material in more detail.
Frost and durability
Good-quality porcelain absorbs so little water that freeze–thaw has very little to work on. Sandstone varies by quarry and grade; most Indian sandstone sold for patios copes with UK winters when it is properly bedded and drained, but softer or poorer stone can flake. In both cases, a patio that holds water in puddles or over a failed base suffers far more than one that sheds water quickly.
Questions people ask
Which is better for a patio, porcelain or sandstone?
Neither is better everywhere. Porcelain wins for low upkeep and shaded gardens; sandstone wins for a natural look beside older brick and for hiding wear. We bring samples so you can see both against your house.
What are the downsides of porcelain paving?
It needs careful laying with a primer and precise levels, cut edges can chip, and a smooth finish can be slippery in the wet. Choose a textured outdoor grade with a published wet pendulum test value.
What are the downsides of sandstone paving?
It is porous, so it darkens when wet, grows algae and lichen more readily and can stain. Riven slabs vary in thickness, which takes longer to lay.
Can you jet wash porcelain and sandstone?
Porcelain tolerates a pressure washer well, but keep the jet off the joints. Sandstone needs a wide fan nozzle, low pressure and the lance held back, or the surface and pointing can be damaged.
Sources: HSE: assessing the slip resistance of flooring; RHS: algae, lichens, liverworts and mosses on hard surfaces; planning.data.gov.uk: conservation areas; BGS Geology Viewer.