Kota Black Indian sandstone

1. What is Kota Black Indian sandstone?

Kota Black Indian sandstone is a particularly elegant type of Indian sandstone that’s noted for its striking dark colours, which range from deep, genuine black to charcoal greys and mid greys, with occasional subtle blue undertones.

The sophisticated and arresting appearance of Kota Black Indian sandstone makes it an brilliant choice for creating a sense of contrast in indoor and outdoor spaces including patios, pathways and driveways, and it lends itself especially well to contemporary settings. It turns a deep jet black when wet, allowing it to add a particularly lavish look to your garden or patio.

Kota Black sandstone has a naturally rough texture, but here at Bridge Street Stone we can also supply options with smooth sawn surfaces, or even hand chiselled designs. Its deep black colour is the result of naturally occurring geological phenomenons in the Indian city of Kota, Rajasthan, where the sandstone is quarried, and from which it takes its name.

2. Should you seal Kota Black sandstone?

At Bridge Street Stone, our experts always recommend sealing Kota Black sandstone because it’s a reliable way to protect it from fading, and ensure that it maintains its exquisite appearance for longer.

In fact, we’d recommend doing the same for all Indian paving stones, as Indian sandstone is porous by nature. Since the surface can be easily penetrated by moisture, it can be vulnerable to being marked or stained by liquid unless it’s been sealed in advance. We strongly recommend HG Impregnator as a standard treatment, as it provides effective and reliable protection against dirt or grease stains. Nexus colour enhancing sealer is another highly recommended option.

If you have any specific questions or doubts about sealing your paving stones, don’t hesitate to let us know, and one of our experts will be happy to provide you with more detailed information.

3. Why is Kota Black Indian sandstone so popular?

One of the reasons that Kota Black is such a popular choice is because it’s excellent for giving any property an incredibly striking and contemporary look. Its ability to turn jet black when wet makes it especially well suited to the mild and often damp climate we have here in the UK, making it a favourite of homeowners who want to give their property a unique appearance that gets heads turning.

The colours of Kota Black also weather beautifully over its lifetime, and under direct sunlight they can eventually shift to a sophisticated dark grey, its stark, dramatic appearance giving way to a wonderfully understated charm. The mid grey slabs in particular can effortlessly complement traditional and contemporary surroundings alike. However, it’s equally easy to preserve its original colour, as it’s normally just a case of carefully applying a sealer.

Kota Black also exhibits unique patterns and slight tonal differences, with no two slabs being exactly the same. That’s all part of its very distinctive appeal! And of course it shares the same set of core advantages that makes all other types of Indian sandstone so popular: it’s economical, affordable and great value. It’s also very hardwearing, and as long as it’s cared for properly it’ll be resistant to the elements all year round. What’s more, the almost endless array of laying patterns means that it provides means you’ve got plenty of freedom to exercise your own design creativity!

4. Pros and cons of Kota Black Indian sandstone:

Kota Black is just like all other types of Indian sandstone in that it offers a range of associated pros and cons. Its dramatic style is one of its most obvious assets, and happily it has very few drawbacks.

Pros

• It’s durable and long lasting, capable of withstanding harsher elements like rain and frost all year round, while steadily adding value to your property over its lifetime.
• Its striking, sophisticated appearance, which can be used to create a variety of visually stunning designs and effects.
• It can be arranged into a wide variety of patterns and designs, so you can match it to the aesthetics of your property, or use its arresting shade to transform the appearance of your space entirely.
• It’s very easy to maintain. Once it’s been sealed, it’s simple and easy to remove any dirt and grime from Kota Black Indian sandstones.
• It’s eco friendly, since there are fewer damaging chemicals involved in the manufacturing process. It can also be easily recycled at the end of its lifespan (just don’t forget to ensure that yours are ethically sourced, as all of ours is here at Bridge Street Stone!)

Cons

• It’s porous, which can make it vulnerable to stains and marks from liquids, bacteria or mould. Thankfully, the simple act of sealing it in advance can protect your Kota Black sandstone from aesthetic damage.
• It’s naturally rough. Indian sandstone is 100% natural, so if it’s not been machined smooth then you may find it’s a little rough on bare feet.
• It can be marked. Indian sandstone is a relatively soft type of stone, so it can be vulnerable to damage from sharp impacts. Dropping heavy objects like outdoor furniture or barbecue grills on it can result in marks or scratches. However, as long as care is taken around it, you shouldn’t have to concern yourself with it too much.