Indian sandstone vs Porcelain

Nov 18, 2025

It’s the age-old struggle: do you love paving slabs with natural character, but can’t deal with the hassle of high-maintenance upkeep?

Indian sandstone slabs offer warm, varied tones and riven textures that weather into a unique patina because it’s a quarried stone with natural colour variation and higher porosity. By contrast, porcelain is a kiln-fired, engineered slab that’s calibrated for consistency.

Ovation Landscaping’s porcelain paving slabs come with anti-slip surface options and, thanks to very low water absorption (less than 0.5%), can withstand algae, stains and frost. For UK spaces, it can be notably lower maintenance.

So, Indian sandstone vs. porcelain: which should you choose for your landscaping project? It all depends on appearance, practical considerations (e.g., porosity, maintenance), and safety concerns, such as slip resistance. For more, stay with Ovation Landscaping.

A general overview

Before we dive into the full guide, here’s a quick side-by-side to help you scan the essentials.

We’ve distilled the headline differences between natural Indian sandstone and engineered porcelain across origin, appearance, porosity, maintenance, durability, cost and installation.

Features	Indian Sandstone	Porcelain
Origin	Natural stone quarried in India – unique character.	Man-made (clays, sands, minerals) kiln-fired to a dense slab.
Appearance	Warm, organic variation (e.g., Beige, Brown, Buff); tones may deepen over time.	Very consistent – a wide range of styles (stone/wood/concrete effects).
Porosity	Porous; can absorb moisture and stain if unsealed (approximately 1.7%).	Very low absorption (often <0.5%); resists staining, mould and algae.
Maintenance	May benefit from sealing; periodic reseal can prevent stains/moss from leaving permanent marks.	Fit-and-forget; usually no sealing unless textured; simple wipe/brush to clean.
Durability	Strong and can last decades when laid and well-maintained.	Engineered to be ultra-hardwearing, resistant to water/frost/scratching.
Cost	Generally, it has a lower purchase cost per m² than porcelain.	Typically, higher per m², though low upkeep can balance lifetime costs.
Installation	Easier to cut and bed with traditional methods.	Denser and harder to cut; may need a slurry/primer bond.
Surface feel (slip-resistance)	Naturally grippy riven textures; can become slippery if smooth or unsealed.	Manufactured anti-slip textures available.

What they are (and where they come from)

Now that you’ve seen Indian sandstone vs porcelain at a glance, it’s time to learn more about the materials themselves, where they come from, and the processes involved in their creation.

Indian sandstone

A true natural stone, Indian sandstone is quarried from sedimentary rock beds in India and sawn into paving slabs. As it’s formed geologically rather than manufactured, each piece carries its own tonal shifts, veining and occasional fossils!

The natural composition of sandstone means it often has a higher porosity than engineered tiles, so the slabs can absorb moisture unless sealed.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a man-made product. Manufacturers press fine clays, sands and other minerals and fire them at very high temperatures to create dense, vitrified slabs.

The process ensures that each slab has consistent dimensions, tightly controlled colours, and surface textures (including anti-slip finishes aimed at British wet-weather use).

Thanks to their incredibly low water absorption, porcelain slabs are typically lower-maintenance than sandstone once installed.

Appearance & design styles

When it comes to the look, Indian sandstone vs porcelain offer very different designs.

While both products are used in the same kinds of outdoor, home improvement projects, the final result is contingent on the effect you want to create.

Sandstone

Indian sandstone is organic – it’s varied, with tonal shifts, veining, and sometimes banding. Sandstone is often the main choice for rustic, cottage or period schemes because every slab is slightly different. Over time, as the stone weathers, the colours should gently deepen.

If you want to show that variety on a patio, we’ve got some great examples. Generate warmth with the pink-to-rust palette of our Modak Sandstone, or deliver a moody, slate-like look with Black Sandstone.

For variation over strict uniformity, sandstone is the one to beat.

Porcelain

Porcelain, on the other hand, is engineered for consistency.

Manufacturers have tight control over colour, edges and repeatable finishes (often at a uniform 20 mm thickness). This consistency isn’t restrictive: it actually unlocks a broader style palette, including quartz, stone and concrete effects.

It’s a natural fit for outdoor kitchens or low-maintenance family patios. In Ovation’s range, you can shop for options like our Arke Cappuccino slabs, which offer continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces with their wood-effect.

Or, for more minimalist schemes, try out our Everyday Porcelain range. It’s a clean, architectural base that’s great for garden paths.

Porosity, water absorption & UK weather performance

When we’re talking about Indian sandstone vs porcelain in terms of weather performance, the two behave very differently in Britain’s wet, freeze–thaw climate because their ability to absorb water isn’t the same.

Sandstone is naturally porous, so, unless sealed, it will absorb rain and spills, potentially leaving unsightly stains. Porcelain is vitrified, which means it has a very low rate of water absorption and will largely resist moisture ingress.

But what does that mean for real-world applications?

In rain and shade: Routine cleaning for porcelain exposed to rain is as simple as brushing and washing to remove accumulated grime. Sandstone can darken and spot in damp corners if left unsealed.

In winter freeze–thaw: Again, as porcelain has virtually no moisture uptake, it’s highly resistant to frost damage. To avoid sitting in or around sandstone for too long, your slabs would benefit from sealing and good drainage.

By the hose/BBQ/outdoor kitchen: Oils and spills are easier to wipe away from porcelain slabs, as they’re much less likely to penetrate the surface. Sandstone copes well when maintained, but sealing will significantly reduce the risk of deep-set staining.

The consensus is that porcelain is the preferred choice for those who want a water-resistant, low-maintenance surface. Opt for Indian sandstone if you’re happy to seal and clean it periodically to keep moisture at bay.

Durability, scratch resistance & lifespan

In the Indian sandstone vs porcelain debate, there’s no denying that both materials are engineered to be tough.

Porcelain’s high-temperature vitrification makes slabs dense and hard. It can resist heavy impacts and surface marking from dragging chairs, kids’ scooters or the chaos of BBQ zones.

Indian sandstone is a softer, natural stone, so it’s more susceptible to surface scratching and weathering than porcelain. That doesn’t mean it’s not durable, however: these slabs can last for decades when properly laid and cared for.

With sensible maintenance (always including sealing), sandstone patios still have a 20-year lifespan.

Shop for Indian sandstone and porcelain paving slabs with Ovation Landscaping!

So, Indian sandstone vs porcelain: where do you land in the debate?

It’s all a matter of personal preference. Luckily, we stock both options at Ovation Landscaping! Our collections of UK-ready Indian sandstone and porcelain slabs are designed specifically for outdoor paving projects (domestic and commercial).

Our standard delivery covers local postcodes, with nationwide delivery available via separate haulage quotations.