Limestone Paving - Unique, Beautiful, Versatile

Limestone paving slabs are a timeless and versatile option for enhancing outdoor spaces, combining natural beauty with practicality. Our limestone paving collection offers a range of colours, finishes, and sizes, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your garden, patio, or driveway. Whether you prefer the warming, rustic tones of Antique Yellow or the sleek, striking elegance of Midnight Black, our limestone paving options cater to both traditional and contemporary designs.

A garden designer's favourite, our riven (naturally split) limestone paving slabs offer a beautiful, and cost-effective solution. Having a softer riven finish than Indian Sandstone, riven limestone offers a premium finish at a more affordable price. Kota Blue Limestone, with its consistent colouring, is at home in modern gardens, as well as more traditional schemes. Kota Brown Limestone has gentle colour variation and is supplied in project packs (an equal mix of four sizes) lending itself to being laid in a traditional '4 Flag Random Pattern'. Designers sometimes use Kota Brown Limestone as a more affordable alternative to the prestigious, but costly, Yorkstone.

Sawn Limestone options include our ever-popular Jura Beige, which adds a smooth, clean, prestigious feel to modern garden designs, while Egyptian Beige offers a similar finish, at a more affordable price point.

Grey Limestone is a timeless, versatile material that offers a choice of different surface finishes and textures. From the cool modernity of Jura Grey Limestone, to the consistent gunmetal tones of Graphite Grey Limestone. A recent addition to our paving collection, Antique Grey Limestone adds further rustic choice, with consistent colouring, and a charming tumbled edge.

London Stone offer an extensive range of steps and coping stone options across the entirety of our limestone paving collection, all available off-the-shelf. This enables a cohesive design solution that will give you a stunning end result.

Why Choose Limestone Paving?

1. Aesthetic Appeal:

Limestone paving slabs boast a unique aesthetic that adds elegance to any outdoor space. Its natural veining and subtle colour variation create a sophisticated look, while the naturally smooth texture provides a refined finish. The versatility of limestone allows it to complement various architectural styles, from rustic cottages to modern homes.

2. Durability:

Limestone is renowned for its durability and ability to withstand the elements. It is a dense, hard-wearing stone that can handle high foot traffic and outdoor conditions, making it an ideal choice for patios, pathways, driveways, and family gardens. With proper care, limestone paving slabs will last for decades, maintaining their beauty and functionality.

3. Versatility:

Available in a range of colours and finishes, limestone paving can be used in various landscaping projects. Whether you're designing a cosy garden path, a spacious patio, or a welcoming driveway, limestone offers options to suit every need.

4. Easy Maintenance:

Limestone paving is relatively easy to maintain. Periodic cleaning will help preserve its appearance and protect it from staining and weathering. Unlike some other natural stones, limestone does not require intensive upkeep, making it a practical choice for busy homeowners. Acidic cleaning products should never be used on any limestone, as they react with the stone and cause permanent, unsightly damage. We recommend using a proprietary cleaner that is safe for limestone.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

1. Proper Installation:

To ensure the longevity and performance of limestone paving, proper installation is crucial. This involves preparing a stable base, using the right mortar mix, and ensuring adequate drainage. Hiring a professional installer can help achieve the best results and prevent common issues such as uneven settling or poor water runoff.

We've put together this helpful installation playlist to give you all the information you need when it comes to laying paving slabs, drainage, and steps and copings.

2. Sealing:

Due to its naturally tight grain, sealing riven limestone paving slabs isn't essential to protect it from stains, moisture, and weathering. We do recommend sealing our sawn limestone slabs though, as they're more porous, and lighter in colour. A high-quality impregnating sealant like Dry Treat Stainproof, provides a barrier against contaminants, and assists you with ongoing maintenance. London Stone offers a pre-sealing service, which gives you peace of mind that the stone has been treated prior to being laid.

3. Cleaning:

Regular cleaning helps maintain the appearance of limestone paving. Use a mild, pH-neutral cleaner to avoid damaging the stone. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners, as they can cause etching and discoloration. For stubborn stains, a stone-specific cleaner may be necessary.

4. Pointing & Jointing

Many of our limestones are supplied with a sawn edge, meaning that you can lay the material with a joint as narrow as 5mm, allowing for a more modern finish. For paving slabs with a hand-cut edge, a minimum joint width of 10mm is recommended, due to dimensional tolerances.

Read more about which type of pointing suits your paving, style, and budget the best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is limestone paving suitable for driveways?

Yes, most of our limestone paving is suitable for driveways due to its durability and strength. It can handle the weight of vehicles and the wear and tear of regular use. Ensure proper installation and sealing for optimal performance.

2. Does limestone paving fade over time?

Limestone can weather to a slightly lighter colour shade over time. To maintain the 'just laid' colour of limestone, using a colour-enhancing sealant can help preserve its colour and prevent fading. Midnight Black Limestone weathers at a more significant rate, and if un-enhanced will turn from a true black colour into a charcoal grey within 12-18 months of being laid outdoors. Read more about how best to maintain Midnight Black Limestone.

3. Can limestone paving be used around swimming pools?

Limestone paving is a beautiful and robust material to use around swimming pools, but it's important to consider slip-resistance to ensure safety. Although all our paving slabs pass slip-rating tests to ensure safety, sawn limestones are smoother than riven materials, meaning that they may not be the best choice for pool surrounds. Sealing the stone can protect it from pool chemicals and moisture, helping to maintain its integrity and appearance.

4. How do I prevent algae and moss on limestone paving?

To prevent algae and moss growth, ensure good drainage and avoid water pooling on the paving. Regular cleaning and using a suitable stone cleaner can help keep the surface free from organic growth. Trimming nearby plants and ensuring adequate sunlight can also reduce moisture accumulation.

5. Is your limestone ethically sourced?

Our Riven Limestone is sourced from Rajasthan, India, and London Stone takes extensive measures to ensure that all our materials are sourced responsibly and ethically, adhering to strict standards and supporting projects aimed at enhancing the lives of those within our supply chains.

Learn more about London Stone's ethical sourcing of Indian Limestone here.

Our dedication to quality is evident in every slab, which is precision-cut and calibrated to ensure uniform thickness and ease of installation.

Limestone Paving — In Summary

Limestone paving is a versatile and elegant choice for enhancing outdoor spaces. Its natural beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance make it a popular option for patios, pathways, driveways, and more. With a variety of colours and finishes, limestone can complement any design style, adding value and aesthetic appeal to your property. Visit one of London Stone's nationwide showrooms to find the perfect limestone paving for your next landscaping project.