A timeless natural material Bluestone Melbourne is always a fashionable construction material. Its durability, aesthetic appeal and easy maintenance make it the choicest material for paving elegant areas that need a degree of sophistication. Paving and walling of walkways and driveways are ideally done with  this natural stone as it is very hard can  withstand the  rough shod treatment to which it may be subjected. It ability to cope with salinity and its non slip characteristics make it the most obvious choice for pool coping and edging. Using bluestone in an entry porch or a hotel foyer is quite natural considering its versatile properties and stunning looks.

Add aesthetical value with Bluestone

You can add great aesthetical value to the surroundings of your house by using Bluestone Melbourne or Australian Bluestone as it is also known. Paving even small space around your house can enhance the beauty of the place tremendously. But choosing the right material for pavers can further add elegance and style to the already beautiful surrounding. With its natural looks and wide array of patterns and colors you can source this from any Bluestone supplier in Melbourne. 

Getting it from the right source

The next question that will arise in your mind is about the source of the Bluestone that you would be using. Bluestone is available in Australia, where it is quarried and also it can be made available from the Asian countries like China and Vietnam, with China being a leading player in terms of quality and price. Although Australian Bluestone costs more than the Asian supplies the following are its advantages:

·         The color remains unchanged for longer period as the iron pyrite content in Australian Bluestone is lower than the stones of Asian origin.

·         The blue and grey shades of colour are unique to the Australian stone and are the true representative color of Bluestone. So, if you want to maintain the originality, the Australian stone is the best bet.

·         The quality of the stone has earned a good reputation across the world.

 Judging the quality

Regardless of the source, the qualities of Bluestone are best defined by its colour, thickness, finish and the holes that run through many bluestones and are termed as Cat’s Paw.

Colour – Being a natural product, the colour of Bluestone varies from place to place. The typical combination of blue and grey shades that has become the representative colour of this natural stone is the most expensive variety.

Thickness – The durability of the stone is determined by its thickness. The maximum thickness of 20-30 mm is preferred for outdoor paving as it can withstand wear and tear. The thinner varieties can be used at other places, preferably indoors.

Finish- Honed and Sawn are the two types of finishes for Bluestone. The honed finish gives a smooth surface and it brings out the darker colouring. This can be given a polished or semi polished look. The surface of sawn stone is rough and known for its non slip property.

Cat’s Paw - There are many bluestone tiles that have holes running through them known as cat’s paw and is liked by many. Tiles without this feature will either be compacted to perfection or may have a number of tiny holes.

It should now be easy for you to decide the kind of Bluestone that is right for you.

About the author – Malcom Foran is an architect par excellence having used Bluestone Melbourne in almost all of his prestigious projects. His extensive knowledge comes handy for any Bluestone supplier in Melbourne, who gets their products endorsed by him for quality.