Yorkstone also known as Yorkshire stone is a natural sandstone which is known widely for its high quality, durability and strength. Sandstone is known to be formed over 300 million years ago and consists of clay, quartz, mica, feldspar, silica and iron oxides.
Yorkstone has been extracted from West Yorkshire quarries since medieval times. This practice became more frequent and by the 18th century it had developed into a large stone industry.
History
Best known for its use as paving stones and house signs in old fashioned high streets across United Kingdom. Many people will recognise London as having traditional paving stones used from Yorkstone.
It has became a popular stone to use in these high streets as it was highly durable and with mortar packed alongside it, it proved to be a smooth surface making sure there was a reduced risk of accidents with horses and carts travelling through the high street all day. This popular choice of stone would also prove weather resistant and would never cause any pot holes.
Another early use of Yorkstone would be to create stone walls around Cathedrals, houses and churches. Yorkstone was extremely popular as it proved to be reliable and soon expanding cities and towns would use Yorkstone to build up their communities.
Nowadays most roads have been replaced with tarmac to help ease the roads with heavy vehicles such as lorries but we still use the Yorkstone cobble pavements in decorative usage such as garden features and driveway cobbles.
Common Usage
- Memorials stones
- House Signs
- Stepping
- Bollards
- Natural stone coping
- Setts and cobbles
- Tumbled setts
- Stone slips
- Roofing slates
- Bespoke stoneware
- Various garden features
- And lots more!
Today this high quality stone is also used in construction industry for use of house signs, footpaths, driveways, walls, patios, steps, garden ornaments, garden memorials and much more. Many people like its practicality alongside its appealing look.
Yorkstone is Flexible and Durable
Yorkstone comes in a variety of colours depending on the minerals within the stone and where it is quarried from. Usually the colour on the outside is red to brown whilst on the inside it is a sandy yellow colour. We tend to see the yellow colour in the paving stones as the stone has been cut and laid into place.
This stone does not require much maintenance to which is one of the reasons people choose this stone. This stone does not require cleaning to keep its durability in place, cleaning the stone is usually a cosmetic factor.
However Yorkstone can become slippery when it is dirty and algae can also form on top of it so a monthly clean may be required. You can keep on top of the algae with a weak bleach mixture with water. If the stone is very stained then a patio cleaner will be more suitable which you can hire one from a gardening centre or hire a business to keep on top of it.
