Is Bluestone harder than granite?

Asked by: Barry Moss

While it’s a straightforward question, there is no real straightforward answer. Granite and Bluestone are both equally good, however, they do have slight differences. Here’s a quick summary of the two: Granite is (generally) harder wearing, however, both stones are renowned for their durability and strength.

How strong is bluestone?

Bluestone is a very strong stone with a hardness of six on the Mohs scale. This is harder than marble at five and softer than granite at seven, so it will not scratch or chip easily like some other stones might. It also has a very high compressive strength, so it won’t crack under pressure.

How long will bluestone last?

decades

When installed properly and sealed for protection, homeowners can expect bluestone to last for decades. Ideal for high traffic applications and practical for patios and pool decks, bluestone provides an alternative to flagstone or other types of natural and fabricated paving stone.

Why is bluestone so popular?

Today, bluestone remains a popular choice and is one of the most abundant American natural stones. Patios, stair treads, stone walls, and pool coping are common uses of bluestone. In part, bluestone remains in demand because of its versatility.

Is bluestone hard to clean?

Bluestone is not very porous, a feature which makes it is less likely to absorb oil and stain. It is also water resistant, perfect for avoiding problems with mold and mildew. These traits make bluestone extremely durable and easy to clean.

What is the difference between bluestone and Granite?

Bluestone is more porous and may require more cleaning, whereas Granite usually requires less maintenance. Granite pavers come in hundreds of different colours. Bluestone pavers, typically, only comes in shades of blue and grey.

Is Granite cheaper than bluestone?

Bluestone pavers cost between $4 and $9 per square foot, while granite tile ranges between $5 and $15 per square foot. Both are common types of natural stone for outdoor patios.

Is blue stone hard?

Bluestone is very hard and therefore difficult to work, so it was predominantly used for warehouses, miscellaneous walls, and the foundations of buildings.

Why is my bluestone peeling?

Bluestone Tends to Flake



If water infiltrates the stone – again, if the stone is left unsealed – the unsealed stone may flake as part of a natural weathering and erosion process.

Should blue stone be sealed?

The importance of properly sealing your bluestone should never be overlooked during the installation process. You must seal the bluestones to prevent water damage after exposure to moisture in order to properly protect your new investment.

Why does bluestone turn orange?

Bluestone is classified as a flagstone, which means that it will split along flat planes. These splits occur along shale-rich layers. Shale contains iron sulfite or pyrite. Pyrite reacts with acids, causing the stone to turn orange.

Is bluestone hot to walk on?

A Comfortable Surface for Bare Feet



One major challenge with using bluestone for a pool deck is that it tends to get hot. It isn’t just the stone’s dark color that contributes to the retention of heat, it’s something known as specific heat – some materials absorb and retain heat better, and bluestone is one of them.

How thick should patio bluestone be?

The wet setting application, you will want 1” material. This thickness has less variation within and between pieces making it easier to compensate for those differences in the mortar base. Thermal flagstone is cut to a nearly exact thickness, usually 1” or 1 ½”. For dry setting, use 1 ½”.

Are there different grades of bluestone?

There's two basic texture types in bluestone. There's natural cleft which we're looking at right now in which there's a slightly rough finish. And you can see some of the finish.

Is blue stone heat resistant?

Like other types of flagstone, bluestone is naturally heat-resistant and slip-resistant.