Bluestone Pavers: which kind is right for your home?
In Australia, the term 'bluestone' is used to refer to three slightly different building materials, each of which can be used to create a beautiful stone-floored kitchen or stone-slabbed patio space. A bluestone floor is the perfect way to build a little bit of Australian heritage right into the very fabric of your home; it's instantly recognisable as a local building material and has a long history across several states. So which of the various bluestones is the right choice for your new flooring?
Adelaide Bluestone
Adelaide bluestone is a gorgeous, multi-tonal slate most valued for its beautiful mineralisations. The stone itself is a fairly unremarkable beige on the inside, but the exterior carries stunning metallic and mineral deposits that lend it a huge variety of tones, shades and textures. Some of these oxidise and deepen over time, meaning that this variety of bluestone ages beautifully. It's best used in lower-traffic areas; it makes a gorgeous garden paving slab, especially in places that get a lot of rain (the water really brings out the colours!), or a perfect decorative border or inlay to an indoor stone floor. It's not quite as durable as some options, however, so high-traffic areas like entryways or kitchens might not showcase it to its best standard.
Victorian Bluestone
The iconic Victorian bluestone is a deep grey basalt, and it's one of Victoria's most visually impactful exports. Many of the state's most immediately recognisable buildings are made of it, and it was used to construct the gorgeous 19th-century cobblestone lanes found in and around Melbourne. It's available for domestic use as either cobblestone (best kept outdoors) or slabs (which can be installed indoors as well). It's extremely hard-wearing, so if you need a stone floor that will last for generations this is the best choice for sure! Its neutral tones mean it pairs well with feature elements like tiles and mosaics, too.
Tasmanian Bluestone
Dolerite deposits are a common, striking addition to some of the stunning wild landscapes across Tasmania. Also known as 'Tasmanian bluestone', dolerite has a variety of uses as a building material--including being a popular paving slab or stone floor choice in residential settings. It's usually the most affordable of the various Australian bluestone varieties, and generally more hard-wearing and durable than slate. It's a good 'in-between' choice for Australian bluestone and is a highly versatile material that works as well indoors as out.