Pennsylvania bluestone is a dense, strong, fine-grained sandstone. Bluestone is quarried in northeastern United States, mostly in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. This material is ideal for decks and patios as it resists cracking and won’t discolor. Bluestone can be separated into a different variety of slabs, making it useful for other home details such as steps, walls, building facades, interior floors, and fireplaces. The texture is rough to provide traction in the rain, yet comfortable enough to lay on. Bluestone comes in a variety of colors due to the stone’s clay and minerals. These colors can vary containing shades of brown, green, blue, and sometimes lilac. Bluestone comes in two different textures: natural cleft or sawn thermal. Natural cleft surface presents the natural characteristics of the bluestone. Sawn thermal finish is when the bluestone is sawn out of the ground and split on visible seams. The texture is smooth and its thickness is approximately the same throughout. There are two patterns that are used for Pennsylvania bluestone. Ashlar pattern is a combination of squares, rectangles, and color variations. Fieldston pattern is irregular shapes together that are placed randomly.
Pennsylvania bluestone does not need to be sealed. A light powerwash on the lowest setting is all you would need if you wish to clean your bluestone. Efflorescence is a powdery white substance that can appear on the surface a few years after the bluestone is installed. It can occur by masonry maintenance products that might be used around your home. The cost of Pennsylvania bluestone can vary depending on the size of the area you wish to cover and the type of texture you choose.
