best limestone for exterior paving

[fhueston]

What do you guys think is the best limestone for exterior pavers in southern california. One that will hold up to commercial traffic.

[cx]

Best of my knowledge there is only one manufacturer of limestone on this planet, Fred. This a trick question?

[tilemanct]

Um....None

[speed51133]

https://www.indianalimestonecompany....estone-pavers/

[Davy]

4 years ago I tore out about a thousand sq ft of Limestone on a front porch. I tiled the showers and inside floors back in 95 and that's when they had the limestone installed. So it lasted 20 years before starting to deteriorate and spall pretty bad although it was probably starting to deteriorate several years before we tore it out. It might last longer in California's climate, don't know.

[speed51133]

Acidic rain can slowly deteriorate limestone. It is ph sensitive. This takes decades, if not centuries though.

Be careful with any chemical cleaners.

[Trask]

Hey Fred ,

As you are aware, limestone runs a wide spectrum on various geological scales and classifications ; but generally speaking- it has been used continuously for pavements and architectural details for thousands of years with good success.
It is sensitive to acids and mechanical degradation- and like marble it can be
Coated , Vitrified , honed , antiqued, polished and restored when any or all aforementioned finishes fail . It can also be left to its own devices and allowed to
Patina ... thousands of ruins remain the world over to testify that it works as an exterior stone in every imaginable application .
Domestically, Indiana Limestone is the natural choice many specifiers turn to ...I also see thermal finished Bluestone as an interesting and perhaps more durable alternative.

Like CX... I’m curious too : is this a trick question ?😉

[Dave Gobis]

I have some dolomite limestone exterior that sits under snow for 4-5 months a year. Get some occasional minor scaling but for the most part it has held up well. Not a good choice for pool decks though. Did one of them and it was trash in 5-6 years.

[fhueston]

Thanks guys

No not a trick questions. and Yes I am aware that there are different properties of various limestones. Have seen my share but as a stone inspector I get calls for failures not successes..LOL Just curious what you guys see out there for a good choice.

[speed51133]

pools use all sorts of chemicals. many of which have a wide range of PH.

that is a bad combination for limestone.

[fhueston]

not for a pool but an outside office plaza

[Dave Gobis]

By the way it was flamed limestone. It wouldn't scare me but I know the source. Would feel differently if I didn't.