Large square stone pavers - supplier?

[Brasil]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a supplier of pavers in Melbourne for a water feature. I was thinking of using sandstone or terracotta pavers approx 400x400x40mm deep. I have two questions - firstly, would this work or would the pavers crack or discolour? They would be exposed to all the elements (including full sun for several hours a day).

And secondly can anyone recommend a supplier of these in Melbourne (preferably fairly central)? I only need four.

Thanks for any advice!

[Black Cat]

Are they going in the water feature or beside it? Will they be subject to foot traffic or vehicular traffic or no traffic at all? What do you plan to bed them on?

As for discolouring - sandstone does weather, being a natural material. So you will lose that lovely golden colour over time and it will go greyish yellow instead (assuming it is yellow stone, red will do much the same only it will be greyish red ...). Terracotta, if unsealed, will accumulate lichen and moss as it ages - all these are really attractive finishes unless you are going really modern in your 'look'.

[Brasil]

Are they going in the water feature or beside it? Will they be subject to foot traffic or vehicular traffic or no traffic at all? What do you plan to bed them on?

As for discolouring - sandstone does weather, being a natural material. So you will lose that lovely golden colour over time and it will go greyish yellow instead (assuming it is yellow stone, red will do much the same only it will be greyish red ...). Terracotta, if unsealed, will accumulate lichen and moss as it ages - all these are really attractive finishes unless you are going really modern in your 'look'.

No traffic, they're in the garden bed. They'll actually be part of the water feature, the plan is for them to sit on "something" (not sure what, a sheet of fibro perhaps?). The fountainy bit will sit on top and the water will run down and over the pavers (and into channels between the pavers too) and into the reservoir below. That's the plan anyway :) An aged look is perfect for what I'm after, so it won't matter to me that the stone ages gracefully. It would matter though if it fell apart/cracked etc.

[jamc0984]

Can't comment on what to lay on, but i would use an imported sandstone rather then a local as imported are generally much more dense and hold up to constant moisture far better.

Both concrete and local sandstone will probably form moss etc a lot faster. You can seal the stone though to prevent this. But its not a "forever" fix, and it will need to be sealed every year or so.

[Brasil]

Can't comment on what to lay on, but i would use an imported sandstone rather then a local as imported are generally much more dense and hold up to constant moisture far better.

Both concrete and local sandstone will probably form moss etc a lot faster. You can seal the stone though to prevent this. But its not a "forever" fix, and it will need to be sealed every year or so.

Thanks for your advice. I'll start hunting for a supplier.