Kandla Grey Paving: The UK's Most Popular Patio Stone
Kandla Grey is the UK's bestselling paving colour — a warm silver-grey natural stone quarried in the Kandla region of Rajasthan, India. It's available as natural sandstone (riven or sawn finish, from £20/m²) and as porcelain (manufactured to replicate the colour, from £21.11/m²). The neutral grey tone works with virtually every house style, garden design, and planting scheme, which is why it dominates UK patio sales.
Over 60% of the paving we sell is Kandla Grey — in sandstone, porcelain, or both on the same project. It's the colour that landscapers default to, homeowners search for first, and architects specify most often. But "Kandla Grey" covers multiple products with different finishes, sizes, and performance characteristics. This guide helps you choose the right one.
What is Kandla Grey?
Kandla Grey is a natural sandstone quarried near the town of Kandla in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. The stone is approximately 150 million years old — formed from compressed sand layers beneath an ancient seabed. The grey colour comes from the mineral composition of the sediment: fine quartz grains with traces of feldspar and mica that give the surface its characteristic warm silver tone.
Unlike manufactured grey products, Kandla Grey sandstone varies naturally. Each slab has a slightly different shade — some leaning cooler blue-grey, others warmer brown-grey. When laid together across a patio, this subtle variation creates depth and visual richness that uniform materials can't replicate. It's this natural character that makes Kandla Grey the preferred choice for both contemporary and traditional UK gardens.
The name "Kandla Grey" is also used for porcelain paving that replicates the colour. Kandla Grey porcelain is factory-made to match the tone but with uniform colour across every slab. Both versions are in our range — the choice depends on whether you prioritise natural character or zero maintenance.
Kandla Grey Sandstone vs Kandla Grey Porcelain
| Feature | Kandla Grey Sandstone | Kandla Grey Porcelain |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural quarried stone | Factory-made ceramic |
| Colour variation | Every slab unique | Consistent across all slabs |
| Finishes | Riven (textured) or Sawn (smooth) | Textured (stone-effect) or Smooth |
| Maintenance | Sealing recommended, annual clean | None — ever |
| Stain resistance | Porous — stains can penetrate | Non-porous — stains wipe off |
| Summer heat | Stays cooler (35-40°C) | Gets hotter (42-48°C) |
| Anti-slip | Naturally non-slip (riven) | R11 rated |
| Starting price | From £20/m² | From £21.11/m² |
Choose sandstone if: you want natural character, warmth, and colour variation. Every patio looks unique. Riven sandstone stays cooler barefoot in summer and is easier to cut for DIY installation.
Choose porcelain if: you want zero maintenance and stain resistance. Ideal near barbecues, dining areas, and anywhere food and drink spills are likely. Consistent colour suits contemporary, precision-led designs.
Use both: the smartest approach for larger gardens. Porcelain near the house (stain-proof for dining and cooking zones) with sandstone further out in the sun-exposed lounging area (cooler barefoot). Sandstone setts as the border between zones. Read our full sandstone vs porcelain comparison.
Available sizes
Kandla Grey Sandstone
Riven (textured) finish:
• 900×600mm — most popular, contemporary feel
• 600×600mm — traditional square format, best value
• Patio Pack (mixed sizes) — random pattern, cottage character
Sawn and honed (smooth) finish:
• 900×600mm — sleek, contemporary
• 600×600mm — clean square format
• 1200×600mm — large format, premium minimal look
• Patio Pack — mixed sizes, smooth finish
Read our riven vs sawn comparison to decide which finish suits your project.
Kandla Grey Porcelain
• 900×600mm 20mm — most popular porcelain format
• 600×600mm 20mm — square format
• 1200×600mm 20mm — large format premium
• Smooth finish 900×600mm — polished surface variant
• Edging planks 900×200mm — border pieces
What does Kandla Grey look like wet vs dry?
This is one of the most common questions we get — and one that catches people out if they only see the stone in photos.
Dry: light silver-grey with warm undertones. Some slabs lean slightly blue-grey, others slightly brown-grey. The overall effect is a soft, neutral grey that changes subtly through the day as the light shifts.
Wet: darkens significantly — closer to a charcoal grey. The colour variation becomes more pronounced, with the warmer and cooler tones in each slab standing out more visibly. After rain, a Kandla Grey patio looks noticeably darker and richer than in dry conditions.
Sealed: a colour-enhancing sealer deepens the wet-look appearance permanently. A clear impregnating sealer preserves the dry appearance while adding stain protection. Read our sealing guide for the difference between sealer types.
Porcelain: Kandla Grey porcelain doesn't change when wet — the non-porous surface repels water, so the colour stays consistent in all conditions. This is an advantage for some (predictable appearance) and a disadvantage for others (less natural character).
We always recommend ordering a sample — leave it in your garden for a few days and see it in sun, shade, wet, and dry before ordering.
What colours work with Kandla Grey?
Kandla Grey's neutral tone is its biggest design advantage — it complements almost everything:
Edging and borders: Anthracite Black porcelain planks create the most popular combination — dark frame around a lighter patio. Silver Grey granite setts also work beautifully as a natural stone border.
House colour: grey renders, white renders, red brick, London stock brick, yellow stone, timber cladding — Kandla Grey sits comfortably next to all of them. The only pairing that can feel flat is grey paving against grey render with no contrast — add dark edging or green planting to break it up.
Planting: the silver-grey tone makes green foliage pop. Lavender, ornamental grasses, box hedging, and ferns all look exceptional against Kandla Grey. White-flowering plants (hydrangeas, roses) create a clean, contemporary palette.
Furniture: dark grey or black metal furniture (the most popular outdoor furniture colour in the UK) pairs perfectly. Warm wood tones (teak, acacia) create an attractive contrast. White furniture works but can feel clinical without planting to soften it.
For more inspiration, read our 10 grey patio ideas.
How much does Kandla Grey paving cost?
Sandstone (riven): from £20/m² — our most popular starting option. Patio packs often offer the best value per m².
Sandstone (sawn): from £24/m² — the smooth finish costs more due to additional processing at the quarry.
Porcelain: from £21.11/m² — the smooth version and smaller formats sit at the lower end, 900×600 textured at £22/m².
All prices include VAT and free UK mainland delivery. A typical 20m² Kandla Grey patio costs approximately £400-480 in materials. For the full project cost including sub-base, mortar, and labour, use our patio cost calculator.
Why is Kandla Grey so popular?
Five reasons it outsells every other paving colour in the UK:
1. Universal compatibility. Grey is the only paving colour that works with every house type, every brick colour, every planting scheme, and every furniture style. You can't go wrong with it.
2. Timeless, not trendy. Grey paving doesn't date. Buff and brown tones go in and out of fashion. Grey has been the #1 UK paving colour for over a decade and shows no sign of declining.
3. Available in every material. Want sandstone? Kandla Grey. Want porcelain? Kandla Grey. Want sawn smooth? Kandla Grey. Want cobbles? Kandla Grey. One colour, every format — makes specifying and matching easy.
4. Resale value. Estate agents and property developers consistently choose grey paving for garden upgrades because it appeals to the widest range of buyers. A Kandla Grey patio adds value without polarising taste.
5. It looks better with age. Sandstone Kandla Grey develops a subtle patina over years that softens and enriches the colour. Unlike buff stones that can look faded, grey stone ages gracefully.
Browse Kandla Grey
Sandstone and porcelain, every size in stock. All prices include VAT and free UK delivery.
Kandla Grey Sandstone Kandla Grey PorcelainFrequently asked questions
Is Kandla Grey sandstone or porcelain?
Both. Kandla Grey originally refers to the natural sandstone quarried in the Kandla region of Rajasthan. Porcelain manufacturers now produce factory-made slabs in the same colour, also sold as "Kandla Grey." We stock both — natural sandstone from £20/m² and porcelain from £21.11/m². The sandstone has natural colour variation, the porcelain has consistent colour and zero maintenance.
Does Kandla Grey change colour over time?
Sandstone Kandla Grey develops a natural patina over years — the colour softens slightly and gains character, especially in shaded areas where moisture encourages subtle darkening. Most homeowners consider this an improvement, not a deterioration. Porcelain Kandla Grey does not change — it looks identical in year 20 as in year 1.
What does Kandla Grey look like when wet?
Sandstone Kandla Grey darkens significantly when wet — from light silver-grey to a deeper charcoal. The colour variation between slabs becomes more pronounced. After rain, it looks noticeably richer. Porcelain Kandla Grey doesn't change when wet — the non-porous surface repels water. Order a sample to see this in your own garden.
Which is better — Kandla Grey riven or sawn?
Riven has a natural textured surface — traditional character, naturally non-slip, cooler underfoot in summer, and more forgiving to lay. Sawn has a smooth, precision-cut surface — contemporary aesthetic, tight joints, and a sleek modern look. Neither is better — they suit different design styles. Read our riven vs sawn comparison.
Can I mix Kandla Grey sandstone and porcelain on the same patio?
Yes — this is an increasingly popular approach. Use porcelain near the house for stain resistance around cooking and dining areas, and sandstone in the sun-exposed lounging zone for barefoot comfort. The Kandla Grey colour is similar enough in both materials to create a cohesive look, with sandstone setts or porcelain edging planks marking the transition between zones.
Do you stock Kandla Grey year-round?
Yes — Kandla Grey is our #1 selling product. We hold stock of every Kandla Grey format (sandstone riven, sandstone sawn, porcelain textured, porcelain smooth, setts, edging) at our Nottingham warehouse year-round. Orders are dispatched within 24 hours and delivered in 2-5 working days.
