Sandstone, or any natural stone, is also a much better choice than any of the “cultured stone” products that are currently available. These cement – based building materials are not comparable in look or durability, and cannot be expected to last nearly as long a true natural stone.
It is interesting that during the great European cathedral and temple building era 800 years ago, sandstone was often preferred where it could be found locally. Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre-Dame in France is known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. It boasts the tallest spire in Europe, and is made of sandstone.
In our own smaller, more recent “stone era” of the past two centuries, a quick tour of the Toronto and Hamilton area will show that our ancestors chose this excellent stone for the public buildings and fine homes that really mattered to them. A structure of Credit Valley sandstone has a lifespan measured in centuries, not decades.