Granite

The workhorse. Granite is igneous rock — crystallised from magma — which makes it hard, dense and very low in porosity. It resists acid, shrugs off UV, holds its colour outdoors and takes heavy traffic without complaint. Its figure is granular and speckled rather than veined, so it reads as texture rather than drama. This is the correct material for car porches, driveways, external walls, entrance floors, water features and any commercial floor that sees grit walked in from outside.