Dunhouse Buff Sandstone is a fine-grained, non-calcareous, slightly micaceous sandstone with a generally buff coloration. Geologically, it is classified as a meso-microcrystalline arenite. Extracted from the heart of Eesdale, near Darlington, Durham, Dunhouse Buff Sandstone has gained popularity for its blonde coloring, fine grain, and consistency. These characteristics make it ideal for carving and a suitable choice for restoration and new construction projects in cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle.

The quarry from which Dunhouse Buff Sandstone is extracted was initially opened to build Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, completed in 1892. The enduring quality of the museum's detail, still evident today, serves as a testament to the stone's durability.

Test Results of Dunhouse Buff
Safety in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1) 82 (79 – 82 range)
Wet Values > 40 are considered safe.
Abrasion Resistance (Note 1) 26.9
Values <23.0 are considered suitable for use in heavily trafficked areas
Strength under load
1) Compression(Note 2) 84.1 MPa
Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
2) Bending (Note 1) 6.8 MPa
Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
Porosity and Water Absorption
1) Porosity (Note 3) 17.0% (16 – 18 range)
2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3) 0.61 (0.61 – 0.68 range)
3) Water Absorption 4.7 % (by wt) (4.4 – 5.2 range)
4) Bulk specific gravity 2202 kg/m3 (2180 – 2202 range)
Resistance to Frost 
Flexural strength after Freeze/Thaw Test (Note 1) 6.0 MPa
Resistance to Salt
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test (Note 3) 1.89% Mean wt loss
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test (Note 14) 84 – 89%Mean wt loss
Resistance to Acidity
Acid Immersion Test(Note 4) Pass
(Test methods Note 1 = EN1341, Note 2 = EN 1342, Note 3 = EN 1341 /BRE 141, Note 4 = BRE 141)

DECLARATION OF PERFORMANCE

To BS EN 771-6-2011 Natural Stone Masonry Units

Resistance to Fire...Class A1

Shear Bond Strength...Fixed Value

Apparent Density... (Kg/m³)2160

Open Porosity ...(%)17.7

Water Absorpotion ...(g/m.sec²)35.06

Compressive Strength ...(Mpa)36.66

Flexural Strength... (Mpa)4.6

Frost Resistance ...(Cycles)140

Thermal Conductivity...NPD