🪨 Bluestone 20mm Thick Pavers vs Concrete 40mm Thick Pavers

🧱 1. Compressive Strength

• Bluestone (20mm):
  Typically 120 MPa+
  Natural volcanic stone like Victorian Bluestone is incredibly dense and strong, even at thinner sizes.

• Concrete (40mm):
  Usually ranges between 25-40 MPa
  Even at double the thickness, standard concrete struggles to match the strength of natural stone.

✅ Winner: Bluestone – Much stronger per mm.

⚒️ 2. Modulus of Rupture (Flexural Strength)

• Bluestone (20mm):
  Roughly 15–20 MPa
  Superior resistance to bending and cracking due to its natural crystalline structure.

• Concrete (40mm):
  Around 3–5 MPa
  Concrete is brittle and more likely to crack under movement or stress.

✅ Winner: Bluestone – Better load-bearing and less prone to cracking.

🌧️ 3. Durability (Weather, Wear & Tear)

• Bluestone:

  • Withstands freeze-thaw cycles with no degradation

  • High resistance to salt, UV, and erosion

  • Lifetime product if installed correctly

• Concrete:

  • Susceptible to surface wear, cracking, and fading

  • Absorbs moisture over time which can lead to breakdown

  • Often needs sealing, resurfacing, or replacement in 10–15 years

✅ Winner: Bluestone – Far more durable in harsh Australian outdoor conditions.

🔍 Summary Table

💬 Final Verdict:

Even at half the thickness, 20mm Bluestone pavers outperform 40mm Bunnings concrete pavers in almost every technical and practical way. For those looking for strength, timeless style, and long-term durability, Bluestone is the clear winner.