EUROPEAN STANDARD GRADE DIAMOND SAWN V's PREMIUM GRADE LIGHTLY HONED

European Bluestone — Standard Grade (Diamond Sawn Surface) vs Premium Grade (Lightly Honed Finish)

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When selecting European Bluestone for a project, the finish and grade you choose affects the look, tolerances and how much finishing/filling will be required on site. Below is a simple, side-by-side explanation of what to expect from our Standard Grade Diamond Sawn Surface and our more refined Premium Grade Lightly Honed finish.

At a glance — similarities

Both grades share the same core performance characteristics that make European Bluestone such a popular paving and cladding material:

• P5 non-slip rating — both achieve a P5 rating suitable for pedestrian traffic and wet areas.

• Slight heat resistance — both grades tolerate typical outdoor heat exposure.

• Hard & dense — both are durable and appropriate for residential and commercial applications.

• Colour family — both are a similar shade to Australian Bluestone and are slightly lighter than typical Chinese Bluestone.

Major differences — what sets Premium apart

1. Fewer catspaw / air holes

• Premium Grade: FAR fewer catspaw (small surface voids or air holes), which reduces the need for extensive filling, improves the finished appearance and gives a cleaner, more uniform surface.

• Standard Grade: More natural catspaw is present — this is a normal characteristic of the stone but may require additional filling on exposed faces or in very fine finishes.

2. Cutting and dimensional accuracy

• Premium Grade: Cut and finished to tighter tolerances — ±1.5 mm thickness and consistent dimensions. This makes Premium a better choice for projects where precise joints, tight alignment or minimal grout lines are required.

• Standard Grade: More variation in thickness/dimensions is typical of a diamond-sawn product and can be acceptable for rustic or less precision-critical installations.

3. Surface appearance and finish

• Premium Grade: Lightly honed using #200 grit diamond pads, producing a uniform surface colour with no visible saw marks. The result is a refined, contemporary aesthetic with a smooth, even face.

• Standard Grade: Diamond-sawn surface retains the sawing texture/marks. This gives a more industrial or traditional saw-cut look which can be attractive where a slightly more textured appearance is desired.

Practical outcome for installers & specifiers

• Appearance — Choose Premium if you want a consistent, clean finish with minimal visible defects or saw marks. Choose Standard if the saw-cut character is acceptable and you’re working to a tighter budget.

• On-site work — Premium typically requires less remedial filling and face work, saving time in final finishing. Standard may need additional filling or attention to achieve a very smooth appearance.

• Tolerance critical projects — When tight joint widths or thin grout lines are important, Premium’s ±1.5 mm tolerance makes installation easier and results more predictable.

• Cost vs finish — Standard Grade (diamond sawn) is cost-effective and fit for many projects. Premium Grade costs more but returns savings in labour for finishing and delivers a superior visual result.

Quick comparison table

Recommendation

• Specify Premium Grade Lightly Honed when appearance, tight jointing and minimal finishing are priorities — ideal for high-end residential, hospitality or designer commercial projects.

• Specify Standard Grade Diamond Sawn when the saw-cut aesthetic is appropriate, or when budget and a more textured surface are the overriding considerations.