Dubai is a Brazilian sandstone with a warm yellow-beige ground and fine sedimentary layering. A classic for façades, wall claddings, terraces and Mediterranean-inspired external architecture.
Other trade names: Dubai Gold, Dubai Golden Marble, Dubai Golden Sand, Dubai Sand, In China Stone Market:迪拜金(Díbài Jīn), Old Sequoia
About Dubai
Dubai works through a warm ground that plays from sandy yellow to honey beige, through which fine sedimentation lines run. The slab remains calm and natural — no expressive play of veins, but the typical appearance of a high-quality sandstone that makes rooms and external areas look friendly and inviting. It is precisely this legibility that makes the stone interesting for façades, wall claddings, terraces, garden paths, fountains and rustic interior surfaces.
Geologically, Dubai is a sandstone from Brazilian deposits. Sandstones form when quartz grains are cemented into solid rock over millions of years by mineral binders — usually quartz, carbonate or iron oxides. The warm yellow-beige colouring of Dubai comes from iron-oxide-rich binders. The Mohs hardness typically lies in the 6-7 range, with good compressive strength and, for a sandstone, comparatively low water absorption.
Technically, Dubai behaves typically for a good sandstone: more porous than granite, but with correct installation and sealing durably frost-resistant and suitable for external use. The surface is naturally slightly rough and therefore slip-resistant — one reason why sandstones have for centuries been regarded as the standard material for external architecture in warm climate zones.
At ROSSITTIS we carry Dubai in tiles for terrace, floor and wall surfaces, as a stair tread and riser, façade cladding, wall cladding and project-specific cutting. The application decides the choice of finish: riven shows the stone in its natural form with the highest slip resistance — the first choice for terraces and garden paths. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page.
Compared with other Brazilian sandstones, Dubai appears calm and restrained thanks to its pale ground tone. Against darker sandstones with pronounced wood-like graining, the slab remains homogeneous and flexible in planning terms — a deliberate choice for façades and external surfaces in which the material is meant to be a calm background.
As a sandstone, Dubai is considerably more porous than hard stones such as granite or quartzite. A silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer is therefore not an option but a requirement — it prevents water, oil and dirt from penetrating and is the basis for a durably clean surface.
For daily care outdoors, clear water and a soft broom or a pressure washer at reduced power are sufficient. For heavier soiling — algae, moss, pollen, de-icing salt — use a pH-neutral sandstone cleaner or an algae cleaner compatible with sandstone. Aggressive acidic or alkaline cleaners are taboo, because they attack the binder and can change the colour intensity.
The warm yellow-beige colouring can change slightly over the years through UV radiation — that is normal for iron-pigmented sandstones and part of the natural patina. Regularly refreshing the sealer (every 3-5 years, depending on the loading) preserves the colour depth for longer.
Outdoors, Dubai is frost-proof given correct installation with a fall and an intact sealer. De-icing salt should be used sparingly in winter — where possible, better to switch to grit sand or chippings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dubai suitable for terraces and outdoor use?
Yes, that is its showcase discipline. Dubai sandstone is a classic choice for terraces, garden paths, pool surrounds and façades. A textured finish offers high slip resistance, and the material is frost-resistant given correct installation.
Which finishes are available for Dubai?
The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Where does Dubai come from?
Dubai comes from Brazilian deposits. Characteristic is the warm yellow-beige colouring with fine sedimentation lines — arising from iron-oxide-rich binders and the original sediment layers.
How do I clean and care for Dubai?
Sealing is a requirement, not an option. Daily cleaning with water and a broom or a pressure washer. For heavier soiling, use a pH-neutral sandstone cleaner. Avoid aggressive acidic or alkaline cleaners.
Is Dubai frost-resistant?
Yes, given correct installation with a fall and an intact sealer. Use de-icing salt sparingly in winter — sandstones react more sensitively to salt loading than hard stones.
Dubai or a darker sandstone — which fits better?
Thanks to its calm pale ground tone without pronounced wood-like graining, Dubai appears more restrained and more flexible in planning terms. Darker sandstones with lively graining bring more material character with them, but are visually more dominant.
