Lyon Grey is a Chinese sandstone with an ash-grey to dark grey base tone and a calm, dense stone structure. Matter-of-fact, neutral and suitable for architecture — appropriate for façades, terraces, stairs and reduced interior architecture.
Other trade names: China Grey Quartzite, Lyon Gray Stone, Lyon Grey Quartzite, Lyon Grey Sandstone, Lyon Grey Stone, RO-04-052
About Lyon grey
Lyon Grey is a deliberately restrained grey stone without decorative exaggeration. The colouring moves between ash grey, mid grey and a darker slate grey; the slab image is homogeneous and even — no expressive play of veins, but a matter-of-fact architectural surface. It is precisely this legibility that makes the stone of interest for projects in which a neutral, calm grey surface is required without the material slipping into an industrial concrete look: façades, floor surfaces, stairs, terraces, reduced interior architecture.
Geologically, Lyon Grey is a sandstone from Chinese deposits with a high quartz content. Sandstones form when quartz grains are cemented into solid rock by mineral binders over millions of years — the high quartz content in Lyon Grey produces a particularly dense, almost quartzitic structure. Typical technical values lie at around 2,650 to 2,750 kg/m³ bulk density, roughly 0.15 to 0.30 % water absorption, about 90 to 110 MPa compressive strength and approximately 12 to 16 MPa flexural strength. The stone thereby positions itself in the more load-bearing range of the sandstone family.
Technically, Lyon Grey benefits from this dense structure: the low water absorption makes the material frost-resistant and well suited to external use. Compressive and flexural strength are sufficient for heavily frequented floor surfaces, stairs and façade applications. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
At ROSSITTIS we stock Lyon Grey as a raw slab for kitchen worktops and washbasin tops, in tiles for floor and wall surfaces, as a tread and riser, window sill, skirting, façade cladding, terrace slab and project-specific cut-to-size. In the choice of finish the application decides: the surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. Compared with classic grey granites, Lyon Grey appears somewhat finer and calmer, without a grainy mineral image. Set against grey limestones, the high quartz content makes the material massively more robust and more secure against frost. Anyone looking for a grey workhorse without a show effect is very fittingly served by Lyon Grey.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
7 slabs in stock · plus 3 blocks
Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: Polished, Satin-honed · Available as: Slabs
Guide values for the stone type, taken from manufacturer and test reports. Natural stone is a natural product — individual batches and slabs can differ. For critical applications, request slab-specific test data.
As a sandstone with a high quartz content, Lyon Grey is denser than typical sandstones, but nevertheless benefits from a single impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis. On kitchen worktops and washbasin tops this impregnation is mandatory — it prevents the penetration of oily and greasy soiling and is the basis for a permanently clean surface.
Daily care is carried out with clear warm water and a soft microfibre cloth. For heavier soiling, use a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner; acidic or strongly alkaline household cleaners are taboo, because they attack the binder and can alter the colour intensity.
Outdoors, clear water and a soft broom or a pressure washer at reduced jet power are sufficient. Algae, moss, pollen and road salt should be removed regularly. Refreshing the impregnation every 3-5 years keeps the stone surface permanently easy to maintain.
With professional installation to a fall and an intact impregnation, Lyon Grey is frost-resistant. Use road salt sparingly — sandstones react more sensitively to salt loading than hard rocks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lyon Grey suitable for the kitchen?
Yes. With around 0.15 to 0.30 % water absorption and a high quartz content, Lyon Grey is well suited to kitchen worktops provided the surface is cleanly impregnated. An impregnation on a silane basis is mandatory.
Which finishes are available for Lyon Grey?
The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Where does Lyon Grey come from?
Lyon Grey originates from Chinese deposits. Characteristic is the calm ash-grey to dark grey colouring with a high quartz content — a sandstone in the load-bearing range of the family.
How do I clean and care for Lyon Grey?
Impregnation is mandatory; after that, clear water and a microfibre cloth are sufficient for daily care. For heavier soiling, use a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner. Avoid aggressive acidic or alkaline cleaners.
Is Lyon Grey frost-resistant and suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. With only 0.15-0.30 % water absorption, Lyon Grey is frost-resistant when installed professionally to a fall. For external surfaces with a slip-resistance requirement, a matt, textured finish makes more sense than polished.
Lyon Grey or grey granite — which suits better?
Both are similarly load-bearing, but visually different. Grey granite appears grainier and more mineral, Lyon Grey somewhat finer and calmer without a visible mineral image. For reduced, matter-of-fact architecture, Lyon Grey is the better choice.
What does Lyon grey cost?
The price depends on the batch, thickness, surface finish and fabrication — with natural stone there is no serious flat rate per square metre. Business customers see prices once their B2B account is activated; private customers receive a complete quote through a fabricator near them.
