* Formation time: Sandstone forms over millions of years through the process of weathering, erosion, deposition, and cementation of sand grains. This process is extremely slow, making the rate of formation significantly slower than the rate at which it is extracted and used.

* Limited availability: While sand is abundant on Earth, sandstone deposits suitable for specific uses (like construction or glassmaking) are not uniformly distributed. These specific deposits can be depleted over time if used faster than they are naturally replenished.

* Non-replaceable: Once sandstone is extracted, it cannot be replaced in a human timeframe. While sand is constantly being created, the specific conditions and time required to form sandstone make it effectively irreplaceable.

Therefore, even though sand is a common material, sandstone, with its specific composition and properties, is considered a nonrenewable resource because its rate of formation is too slow to keep up with human consumption.