To start out creating aflagstone patiofor your K , foot a spot where you want to build it and sketch a basic plan . Then , before you break out ground , contact your local utilities to check that you do n’t disturb any hush-hush lines , pipes , or cables . Also , decide which method you ’d care to use : guts or mortar . We explicate how to install a flagstone patio both way .
Choosing Flagstone Patio Pieces
Flagstone terrace paver pieces are fractured or cleft into flavourless slabs of various lengths , with 2 inches or more thickness and random edges . The types of flagstone most commonlyused for patiosinclude bluestone , limestone , redstone , sandstone , granite , and slating . Irregular - mould flagstone works for casual , free - form plans . cutting stone is flagstone finished with straight edges and straight corners . It ranges from about 1 foot to 4 feet across and comes in different thicknesses . turn out flag is suited to moreformal geometric designs .
Whatever case you choose for your flagstone patio , pavers must be at least 2 inches thick to avoid cracking or breaking . A ton of stone covers about 120 square base ; parliamentary law 5 percent more for breakage . Large stones cover a surface more speedily than small art object but may bear witness more challenging to move , cut back , and design .
Unlikeceramic roofing tile , you’re able to arrange flagstone in a George Sand base . A mortared installation , however , will give you years of maintenance - free use of your flagstone paver terrace . A mortared patio requires a slab to allow for a solid base . Cleft stone initiation require an exterior mortar , broadly speaking Type M ( which has gamey compressive military strength ) or Type S ( high lateral strength ) .
Credit: Edward Gohlich
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Install a Flagstone Patio Using the Sand Method
Remove the Old Patio
specify thesize and shapeof your new flagstone patio .
fall apart safety goggles and apply a sledgehammer when removing the older patio .
Excavate Accordingly
To facilitate drainage , dig up the areato a profoundness of at least 8 inches . The ruined flagstone patio should be even with the surrounding yard . To determine how deep to excavate , sum 6 inches ( 4 inches compacted fundament plus 2 inches Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin ) to the thickness of your flagstones . Our flagstone were 3 in thick ; we dig up to a profoundness of 9 column inch .
Add a Base
Add fundament textile . Gravel is undecomposed , but crushed limestone work even in force to forbid go under . The deeper your radix story , the less you ’ll see your patio shift during wintertime .
tamper after adding a duo of column inch of base material to ensure a solid foundation . The pack base should be 4 inches deep .
Add Sand for Drainage
Level a 2 - inch stratum ofbuilder ’s sandwith a rakehell . Sand helps with drainage and makes it easier to position the pavers and level the flagstone patio .
Install Edging
set up edgingaround the patio ’s perimeter , anchoring with 10 - inch metal spikes . Cut and bend the edging as needed .
Add Paving Materials
Lay your paving materials over the bed of sand . Slide the item-by-item pieces shut down together for a fresh face ; pass on bigger gap if you ’d like toplant groundcoverbetween them . Tamp them gently with the mallet to fix them in the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin .
Fill Spaces with Sand
Fill spaces between pavers with constructor ’s sand or polymer sand . Because polymer sand pretend like mortar when wet , it keeps pavers more securely in place than traditional sand . It alsodiscourages weedsand keep on moxie from washing over pavers after rainstorm . Sweep off excess gumption after you fill the outer space .
How to Install a Flagstone Patio Using the Mortar Method
Mix Mortar
Lay out your form in a wry running play next to the site . Mix enough mortarfor about a 3x3 - foot section , and trowel a 1 - column inch thickness on the slab . Then , lift your stones from your trial run and set them in the mortar in the same design .
Lay Stones
Set thelarger stonesfirst , keeping them in the pattern and using a summit standard of measurement to set them at a uniform altitude . promote the stones down ; do n’t slip them . Fill voids with smaller gem , slew them to fit and leveling them with a rubber mallet .
To swerve the stone :
Level and Let Cure
Fill Joints
More Patio Material Options
If flagstone is n’t the right fit for your landscape , you could make a terrace usingherringbone - laid brick(or another convention you like ) orlarge pavers , or you could build awooden deck . Whatever material you prefer , we have details about how todesign the perfect patiofor your home . Include an overhang for shade , whether progress - in orfreestanding , to savour the outdoors even on the hottest days . For privateness , add outdoor curtains ortall bush .
