Flagstone
patio on a stonedust base
A
flagstone patio can add years of enjoyment to your outdoor
living. You can do it yourself with patience and hard work
and following the tips and guidelines we've outlined below:
Step
1
Using a hose or paint, mark
out the area you want to turn into a path or patio. You
may want to consult with one of our designers, who can draw
a to-scale plan showing exact dimensions and grades based
on your requirements. Once you have marked out the shape,
it's time to start digging!
Step
2
Assuming the grade is constant,
you need to remove at least 6-8" of existing dirt within
your line. Back
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Step
3
After removing the dirt, you
need to lay your edging. This can be steel, aluminum, brick,
or cobblestone. The edging keeps the base material as well
as the surface material contained. Make sure to check the
grade and level of the edging on both sides as you go. If
you don't, the grade may be all wrong by the time you need
to put down your path or patio. Allow at least a 1/4"
drop away from the house for every 1' to allow for drainage.
Back
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Step
4
Once your edging is down and
correctly graded, put in a 2" layer of #57 gravel.
Tamp this down with either a gas-powered tamper, which we
recommend, or a hand tamper. You can rent gas-powered tampers
from most equipment rental stores. Back
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Step
5
Now you need to lay some fabric
on top of the gravelto keep the materials separate. Back
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Step
6
The next material you'll lay
can be either stonedust or sand. Make this layer at least
4" thick. Once again use the tamper to pack this material
down firmly. You'lll find that you may have to add material
a couple of times after you have gone over it with the tamper.
The edging should rise above the stonedust or sand about
the thickness of the flagstone, so once you've installed
your flagstone, everything is flush.
Note: This is the most important step, for
without a good solid base, your flagstone constantly shift
and move. Back
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Step
7
Install your flagstone. You
will need to rent a "cut-off saw." You should
start working from one point, which allows you to place
a regular section without cutting. Work your way to the
edges and lay the piece of stone to be cut in position,
so it lays over the edging. Mark the underside of the stone
with a pencil or crayon where it meets the edging. Lift
this stone, flip it over, and use the cut off saw to cut
where it was marked. Once it's cut, flip it back over, and
it should fall right into its spot! Back
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Step
8
Once the entire flagstone
patio or path is cut, you now have to come back through
and level each piece. Due to the variables in stone, you
may have to add some stonedust or sand here and there to
account for its thickness. This takes a great deal of patience.
Once this is done all you have to do is sweep either sand
or stonedust into the joints and you're finished!!!
Note:
For at least the first year after you install your patio,
you will find that you have to come back and sweep more
stonedust or sand into the joints (at least two or three
times) until it has packed down enough.
Now
it's time to add your patio furniture, sit back, and enjoy!!
