QA

Question: How To Lay Flagstone Patio

Can I lay flagstone directly in soil?

Consider using flagstones that are at least 1-1/2 inches thick as stepping stones or patio flooring. With the latter, flagstones can be laid directly in soil or a bed of sand. Thinner slabs should be laid in wet mortar or concrete to prevent cracking when stepped on.

What do you put under a flagstone patio?

For a lasting installation, a dry-set stone patio does need a foundation, though. It’s best to start with several inches of compacted gravel, followed by a layer of stone dust, also called decomposed granite, or DG. The DG is pulverized stone and contains small pieces along with gravel-size and sand-size particles.

What is the best material to put between flagstone?

Sand: Sand is the most common joint filler, but it is challenging to keep in place and needs to be refilled. Rocks: You can use small rocks to fill large gaps, and gravel or crushed rock can be used to fill smaller gaps. Mulch: Bark and lightweight chunks of mulch are a great option for in-between flagstone.

Can you lay flagstone over pea gravel?

Things You’ll Need Flagstone is a strong, attractive hardscape material used for laying walkways, patios and edging gardens. You can use pea gravel between flagstones to inhibit weeds, and provide a comfortable walking surface between the larger stones.

How much is a pallet of flagstone?

Flagstone pallet prices range from $600 to $2,200, or $0.20 to $0.55 per pound. Pallets weigh around three to four tons. One covers 210 to 560 square feet, depending on the dimensions of the stone.

Do I need gravel under flagstone?

Dry-laid flagstone simply means that the flagstone pieces are placed on a bed of sand and gravel. It is recommended that a patio or walkway base be at least 3” deep, then filled with a layer of compacted gravel covered with coarse sand.

How far apart should flagstone be?

You don’t want them too far apart so that it feels awkward to walk along your path. Make required adjustments and then begin adding the other stones at one end of the walkway. Position them around the larger stones in the middle to your liking, being sure that the gaps between each stone are around 1″ or 2″.

How much area does a pallet of flagstone cover?

The average thickness variance on a pallet is 1½” to 2¼” and an average pallet weighs about 3,500 pounds. The approximate coverage per ton is 80 – 90 sq. ft. and approximately 4 – 12 sq.

Do you seal flagstone?

All flagstone is subject to water stains, particularly in areas where the water supply is alkaline or contains minerals. For this reason, all new flagstone paving should be sealed upon completion. A sealer fills the pores in the stone and repels spills.

How do you level uneven flagstone?

Leveling the stones to one another can best be accomplished using a length of a 2×4 that reaches across several flagstones at once, maybe 4, and a rubber mallet. As you set each stone, level it with some loose gravel insuring that the stone is totally supported on its bottom side.

Is flagstone cheaper than pavers?

On average, yes, flagstone costs around $2 to $3 per square foot while pavers range from $3 to $6. However, in the end, the flagstone flooring project costs more than pavers. The overall material costs a bit more, and the labor to install it’s pricy too.

How many inches of gravel do you need for pavers?

There is no absolute rule to determine how required depth, however recommendations vary by use. The guidelines are 4 to 6 inches for pedestrian walkways and 8 to 12 inches for driveways. Local soil conditions also impact depth needs.

Why is flagstone so expensive?

Factors that impact the cost of flagstone Some flagstone is more expensive because it is difficult to obtain or limited in availability. For example, bluestone mined in Connecticut will cost a great deal to ship to California because it must be shipped across the entire continent.

Can you lay flagstone over concrete?

While traditionally flagstones are set in a bed of compacted sand and gravel over raw dirt, they can also be installed on top of an existing concrete surface.

What is cheaper concrete or flagstone?

Laying stone will cost around $30 per square foot, while pouring, stamping and coloring concrete will cost around $15 per square foot. That means the overall cost for a concrete patio or walkway could be half that of flagstone. On larger projects, this will be a considerable amount of money.

Can you lay a patio straight onto soil?

While it is possible to lay paving slabs on soil, it is not generally advised. The durability of any paving with a soil base can depend on many factors, including: Type of soil: Heavy clay soil will be far more durable and less likely to be compromised by British weather conditions.

Does flagstone break easily?

Flagstone pavers are usually between 1/2”-1” thick, though they can be even thicker. Thinner pieces aren’t really recommended for use in pathways and patios, as they are more easily prone to breakage and will likely not be able to stand up to heavy traffic.

How many square feet comes in a pallet of flagstone?

A pallet of 1-1/2″ thick holds approx. 120-140 square feet of stone. There is a deposit on the pallet.

How much does it cost to lay a flagstone patio?

Cost of Flagstone Patios The cost to install a flagstone patio averages between $15 and $21 per square foot. Expect to pay anywhere from $750 to $8,400 for a 50- to 400-square-foot patio. The total depends on the location of your project, the amount of flagstone needed and the square footage you’ll need to cover.

How do I figure out how much flagstone I need?

Multiply the length by the width to find the area of the space to be covered with stone. If the length of the patio was 8.5 feet and the width was 7.75, you’d multiply those numbers to come to 65.88 square feet. To account for sizing and waste, add 10 to 15 percent to your square footage.

What do you use between flagstone?

What Material to Use Between Flagstones? Sand. Though a very common filler, bear in mind that if you use sand for flagstone patio filler you will need to refill it from time to time as the sand will erode. Rocks. Mulch. Plants. Polymeric stone dust.

What type of cement is used for flagstone?

1:1 Mortar Mixture If you decide not to use hydrated lime in mortar for your flagstone walk, a good sturdy mixture is made from sand and Portland cement. Landscapers, accustomed to the extreme fluctuations of Colorado weather, have had satisfactory results mixing 1 part Portland cement with I part sand.