A newly built or refinished deck is very attractive, but keeping a deck in a good state requires time and effort. A patio option that eliminates this burden without sacrificing aesthetics is one made of flagstone. Building a deck requires some deal of building knowledge or the money to hire a contractor; however, you can lay your own flagstone patio in four simple steps.
Step 1: Purchase Flagstone
The choices of flagstone are endless. Flagstone comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Be sure to select a color that incorporates the colors of your surrounding landscape. There is thin stone that is only an inch or two thick and there is also flagstone up to four inches thick. When selecting a thickness know that flagstone is often purchased by a per pound basis, so thicker pieces will cost more and will cover less square footage. Lastly, the shape of the stone varies. Some pieces are manufactured to have straight edges, and some pieces come in very irregular shapes. These differences will have a huge impact on the look of your finished patio.
Step 2: Prepare the Base
Determine and mark the area that you want to lay flagstone on. Then excavate that area 6 inches to allow room for the base and stone. Add a fine aggregate base and make sure it is level with a slight slope away from your home to allow for drainage. You want to compact the base in one inch lifts to ensure uniform compaction. Repeat these steps until you have 3 inches of compacted base.
Step 3: Lay the Stones
Start laying your stones closest to the house and work out from there. Proper placement of the stones will mean that there are consistently sized gaps between stones and that each stone is seated correctly. To ensure this, use a hand level and a rubber mallet to set the stones into the base. If necessary, shape the stones by chiseling off small pieces at a time.
Step 4: Fill the Cracks
Options for grouting sandstone include: sand, pea gravel, and topsoil. Each of these options has different perks. A sand grout is the most common option for flagstone patios. The benefit of using topsoil is that this allows moss or other plants to grow in the cracks, creating a natural and organic feel to your outdoor space. Selecting a grout depends on what style you are searching for.
With the addition of some outdoor furniture and a barbecue and you will be entertaining guests in no time!