Also, decide which method you’d like to use: sand or mortar.
We explain how to install a flagstone patio both ways.
Irregular-shaped flagstone works for casual, free-form plans.
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Cut stone is flagstone finished with straight edges and square corners.
It ranges from about 1 foot to 4 feet across and comes in different thicknesses.
Cut flagstone is suited to moreformal geometric designs.
A ton of stone covers about 120 square feet; order 5 percent more for breakage.
Unlikeceramic tile, you’ve got the option to set flagstone in a sand base.
A mortared installation, however, will give you years of maintenance-free use of your flagstone paver patio.
A mortared patio requires a slab to provide a solid base.
Wear safety goggles and use a sledgehammer when removing the old patio.
Excavate Accordingly
To facilitate drainage,excavate the areato a depth of at least 8 inches.
The finished flagstone patio should be level with the surrounding yard.
Our flagstones were 3 inches thick; we excavated to a depth of 9 inches.
The deeper your base level, the less you’ll see your patio shift during winter.
Tamp after adding a couple of inches of base material to ensure a solid foundation.
The compacted base should be 4 inches deep.
Add Sand for Drainage
Level a 2-inch layer ofbuilder’s sandwith a rake.
Sand helps with drainage and makes it easier to position the pavers and level the flagstone patio.
Install Edging
Install 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.
Tamp them gently with the mallet to secure them in the sand.
Fill Spaces with Sand
Fill spaces between pavers with builder’s sand or polymer sand.
Because polymer sand acts like mortar when wet, it keeps pavers more firmly in place than traditional sand.
It alsodiscourages weedsand keeps sand from washing over pavers after rainstorms.
Sweep off excess sand after you fill the spaces.
Then, lift your stones from your trial run and set them in the mortar in the same pattern.
Push the stones down; don’t slide them.
Fill voids with smaller stones, cutting them to fit and leveling them with a rubber mallet.
Whatever material you choose, we have details about how todesign the perfect patiofor your home.
Include an overhang for shade, whether built-in orfreestanding, to enjoy the outdoors even on the hottest days.
For privacy, add outdoor curtains ortall shrubs.
