How To Build A Flagstone Patio -- First Steps In Planning Materials

The first step to consider in planning the materials for your flagstone patio project is the type of stone you prefer

. Most of us are familiar with the typical flagstone look, where the pieces of stone are irregular shapes, with varying colors and shades, and the layout is like "crazy paving." If you like that, fine, but perhaps you have another picture of what your perfect patio would look like? There are a wide variety of choices when it comes to patterns, from simple rectangular patterns to more complicated layouts using different shapes and types of stone. The possibilities are endless are only limited by your imagination.

You need good quality stone of the right thickness, because a well-laid patio can serve you well with little maintenance for several decades. It has to be able to bear traffic over the long term -- for example, thin pieces of shale or sandstone won't work because they can't stand up to any kind of traffic or bear much weight without breaking. An area that will have heavy traffic quantity, or bear any amount of weight will need thicker stone and may require a concrete sub-base (this would apply to something like a flagstone driveway that takes vehicle traffic).

Climate should be considered, too. Double-check with your supplier to make sure the stone you want to use is appropriate for the weather conditions in your area. For example, a very porous stone may suffer in sub-zero weather; it absorbs moisture which can expand as it freezes and damage the stone. It is essential that some slope is built into the patio to insure proper drainage of water off the stone; this slope should always be away from buildings and other design elements -- excess water should drain onto a lawn or driveway, etc.

Another aspect of freezing climates is the safety of your stone surface when it is wet or ice-covered. You could choose a stone with some roughness in the surface to aid traction when the stone is wet, and plan to use a good volcanic ash product during the winter when the patio is ice-covered. The ash won't damage the stone, or surrounding vegetation. In fact, you can just sweep the excess of onto the lawn in the spring without worrying. Volcanic ash is more expensive that salt-based products, but it goes much farther. It is a lot more healthy for your pets and your floors, too!

At this point you're not making final decisions so much as you are fact-finding, getting a feel for what you want in your finished patio so you can start budgeting. Your local supplier might be able to help out with pictures of finished patio projects, as well as illustrations of design ideas. You will discover there are far more choices than you had dreamed of, which makes designing your patio a lot more fun!

by: Rebecca Collings

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