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The term flagstone is a general term
that refers to a large flat stone that is used as a paving surface. There are many types of flagstones which come in different
shapes and sizes. Building a patio or walkway with natural flagstone is an easy way to enhance the appearance of your home and add to
its resale value.
To begin to determine which type of flagstone is best suited for your project you must first decide which installation
method is to be used. The following will explain the two types of installation.
Crab Orchard Flagging Installed
by George Lupinacci If the thickness of the flagstone is 1 inch
thick, the process of this type of installation begins by excavating the ground approximately 10 inches and the compacting
the soil. Next ¾” clean gravel is placed on top of the compacted soil at a depth of 4”, and a 4”
reinforced slab of concrete is poured on top of that gravel. After the concrete slab is hardened (a minimum of approximately
24 hours) the flagstone is then set on top of the concrete base slab using a “setting cement” mixture of Portland
cement and sand. The purpose of the setting cement mixture is to compensate for any thickness variation in the flagstone.
The same type of cement is used for the joints in between the flagstone pieces. Pros: More permanent construction and less maintenance.Cons: More costly and best installed by a professional.
Bluestone Walkway by Angel Construction/Orange NJ.  |
Dry Construction
The thickness of the stone used for this type
of installation is usually thicker than the flagstone used in the wet construction process. Assuming an average stone thickness
of one and a half inches, excavate the ground 7” and compact the soil. Next ¾” quarry process is placed
on top of the soil at a depth of 2” and is compacted. Repeat with another 2 inches of quarry process. Once the 4”
quarry process base is completed, 1 to 1-1/2 inches of course sand is placed on top and used to dry set the flagstone and
compensate for the thickness variation in the flagstone. Stone dust, sand or gravel is then used in between the stones. An
edge restraint of some type is best to help minimize
the stones from shifting.
There are several variations of the dry laid method and it is best to have a contractor decide which method is best
suited for your jobsite conditions. Pros: More cost effective and can usually be installed
by a non professional.Cons:
Joints require maintenance and shifting of stones can occur over time.
Irregular Tumbled Bluestone 
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