How to DIY Stone Terrace: 5 Things Homeowners Need to Know-stone cladding

A flagstone patio creates a unique design statement for your outdoor living space. Because they are 100% natural stone (one of the only all-natural materials available for patios), they offer a unique color combination and shape. If you're considering using them for your patio space, you'll want to build some flexibility into your pattern. Their uniqueness as a material is great from a design perspective, but using them in DIY projects does present some challenges. Characteristics such as their unique color and shape, as well as cost, need to be considered before adding them to any patio project. Here are some things homeowners need to know about using flagstone pavers to build a patio, along with some tips to make working with these beautiful stones easier.

1. Cost: Stone slabs are comparable in price to concrete pavers

If comparing just the cost of materials, stone slabs that are 1-2 inches thick are generally comparable to concrete pavers or other materials. For thicker slate (2-3 inches), you should generally pay more. These larger flagstones are typically used when they are placed in mortar. Additionally, installing flagstone requires more time and labor than pavers. It can be difficult to plan the layout of your flagstone patio before seeing the stone you purchased because you don't know the exact size, shape, and color you will receive. Designing a flagstone patio is done on the fly as each stone must be fitted into place and arranged according to color and size to achieve the desired fit and layout. You may find that you have to move the stone several times to get the look you want. To help with all of these moving and moving tasks, you should recruit volunteers or hire contractors to do the heavy lifting. If you're on a budget, always consider volunteers first.

2. DIY vs. Contractors: Slate is heavy

Flagstone is much heavier than traditional clay or concrete pavers. Pavers usually come in standard sizes and are very easy to handle and drag from one place to another. Stone slabs vary in size from pebble size to huge slabs and can be quite heavy. Plan to recruit additional manpower to help you move the stone into place. Equipment helps, but someone needs to know how to operate it effectively and safely. One benefit of using these heavy rocks is that they do not have to be placed on a bed of mortar. As long as the bed and joints are properly filled and compacted with sand or gravel, the stone will stay in place for years to come.

3. Basic Installation: Think outside the box with caulk

A variety of materials can be used as filler between each stone. Flagstone mortar or grout, gravel or gravel base, and sand are the most common. They prevent stone movement and provide a level surface for furniture and decorative items. Small-sized gravel and landscape sand are the cheapest options, and they are easier to install because you don't need to do any mixing. You can even use colored gravel to make a unique design statement. One word of caution: Don’t use beach sand. Landscaping sand is coarser and does not settle much over time. Now, if you're looking for a softer look for your patio project, consider planting low-growing groundcover in the spaces between the stones. Short grass can add wonderful color to the natural color of the stone. Or add dwarf plants with small flowers to add a pop of brightness. Adding vegetation to your yard can soften the appearance of stone.

Style tip: Place flagstones further apart and plant grass or groundcover between them. You'll need less stone to cover the area, and you'll still have a beautiful, natural space.

4. DIY & Contractors: Requires an Artistic Eye

The naturally occurring irregular shapes and colors of flagstone mean that assembling a patio is more like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. It takes time and an artistic eye to know which pieces should go together and how to shape the stone to match the desired areas. If your yard has many border areas, it will take skill and time to shape the stone so that it fits correctly. One solution is to use a less defined pattern and leave more space between the stones. By letting the size and shape of the stone determine the pattern, you will need less trimming and shaping work. This will save you installation time and make your patio shape look more natural. Breaking rocks isn't as difficult as it sounds (breaking them where you want is another thing!). Tapping the edges lightly with a hammer should break the pieces easily. Alternatively, you can try throwing larger rocks on a hard surface and letting the pieces scatter naturally. When more precise shaping is required, chisels and hammers can help. The key is not to try to remove too many stones at once, you should be able to shape the stone to fit your design.

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5. Installation: Can be mixed

There is no requirement that a flagstone patio must consist solely of flagstone. Mixing flagstone with concrete or clay pavers can save time and money. Use flagstones to highlight seating areas or just the path between seating and cooking areas. You can create a flagstone decking in the center of your patio and surround it with standard pavers to create a unique patio design that works for your space. The possibilities are endless by combining materials, and you can get the look and beauty of natural stone without breaking your budget.

put it together

Start with an idea. Measure the space you have to work with. Determine what types of materials you want to use and where you want them. Choose your materials. Begin the layout after preparing the ground, drainage rock, and sand. Once you have a design you like, "pin it down" by pouring in caulk and smoothing the surface. Then, sit back and enjoy your new flagstone patio. Slate is a wonderful, long-lasting natural material that can be used to create one-of-a-kind designs. No two flagstone patios look the same. Use this uniqueness to make your yard stand out from the crowd.