Castle Grey Flagstone Patio-flagstones

We recently designed a new flagstone patio in our backyard knowing it would be a functional and simple way to update the space. We chose flagstone for many reasons, including its durability, the minimal maintenance requirement, and how it looks with our home exterior.

Since we’ve installed our family-friendly patio, it has tremendously benefitted our family by creating a space where the kids can run and play and can be easily hosed off daily! We’re so excited for the backyard makeover, and we can now invite guests to sit around our fire pit while the kids play.

Are you considering new hardscaping for your patio or backyard? If you’re looking to create a flagstone patio or walkway, keep reading to learn why we installed natural cleft and cut Castle Grey flagstone in a French pattern.

Honey gold slate paving mats

What Are Flagstone Pavers?

Flagstone is a sedimentary stone that occurs when sediment layers harden, usually underwater. It is composed of layers of strata of sand, clay, or organic sediments. When you hear the term flagstone, think of it as an umbrella encompassing several different types of stone. You will find common varieties of flagstone like slate that is popular in interior spaces, bluestone that is frequently found in cooler climates, and castle grey that is often used in exterior spaces. I’m going to discuss my two favorite varieties next: Castle Grey Flagstone and Bluestone.

Different Types of Flagstone

Castle Grey Flagstone

Castle Grey flagstone is neutral in color with light blue to dark grey undertones. It has hand-cut edges and a naturally uneven surface, giving it a beautiful texture. This type of flagstone is extremely low maintenance and highly durable.

Bluestone is a Type of Flagstone

Before I started researching different types of backyard pavers, I was unaware that bluestone is an actual type of flagstone. The thought was very confusing to me. Remember, there are numerous types of flagstone and bluestone is one of them. Bluestone is formed when particles deposited by rivers, oceans, and lakes are fused together. Bluestone guarantees a timeless look, especially among plants and other greenery.

Why We Selected Castle Grey Flagstone

Now that we’ve discussed flagstone and the several different varieties, it’s important to note that I really wanted bluestone for our home. When I started pinning inspiration photos, I pinned several dreamy homes with bluestone patios. At this point, you may be wondering why we chose castle grey flagstone over bluestone. I personally love the charm and look of bluestone and have always dreamed of having it in our backyard. However, several professionals warned against using it in a warm climate because it gets really hot underfoot. Living in Charleston, South Carolina, we have several hot months and need a stone that is family-friendly for backyard play. We did not want to worry about spraying it with water to cool it down each time we planned to go outside to play or entertain.

Also, when comparing other popular paver options for our patio project, we found that several are slick when wet which would not be the best choice with children. The natural texture of grey flagstone makes it less slippery and is a safer option for our family.