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.

This DIY article; and the rest of the how-to section of my blog, cover most of the basics of how to properly build a flagstone patio. These articles provide general guidance, or at least advice, useful for hobbyists, DIY landscape designers/builders, and professional builders alike. So, what type of foundation should we build for our flagstone patio: sand, cement, or gravel? Short answer: It depends. Quarry screening (if one is available in your area) is usually best done under flagstone. Screening is also one of the best options among gemstones, but there are other options available to achieve different aesthetics. First, we'll address the structural question of "what to use under the slab." Cement - at some point it (may) break. It may last a long time, but when it does break down, fixing it will be a lot more work than repairing dry slate. Sand – ants will dig it up and leave it everywhere…sand can also be washed away, causing rocks to settle. Gravel – There’s really no problem here, just use the right type of gravel. Even better, use modified gravel as a base and then stone powder (aka quarry screening, aka grit, aka quarry dust) as the final leveling agent. Okay, so let's be more specific.

Cement will (probably) crack. Especially grade level cement. Especially in a climate with winters like ours in Pennsylvania. Worse way to go about it would be to lay the flagstone upon a bed of gravel and then cement the joints between stones. Horrible idea. The gravel base is flexible and will move ever so slightly during freeze-thaw. Well, if the base was done poorly the movement might be more then slight, but let’s assume the base was done well. A gravel base will definitely move a bit — looking at any of my patios, you’d never know that, but the movement does happen. Cement is rigid — if you put a rigid top on a flexible base then systemic cracking is inevitable.Cement is of course a fine joint filling material if the flagstone happens to rest upon a concrete foundation. But why on earth would you want to have a concrete foundation anyway? The concrete itself will crack, eventually. In a northern climate it will likely crack within ten years — and the chances of it cracking within the next three years are pretty high too. Environmental impact of concrete production is no small issue either. Anyway, I personally prefer dry stone work. More harmonious, warmer, just better. The feeling you get from a well done dry laid flagstone patio, IMO, is just better than a flagstone patio set in cement. My opinion.A flagstone patio set in cement can of course look good and last a long time. I’ve built many that look great,–many years later too. But if there is cement between the joints, there just had better be a concrete foundation. I mean it.

Cement based mortar is a fine joint filling material if the flagstone happens to rest upon a concrete foundation. But why on earth would you want to have a concrete foundation anyway? The concrete itself will crack, eventually. In a northern climate it will likely crack within ten years—and the chances of it cracking within the next three years are pretty high too. Environmental impact of concrete production is no small issue either. Anyway, I personally prefer dry stone work. More harmonious, warmer, just better. The feeling you get from a well done dry laid flagstone patio, in my humble opinion, is just better than a flagstone patio set in cement.

This DIY article; and the rest of the how-to section of my blog, cover much of the basics of how-to properly build flagstone patios. These will be of much use to the hobbyist, DIY landscaper/builder, and to professional builders as well. If you need guidance for site-specific issues for your stone hardscape installation I offer consultation services as well.

Many homeowners have the experience, skills, and confidence with do-it-yourself projects that will allow them to install manufactured stone veneer themselves.

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