Flagstone Flooring

When it comes to home improvement projects, particularly DIY patio projects (even walkways or other floorings), flagstones are rather popular choice. Here is a guide to flagstones and flagstone floorings for them who want to know the amazing qualities, uses, types of flagstones as well as about flagstone installation for patios and walkways.

What is Flagstone?

Flagstone is a type of flat stone commonly used for paving slabs as in flagstone patio or flagstone walkway. It can be described as building and landscaping stone that is used, other than paving, for fencing and roofing as well. Flagstone is essentially a sedimentary rock that is split into thin layers making it suitable for installing patios and walkways. It is also used in steps, fences, housing, fireplaces, and many other construction projects. It is a natural stone usually composed of feldspar and quartz along with silica, calcium, or iron oxide. Flagstones are generally available in colors red, blue, and buff, but other exotic colors like chocolate color is not very uncommon. It is often used for patios, walkways, steps, fences, housing, fireplaces, and many construction projects.

Benefits of Flagstones

There are many reasons for the popularity of flagstone floorings for patios and walkways.

• Each of the flagstones can be cut into layers for installing in walkways and patios.
• Flagstones can be easily laid down and can be set upon cement, sand or stone dust.
• There is no need of using cement in between the flagstones as is required to be done while laying tiles.
• The patio designs or walkway paths can be given desirable shapes, even complex ones like that of serpentine route when using flagstones for flooring.
• Flagstones also look great as garden borders. The various strains of colored flagstones provide amazing contrast among the colorful and diverse blooms of the flowers.

Different Types of Flagstones

Flagstones are classified on the basis of many parameters like colors, patterns and the place of origin. Flagstone is quarried at any place where there is sedimentary stone like Texas, Pennsylvania, Arizona and the west coast of Ireland. On the basis of places, the most famous types of flagstone include

Arizona Flagstone: This type of flagstone with deep and shiny colors, cut well and is very durable. It is mostly found in colors red and buff in various sizes including strip stones for laying up walls.

Pennsylvania Blue Flagstone: This type of flagstone, a strong granite stone that is cut out of quarries in huge blocks, is mostly dimensional or pre-cut stone as it is quarried that way. It is also popular by the name of 6 sided cut stone.

On the basis of patterns, the different types of flagstone can be listed as

Patterned flagstones: This type of flagstone matches in dimension and overall appearance. However the colors are the exception to this rule.

Chilton Steppers: This type of flagstones are odd in shapes and sizes, but when combined, can give a unique appearance.

Tips on Installing Flagstone Flooring

Flagstone patio or a flagstone walkway can bring charm to any home outdoor landscaping. The extremely versatile flagstones come in a variety of thicknesses (ranging from about 1 ½ to 2 inches or 3.81 to 5.08 cm). Flagstone slabs are cut into irregular flag-like shapes from which it got its popular name. Here are some tips on installing flagstones for patio and walkway.

• Flagstones can be used for any type of landscape designs, including formal landscaping home construction as well as informal designs.
• While buying any flagstone, its capacity of absorbing water should be considered as different types of flagstone absorb water differently.
• While installing flagstone, a slight slope with the grade should be there for adequate drainage and to prevent puddling.
• Before installing flagstones, it is always advisable to draw the walkway or patio design on paper which will make it easier to plan for drainage patterns, available space for length and width and such other considerations.
• Flagstones can be installed by laying pavers on bare ground, within pea gravel or sand beds, and with mortar.

Instructions for Installing Flagstone Flooring

The easiest method of laying flagstone walkways and patios is on bare ground or within a base material (pea gravel or sand). This is the cheapest method too.

• For bare ground flagstone installation, sections of sod should be removed to accommodate the chosen flagstone pavers. Additional couple of inches to the depth of the flagstone should also be removed for installing flagstone base material. The debris should be cleared and area must be smoothed.
• Fill the excavated area with about half of the selected base material.
• Now arrange the flagstones, starting with the largest one. Keep them as level as possible. Watch the spacing that should be within a comfortable stepping distance or about ½ - 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 cm) apart.
• If required do additional shaping or sizing with a chisel.
• Fill the gaps between pavers with the remaining pea gravel or sand. Apply it directly to the area and sweep into cracks. When finished, water it down to allow for settling and let it dry. Now fill in any empty joints and repeat the steps as required.

That's all and your beautiful flagstone flooring of patio or walkway is ready.

If installing a slate patio, watch and get some Unique Slate Patio Design Ideas