Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio

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A traditional flagstone patio can be a great addition to just about anybody's yard. The material is attractive and durable, and nicely complements a wide range of other landscaping features. Many varieties of stone are available at landscape and masonry outlets. Slate, a metamorphic rock, is one of the best-known types. Bluestone, which is cut in northeastern U.S. quarries, is what we used on this project. It's a sedimentary rock with a very engaging color. When installed, both types yield a relatively smooth, flat surface.

Yet another option is fieldstone, the rocks removed from the soil when land is cleared. Though truly distinctive when installed properly, its finished surface is much rougher than flat stones like slate and bluestone. Flat stones usually are sold in nominal thicknesses from 1 to 3 in. and in 6-in. width and length increments, starting at 12 x 12 in. and going up to 2 ft. 6 in. x 2 ft. 6 in. Anything larger or thicker is usually a special order. Prices vary substantially. We bought ours in upstate New York, where 1-in.-thick bluestone costs about $4 per square foot delivered.

Stonework can certainly be beautiful and can add value to your property. Unfortunately, it's not very easy to install. Most of the problems are in the material itself. Unlike consistent building units, like bricks or cast concrete pavers, natural stone comes in variable thicknesses. When you order nominal 1-in.-thick stones, for example, you get pieces that have one flat side but that vary in thickness from as little as 1/2 in. up to as much as 1-1/2 in. Because your goal is to create a finished surface that is as flat as possible, this means you have to custom fit the bottom of each stone in the sand base, which can be extremely time-consuming even after you get the hang of the job.

The material is also pretty heavy. One-in.-thick bluestone weighs about 14 pounds per square foot. That means that a 1-in.-thick, 2-ft. 6-in. square piece tips the scales at about 87 pounds, and a 2-in.-thick piece of the same dimensions weighs about 175 pounds. For most patios, 1-in. stone is fine. But if you plan to drive over the stone, you'll have to use material that's at least 2 in. thick. If installation speed and light work are important to you, then bricks or concrete pavers are probably the better choices.

15. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
I want to pour a concrete slab,then add flagstone on top to attach to our existing covered patio. How do you adjust for leveling the stones to grade? I've heard of using sand or mortar under the stone to set the stones to level. What would you recommend? ANY advice would be appreciate

14. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
I would like to build a stone patio about 10X10 and walkway we live close to the beach and our yard is all sand can you give me step by step instructions on the patio, walkway and how to build steps? Thank you, I really want to do the work myself but need lots of help to plan the project.

13. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
I am expanding a patio that I built with bluestone on sand several years ago. I'm afraid that my line of stones is not straight and that continuing will exagerate the error. Can I correct for this with the addition? Also, can I use just sand as a base instead of gravel and sand.

12. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
How do I build a flag stone patio on sand instead of cement?

11. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
how do i build a stone patio with a cement patio under it.

10. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
I will be building a 20 X 10 patio of natural gray stone, How many pieces will I need? Can I purchase the gravel and sand at Home Depot. Please advise.

9. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
Want to put bluestone over old patio concrete, plus add on to it to make it bigger,

8. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
Website: www.honeybeetexas.com
I've heard that pea gravel will stick at 1" but move at 3" or more? Is there any weight to that?

7. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
laying flagstone on existing concret patio - the patio has numerous hairline cracks

6. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
i have a cemented area. can i install blue stone with mortal?

5. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
need information on building a natural stone patio

4. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
i have a cemented area i would like to put slate over.can this be done by adding sand and proceeding ?

3. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
Website: www.earthstonestudio.com
It is great that people are using natural stone in diy projects. At www.earthstonestudio.com we have enjoyed seeing the projects that many home owners have been able to complete using natural stone.

2. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
PLEASE PROVIDE INFO AS HOW TO INSTALL STONE OR SLATE PATIOS

1. RE: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio
I would like to know the site prep to lay stone, and the different stone that can be ued

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