How to Install a Flagstone Patio on a Sand Bed

There are several different material choices when it comes to building a new patio, including concrete, brick and tile. But flagstone offers a great flexibility, especially when it is built on a sand bed. You can set flagstone in mortar, but the process can be time consuming. Also, if you change your mind about the patio or set a stone incorrectly, it will be difficult to reverse your work. Flagstone on a sand bed is a more laid back approach, and can be accomplished in a day or two depending on the patio size.

Things You'll Need

• Flagstones
• Sand
• Gravel
• Landscape fabric
• Wooden stakes
• Twine
• Shovel
• Power tamper
• Wood, 2-inch thick piece
• Wooden screed
• Rubber mallet
• Garden hose
• Broom

Instructions

1. Measure out the dimensions for the patio and place wooden stakes at each corner of the site. Connect the stakes together with twine or string. All excavation will take place within this bordered area.

2. Excavate the area and dig to the necessary depth. You will need the area to be deep enough to accommodate approximately 4 inches of gravel and 2 inches of sand.

3. Pour the gravel over the entire excavated site. Then use a power tamper to pack the gravel. The power tamper will help to create a flat surface over the area.

4. Cover the gravel with a landscape fabric. This fabric is used to stop weeds from popping up below the surface. The fabric comes in rolls, and will need to be rolled out over the surface. Lay out one row and then move on to the next, making sure to overlap the fabric about 6 inches. It is not necessary, but the fabric can be tacked down with wire stakes.

5. Place a 2-inch thick piece of lumber on top of the landscape fabric. This will help when pouring the sand. Once the lumber is just covered with sand, you will know that you have 2 inches of sand in the area. Remove the 2-inch thick piece of lumber, and lightly wet down the sand with a garden hose. Then use another piece of wood to screed the sand, making sure that the area is smooth and intact.

6. Perform a dry run of the flagstone placement. Place the flagstones in the desired positions on the grass next to your excavated site. Then mimic that placement on the sand bed.

7. Place each flagstone on top of the sand bed and use a rubber mallet to gently pound the stones into the sand. Use a straightedge to make sure that all of the neighboring stones are level.

8. Cover the entire patio with sand once all of the flagstones are in place. Sweep the sand across the patio with a broom to fill in the joints between the stones. Spray more water over the site to compact the sand. Then add more dry sand later as needed until the stones are securely in place.

References

• "The Complete Guide to Patios: Plan, Build and Maintain"; Philip Schmidt; 2007
• "Start-To-Finish Patios"; Meredith Books; 2004