How to Build Flagstone Walkways

Flagstone is a common and decorative material to use for a walkway. Flagstone is colorful, durable and easy to work with. A walkway constructed with flagstone will withstand freezing and thawing without cracking or breaking like concrete or other materials can. Some flagstone shapes are irregular and laying them out for a walkway is much like putting a puzzle together; however, this can be the most interesting part of constructing the walkway.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Back brace
• Knee pads
• Spray paint
• Shovel
• Sod cutter
• Rake
• Plastic weed wrap
• Crushed limestone
• Lawn roller or power compactor
• Earplugs
• Safety goggles
• Hose and water

Instructions

1. Call your utility companies to mark electric, gas and water lines before you dig in your yard.

2. Spray paint the perimeters of your walkway to designate where you'll be working.

3. Dig out sod, rocks and a layer of dirt a few inches deep along the walkway path. Use a shovel or rent a sod cutter to gently remove the sod. Smooth the path with a rake. Super Home Ideas notes that this should be "a metal garden (not leaf) rake."

4. Place a layer of plastic weed wrap along the path to keep weeds from growing between flagstone pieces.

5. Pour a 2-inch layer of crushed limestone along the pathway. Crushed limestone will also keep weeds from growing.

6. Compress the limestone with a lawn roller or power compactor you've rented. If you use the compactor, protect your hearing with earplugs. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from any flying pieces of limestone.

7. Lay out the flagstone in a pleasing pattern with minimal gaps between the stones. Press the stones firmly in place with your hands. Fill spaces between the flagstone pieces with crushed limestone.

8. Water the flagstone walkway with a hose or sprinkler so the limestone will settle. Apply more limestone if needed to fill spaces that may appear, and water again.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear work gloves to protect your hands; a back brace to support your back when lifting flagstone pieces; and knee pads to protect your knees when laying the flagstone.

References

• Finehomebuilding.com: Laying a Flagstone Walkway
• Oregon Decorative Rock: How to Lay a Flagstone Path
• Super Home Ideas: How to Lay a Flagstone Walk in 8 Easy Steps