How to Make a Walk or Patio with Flagstone
Flagstone, a thin cut of sedimentary rock, develops in layers within the earth. These naturally flat slabs work well as paving stones for walkways and patios. A flagstone walkway or patio will support the weight of foot traffic and patio furniture without easily cracking and takes minimal physical effort to install. This project will add curb appeal and value to your home. The time it takes for you to complete this project will depend upon the intended size of your patio or walkway. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Dig out a trench or pit approximately 6 inches deep in which to place your flagstone patio or walkway. You can make the walkway or patio of any width and length that you prefer. For a patio, you will need to make this trench as close to level as possible; however, this is not always possible for a walkway, especially if the land you take it across has a slope.
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Tamp down the soil inside the dug-out area to create a strong foundation for the patio or walkway and prevent the surface from sinking in the future. Tamp the area down with your feet, a concrete block or a device known as a tamper that must be pounded against the earth to tighten the soil. To use the tamper, hold it by its handle and lift and drop the flat end of the device to flatten and pack the soil.
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Set the plastic edging into place at the exterior edges of the dug-out area and tamped down area to prevent the flagstone walkway or patio from spreading outwards due to the weight of foot traffic and erosion. Ideally you should use an edging measuring between 4 and 6 inches so that it does not stick out above the edges of the dug-out area.
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Lay a roll of plastic sheeting at the bottom of the area to prevent grass, weeds and other plants from growing up and through the walkway or patio. You may overlap the pieces of plastic sheeting or liner as necessary or use another type of gardening liner intended for this same purpose.
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Fill the dug-out area with sand, leaving only an inch of space at the top of the pit or trench. The amount of sand you must use for your project will depend upon the length and width of your patio or walkway. Once filled, smooth the sand down with an 8-foot-long board; any type of board will suffice for this step, though a 2-by-4 board will be easier to handle for this process.
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Start at one corner of the patio or walkway and begin placing the flagstones on top of the sand and between the plastic edging pieces. Tap the flagstones into place with a rubber mallet to create a level walkway or patio in which no stones are sticking up to trip on or stub bare toes against. Place the naturally shaped or cut stones into place with little room in between the edges and work your way from one end of the patio or walkway to the other.
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