How to Install Flagstone Pathways
Flagstone pathways are an ideal way to improve the look of outdoor living spaces. Flagstone pathways are designed in a variety of ways according to the aesthetic needs of the homeowner. A flagstone pathway can lead to the front door, outdoor water feature or wrap around the home to keep visitors off a prized lawn. Flagstone pathways that are at least 30 inches wide will provide a comfortable and functional walkway. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Square spade
- Walkway edging
- Landscaping fabric or newspaper
- Gravel
- Sand
- Rake
- Water
- Decomposed granite or pea gravel
Instructions
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1
Remove the grass or sod where the new pathway will be with a square spade. Line the edges of the pathway with bender-board or walkway edging. Installing the edging will be easier if you create a channel along both sides of the pathway. You can create a channel by removing one inch of dirt down the length of the pathway with a square spade.
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2
Lay landscaping fabric or recycled newspaper down the length of the pathway to form a weed block. Tuck the edges under the walkway edging to effectively block the future growth of weeds.
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3
Spread two inches of gravel over the weed block. Rake the gravel smooth. Spread two inches of coarse sand on top of the gravel. The gravel provides a stabilizer for the sand and will keep the sand inside the pathway during rainy weather. Spray a fine mist over the top of the sand. Tamp the sand smooth and level with a hand tamper.
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4
Place the flagstone along the pathway. Wiggle the flagstones to help embed them. Place decomposed granite or pea gravel in the cracks between the flagstones.
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Tips & Warnings
Flagstone needs to be 1.25 inches thick to be suitable for pathways.
Omit the weed block for pathways that will have grass growing between the cracks by design.
Use mulch instead of decomposed granite for an organic look.
The ground must be level to prevent cracked stones and tripping hazards.
Edging keeps gravel that could cause mowing hazards out of the lawn.
