How to Make a Flagstone Paver Path
Flagstone is one of the most beautiful paving types available for walkways and patios. It also has many practical advantages over other paving types. Flagstone is a dense stone that resists damage from the freeze-thaw cycle and holds up well under heavy use. It is also naturally slip-resistant. Building your own flagstone walk will not only enhance your property but also provide you with years of enjoyment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Lay out the perimeter of your walk. Use stakes, string, chalk line or even a garden hose to outline where your walk will be.
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Excavate and level the area. Allow for the thickness of the flagstone plus one inch. This will allow for a two-inch sand bedding and keep the finished walk one inch above the surrounding lawn. Two-inch-thick flagstone would require a three-inch excavation.
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Install edging. This will help maintain a defined border for your walk. Use wood, concrete, stone or plastic edging. Allow for a finish grade that is one inch above the surrounding terrain. Use a level to keep each side the same height.
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Lay weed fabric. This will help contain the sand layer as well as prevent dormant seeds or roots from growing up through the flagstone. Overlap any seams in the fabric by four inches.
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Install a two-inch sand bed. The sand layer helps level the flagstone and compensates for any differences in stone thickness.
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Lay the flagstone. Start in one corner and lay out a small area ahead of where you are working to determine the stone pattern. Irregular flagstone should fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Gently twist each piece back and forth to settle it into the sand about one inch deep, or use a rubber mallet to tap it into place. Periodically lay a board or handle of your shovel across the walk between the edging to check if the walk surface is even. Narrow walks should be level. Wide walks can slope slightly to allow for water drainage.
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Pour sand over the joints between the stones and sweep until the joints are full. Compact the sand by sprinkling with water. Allow the sand to dry and then repeat the process until the sanded joints are full and well-compacted.
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Tips & Warnings
On loose soils, a compacted base course of stone or gravel under the fabric will increase the stability and longevity of your walk.
If building a walk without edging, mortar the flagstone in place to keep it from shifting.
Small pieces of flagstone can be chipped off to help the pavers fit together better.
Wear safety glasses when chipping stone.
References
- Photo Credit Steinpflaster image by MIR from Fotolia.com
