How to Lay a Natural Bluestone Patio
Bluestone is typically a hard stone with a steel blue color, and is a common name given to several types of rock such as slate and basalt found all over the world, including the United States. The stones referred to by this name are considered quite durable and are often used for patio surfaces. If you are considering building an outdoor living area, try using bluestone for the flooring. It will give the area a more subtle, natural look that blends with the outdoors. The installation process it fairly straightforward and can be completed within a day or two if working alone, and even quicker if you have help. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Wood stakes
- String
- Shovel
- Level
- Crushed gravel
- Compactor
- Course sand
- Bluestone
- Wet saw
- Carbide tip blade
- Broom
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure out how large you want the patio area and mark the corners by tapping stakes in the ground. Run string between the stakes to outline the area for the bluestone patio.
-
2
Scoop off any grass with a shovel and set it aside. You may be able to use it in the yard to fill in bare spots. Since you are going to dig down to build up a sturdy sub-surface, you might as well reuse grass if it is healthy. If you already have a concrete patio, you can install stone on top of it, but you will need to mix up a mortar to attach the stone to the concrete.
-
-
3
Dig the area out with a flat edge shovel down to a depth of 6 inches plus the bluestone thickness. If building the patio near a structure, you want to create a slope in the soil so the patio surface will slope when it is installed. A 1/4-inch slope every 4 feet will do. Use a 4-foot level to check the slant of the dirt. Raise the level up 1/4 of an inch and make note of where the bubble is located in the tube. This indicates a 1/4-inch slope.
-
4
Fill the space with 4 inches of gravel and tamp it down with a compactor. Walk behind the compactor and push it across the surface in rows. Check the slope and add or remove gravel where needed. Repeat with a 2-inch layer of sand.
-
5
Place the bluestones in the space. Leave a 1/4-inch gap between stones. If you are working with unevenly shaped stones, try to match edges as best you can, similar to putting together a puzzle. If working with cut flat edged stone, line them up in rows and columns. They may be place so that the gaps line up or are staggered. Obtain the bluestone for the project at landscape supply places like nurseries, garden centers and home improvement stores.
-
6
Cut bluestone as needed to fit at the edges. Measure the space minus any 1/4-inch gaps that are needed. Transfer the measurement to the stone and make a mark for cutting. Cut along the lines with a wet saw. The wet saw will cut through the hard surface without getting to hot.
-
7
Dump sand on the surface of the patio and sweep it into the gaps with a broom, add more if needed, until the gaps are filled evenly with the stone surface. Spray the patio with water to wash off excess sand and settle it between the cracks. The sand will dry within an hour or so, but the patio can be used right away.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear eye protection while cutting the stone.
Add edging to stabilize the patio edges. This isn't required, but will help keep them from shifting over time. Place the edging up against the stones. Tap the edging stakes through the anchor holes and into the ground at a slight angle to secure it.
If placing the stones on a concrete surface instead of building up a surface in the ground, mix up a mortar to spread on the surface and place the stones on top of it. Work in small areas so the mortar doesn't dry before you install the stone. Use a trowel to spread the mortar and set the stone down as you would on the sand. Get a mortar filler bag, similar to a cake frosting bag but bigger. Use it to fill mortar in between the gaps in the stones, and then flatten the gap mortar flat with a trowel.
