Flagstone Ideas

Create a variety of outdoor features with flagstone.

Flagstone is a type of natural stone you can use to construct a variety of outdoor features. The benefit of using flagstone is that it comes in different shades so you can either use a group of flagstone pieces with a uniform shade or a group with varying colors.

Patios

Flagstones have moderately flat surfaces, so they are excellent for creating an outdoor patio space. Standard flagstones do not have one shape like bricks, so assembling a patio with flagstones is a lot like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Because standard flagstone pieces do not align perfectly, use a mortar underneath and between flagstones to keep them in place and create filler between the stones.

If you prefer to use stone pieces with the same shape, use bluestone, which is a type of flagstone that has a rectangular or square shape. Because this form of flagstone has flat sides, you can butt each stone's side wall up against the next and eliminate the need for mortar. To install this type of stone, carve out a space in the ground the exact size you want the patio so the outer stones, which rest against the ground wall, hold the other stones in place and prevent them from shifting.

Walkways

Create a flagstone walkway for just about any purpose; they are suitable as a sidewalk entry to your front door or as a pathway to a flagstone patio. Create a flagstone walkway using the same method as a flagstone patio with any type of flagstone you want. Flagstone is a wonderful choice for walkways because the textured surface does not become slippery when muddy or wet, allowing you and your guests to walk on it safely.

Planters

Flagstone is an ideal material for creating planters around your home or yard because you can find pieces that are long, flat and rectangular. They stack like bricks but, because they are not uniform in size, they do not require a mortar to stay together; their varying lengths create a natural interlocking system. You can still use mortar to secure the planter's stability; mortar is also helpful for the top row of flagstones on the planter because it holds them in place in the event of high winds or other extreme weather conditions.

References

• Pacific Stonescape Inc.: How To Mortar Set a Flagstone Patio or Walkway
• Patio Ideas Guide: Stone Patio Ideas
• Stone Creek Landscape: Natural Flagstone Planter