Flagstones are thin flat stones, either man made or from creek beds and quarries, that are often used in patios and walkways. They are durable (able to handle climates and not susceptible to freezing and thawing) and effective, but difficult to use because of their small size. The money you save by building a flagstone patio yourself, however, is significant given the rather simple processes and the expense of hiring a contractor.

The filling material for flagstone patios is flexible. Sand, bark and moss, and virtually anything else can be used to fill the cracks between the stones. The material, then, should become a part of your design. Bark and moss, for example, will give your patio a natural look, while sand gives it a more modern feel.

Vines can be used to cover and decorate your patio, and retaining walls can be used to keep slopes in place. Also, be sure to keep the view in mind when designing, and use vegetables and stone formation to enhance and block certain views.

Once you’ve decided on your design, here’s how you actually install a flagstone patio:

1. Begin b y excavating dirt to six inches, and completely level throughout. This requirement is more stringent than the requirement for pavers, but since flagstones are smaller, this is necessary.
2. Lay the slabs on a base. A good one to use is 5 part sand and 1 part mortar. Again, make sure that the slabs are all even, and be careful not to walk on the slabs already placed.
3. Fill the cracks. This can be done with a variety of materials (as described above). For example, we can brush the entire area with dry mortar to fill the cracks.
4. Putting the flagstone together is more challenging than pavers due to the lack of fit. When designing be sure to mark where each piece goes (perhaps by putting them on the ground first, and labeling them as you take them off the ground), as this will save lots of time and energy at the end.
5. That’s it! You’re done!

Pools are a great area to use flagstone since they are immune to water and can withstand weight. Furthermore, they are not slippery and are relatively cool – though not as cool as pavers.

A tip of caution: stones laid in sand will have to be readjusted over the years, and you will need to keep adding sand to keep the desired level constant. If you can’t stand working on this project after its finished, use another filler.

If the patio is going to be against a house, ensure that the surface slopes away from the house.