Tips for a Perfect Flagstone Patio

A flagstone patio is one of the most interesting and creative way to renovate your garden yard or lawn. With the use of granite flagstones, you can make a perfect setting for a patio furniture set, a serene place to relax and commune with nature as well as make a maintenance-free outdoor setting that will stand the test of time.

If you want a flagstone patio to be perfect, here are some tips to follow:

1. Probably the most labor intensive part of the project is digging out your flagstone patio foundation. Aside from just scooping out dirt, rocks and soil, you need to make sure that you dig deep enough. Considering you will use flagstone, you won’t just use sand, you need a multi layer foundation to keep the stones in place. The ideal layers are crushed stone before a couple of inches of sand and then the patio stones are placed.

2. Make sure you are not digging too deep or digging anywhere there is plumbing or ground wire. Therefore, appropriate planning for the flagstone patio is needed and not just an ordinary weekend whim.

3. Compact the soil very well with the use of a hand tamper, you can also rent out a machine or equipment that can compact the soil for you. Add the first layer of crushed stone and then the layer of sand evenly.

4. Spread the flagstone evenly as well starting from the middle part of the project with the widest and the flattest stone. It does not matter really if the stones are right side up or not since granite flagstones are beautiful in every angle. Work your way from the middle to the edge of the project carefully placing each stone close to each other as possible.

5. Sweep the area clean with a large broom. With a rubber mallet, tap the stones into place and fill the gaps with more sand. Have an extra bag of sand handy as days go by when your flagstone patio has settled; you may need more sand to fill in the gaps between the stones.