A Guide to Installing Flagstone Pavers
TIPS ON INSTALLING FLAGSTONE PAVERS...
| It is imperative that when installing flagstone pavers, all the necessary steps are taken in order to achieve a distinct and substantial outcome. The beauty of flagstone pavers is its ability to add elegance and style to different areas of your house such as walkways, patios and sidewalks. This is achieved by their varying colors, shapes, patterns and the natural stone look they possess. |  |
Methods of Installation
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Flagstone pavers can be installed in 3 different ways. The first method is to install flagstone pavers over bare ground, the second is to install the flagstone on a sand bedding, and the third is to install flagstone pavers over concrete. |
Materials Required
There is a step-by-step guide to the installation of flagstone pavers. But first, here is a list of the tools that will be needed throughout the installation process:
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It is recommended that a sketch of your flagstone installation plan be put on paper before the commencement of any excavation. This is to ensure that you are fully aware of what your end result will be as well as to help you in ordering the amount of flagstone pavers necessary to complete the task.
Base Preparation
The base preparation is the most important part of the entire installation process. Appropriate base material, compaction and thickness are vital to ensure that your installation last a significant amount of time.
Testing the soil grade of your site will determine the depth of the excavation necessary. Firm soil needs an excavation depth to allow for the sand, mortar and thickness of the paver. On the other hand, relatively moist soil will demand an extra few inches of topsoil for a base material course of either crushed stone or gravel.
Excavation
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Measure and mark out the area needed to be excavated. Once that has been done, excavate the necessary depth. Remember to ensure that a 2-inch thickness for the sand base is accounted for as well as the thickness of the flagstone paver over the base. |
Once that is complete, fill in the area with the base material (if necessary) and the sand base. Use either a hand tamper or plate compactor and firmly compact the gravel
base material. Note: best compaction occurs if compacted in 4” layers.
Laying the Flagstone Pavers
Lay out the paving stones in a small area at a time beginning in the corner. Place them onto the sand bed and tap them down approximately 1-1.5” using a wooden hammer.
| If you have decided to mortar you flagstone pavers, mix up your mortar and keep it consistently wet (wear gloves). Using a trowel, apply small batches of cement of approximately 1” thickness at a time and as stated before, place your stones hammer them into the mortar bed. |  |
When laying the stones, remember to allow a slight slope to allow for drainage. This can be done using a carpenter’s level. 1” per 38” of stone should be plenty to counter this water problem that may diminish the life of your pavers.
Once complete, allow the site to dry for 24 hours.
Joints
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After the setting is complete, spread sand evenly over the joints of the project and sweep sand into them until the joints are full. Sprinkle the joints with water and leave it to dry. Repeat this continuously until the joints are compacted and hard. |
Maintenance
Flagstone pavers are one of the most expensive pavers available. It is for this reason also that they require a special amount of care and maintenance. Sealants can be stains and enhancers that affect the color and texture of the stone. Otherwise, lack of care will ensure that nature adds a little of its own glaze with time.
