what is a good complement to a flagstone patio?
Joe Webb
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (31)
Joe Webb
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Help on dry set bed for flagstone patio
Comments (1)Let's start by talking about just what 'gravel' is. The term seems to find a variety of definitions around the country, so before we talk about your issue, it might be useful to let you know what 'gravel' is around here in New England, then you can decide is what you have is similar. 'Gravel' is a well graded, hard, durable, and natural sand and gravel, containing no organic (loamy) soils. It's free draining, which means water will readily pass through it. And it has a natural moisture content that lends to it's ability to be compacted to a very dense and hard consistency. Now, if that's what your dealing with, what does that mean to you? It means that if what you excavated from the hole is more organic, loamy, or silty in nature, and not completely mineral soils (like gravel), then you need something else to use as a base, and dispose of that which you 'dug out'. If what you've purchased is similar to the description above, having no stones larger than an a half inch or so, then it will make an acceptable base for your patio. The caveat here is that whatever you use, it needs to be both free-draining, and it needs to be very well compacted, preferably using a vibratory plate compactor, so that when you walk on it, pretty much nothing moves. Sand, by itself, as a base material, does not lend itself to deep compacted layers. Look at the stuff closely, and you will see that the particles are rather rounded in nature, and even thought the particles are small, they will react to compaction much like marbles, and ultimately they can move. In the construction industry, gravel, while capable of being readily compacted to an acceptable base, isn't what the pros will lean towards due to the inclusion of stones up to and including an inch and a half or so, and they don't want to spend the time picking them out. So, what does the industry use? More often than not, and depending on location, paver and bluestone bases are contructed of either crushed gravel, or crushed stone, or what is called crusher-run. Crushed gravel is natural gravel that has been 'processed' to eliminate stones that are too large by crushing them, and yet not requiring a sieve to pick them out of the material. Crushed stone is just that, a by-product of a quarrying operation that is crushed and then processed through a series of sieves to separate the particles by size, eliminating any and all fine particles, and creating uniformly graded products from 1/4" crushed stone up to 6" crushed stone. Crusher-run is another by-product of a quarrying operation, where stone is crushed and processed only to insure that no particle is larger than about one inch or so, with everything after the crushing operation left in the mix. When crushed stone is used, it is on the smaller end, 1/2" or so. Beyond that, compaction isn't an option. Crushed gravel and crusher-run can be more densely compacted as the particles within are all pretty much angular, and will fill just about all available space within the layer when compacted by machine. Sand and stone dust are used as a setting bed, no more than 1" to 2" thick, compacted, and then screeded to level. Bluestone, flagstone, or pavers are set on top of that. The dust and the sand can be worked by hand within the area of each stone in order to achieve a level final paver or stone surface. In your case, if you already have the gravel, it's free of large stones, you can likely use it, compact it, and place a layer of sand or dust on top as the setting bed. The keys really are....free-draining, free of large stones, and very well compacted. The material choice to fit that bill has a number of choices....See MoreGood ground cover to fill gaps in flagstone patio
Comments (1)How deep is the sand- in other words how far down is viable soil?...See MoreNot Flagstone or Blue Stone due to co$t then good option?
Comments (6)We just had the same dilemma, except our upcharge was more than yours. We went with stained concrete and then had them cut the stress lines in as a diamond pattern. I am so happy with it - it's concrete but it really doesn't give that off at all. I'm surprised how pleased I am with it! I was expecting to be kind of ho hum about it hah....See MoreNeed idea for pool deck to match/complement existing patio
Comments (3)We were in a similar situation. We have a gray stamped concrete patio (block pattern). We put in a light tan color Koolcrete (sp?) that's what it was called when we had it installed. On the link below they call it Frontier Desert Deck (don't know if it's the same product but a different name) It looks similar we have the Sand Buff Color. Looks good, stays cool, cleans up well. It's been installed for approx. 3 1/2 years. I would use it again. Here is a link that might be useful: frontier desert colors (scroll down)...See MoreTara
2 years agoJoe Webb
2 years agoWestCoast Hopeful
2 years agoJoe Webb
2 years agoJoe Webb
2 years agoK Laurence
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agomojavemaria
2 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agobtydrvn
2 years agobtydrvn
2 years agobtydrvn
2 years agobtydrvn
2 years agobtydrvn
2 years agoFori
2 years agoK Laurence
2 years agocalidesign
2 years agobtydrvn
2 years ago
Related Stories
PATIOSPatio Details: Good-bye Cracked Concrete, Hello Lush Garden
A San Francisco couple replace an old parking space with a barefoot-friendly outdoor retreat for eating, entertaining and play
Full StoryPATIOSPatio Details: A Shaded Patio Opens Up the View in Wine Country
A Douglas fir and metal pergola offers shelter from the hot sun on this scenic California property
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGPave the Way to Landscape Style With Flagstone
Define a patio, build a path, make a fire pit ... learn about flagstone's many uses, plus costs and considerations, here
Full StoryMIDCENTURY HOMESHouzz Tour: Pursuing the Good Outdoor Life in Palos Verdes
With a refinished patio and an added deck, these homeowners can enjoy the abundant California sunshine
Full StoryBACKYARD IDEASWhat to Know About Installing a Stone Patio
Planning to add a stone patio to your landscape next year? Here’s what to consider before getting started
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN9 Fresh Concrete Patio Ideas for Yards of All Styles
This versatile flooring material can enhance landscapes in unexpected ways
Full StoryPATIOSPatio Details: Covered Dining Area Extends a Family’s Living Space
Large sliding glass doors connect a pergola-covered terrace with a kitchen and great room in Seattle
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNHow to Look Good From Any Angle (the Garden Edition)
Does your garden pique interest from one vista but fall flat from another? These tips and case-study landscapes can help
Full StoryPATIOSThese 3 Patios Make an Unsexy Technical Detail Cool
How can you keep rain from pooling on your patio? With clever style, as these designers prove
Full StoryMOST POPULARFind the Right Glass Door for Your Patio
It’s more than just a patio door — it’s an architectural design element. Here’s help for finding the right one for your home and lifestyle
Full Story
Memphis Forrest