So You Want A Flagstone Patio?

Beautiful Oklahoma Flagstone Patio done by Graves Landscaping of Rockwall, TX.  

Have you been debating on adding a flagstone patio to your home?  They can be not only beautiful but extremely useful as well.  There are a lot of things to consider before installing a patio of any kind at your home.  Let's get to it!

Massive and gorgeous Oklahoma Flagstone Patio which was installed by local company Darquea Home Improvements.

First and foremost, where is the location of your future patio?  Is is right out your backdoor?  If so, you will want a concrete pad professionally poured first regardless of what you decide.  Whoa, wait, what?!  Sorry but this is the best option.  Flagstone can be put on the top later if the cost is a problem to do it at the same time.  Why concrete?  Because you will want to spray or hose off your patio.  If you use gravel, decomposed granite, or sand...what a mess if hosing it down.  Also keep in mind that kids or pets will be tracking in decomposed granite and so forth as it will stick to shoes when wet!  Gravel will just be kicked around and sand will wash away and create the largest mess you have ever seen.  This is why concrete is so important.  It will make the upkeep little to nothing and cleaning easy.

Before stone overlay on concrete slab.

After the stone has been installed.  Stone work done by The Patient Gardener of Rockwall, TX.

But what about using a base of sand and then putting mortar between the rocks?  You can do this but it will not last.  The ground shifts too much and will crack the mortar.  Plus, the sand under the stone will not hold too long.  Eventually your patio will begin to sink in places.
**This is advice for the North Texas area.  The soil is clay and is notorious for shifting a lot depending on the amount of moisture or rain.**
 It is worth the money to hire someone who can form up and pour a concrete pad where you want it.  They will also need to tie it in to any existing pad you may already have and or the foundation if the patio will run along the length of your home.  Having this done correctly is unbelievably important so you will not run across future problems.  It may be a bit more money than you had originally wanted to spend but believe me, it is an investment you will not regret.  And remember, you can always put the flagstone over the top at a later time in order to stay in budget.

Concrete is not always necessary of course!  Some people may want to extend a patio, create a courtyard, install a patio around a fire pit area, and so on.  There are a lot of different options as far as flagstone choices, joint filler (or the stuff between the stones), and materials to use as a base.  If you are on a budget, no fear, it is still doable.  You can install a flagstone patio yourself or hire it done.  Now, lets talk price and options!

Oklahoma Flagstone and Decomposed Granite fire pit area installed by Cut-N-Edge.

Oklahoma Flagstone with Decomposed Granite done by Graves Landscaping.

Decomposed Granite, Oklahoma Flagstone, and Oklahoma Ledge (used for the edges) make up this cute patio extension with a fire pit.  Installed by Above and Beyond Landscaping.

Something to ask yourself is how much traffic will your patio see?  It is recommended to use at least 1.5" thick flagstone up to a 2" thick flagstone.  Flagstone is sold by weight (the ton).  The thinner it is, the more expensive it is.  This is because you will get more square footage out of the thinner size as it weighs less.

**1 ton = 2,000 pounds**

• 1" minus Oklahoma Flagstone covers roughly 120 square feet per ton (this should only be used to go over a concrete pad or it may break) $285/ton
• 1.5" Oklahoma Flagstone covers roughly 100 square feet per ton $265/ton
• 2" Oklahoma Flagstone covers roughly 80 square feet per ton $245/ton

The coverage is a rough estimate and based on placing them fairly close together.  If you use grass between the joints of your flagstone, you will get more coverage because the spacing will need to be farther apart.  There are other types of flagstone besides the Oklahoma but this has a large variety of colors and textures to choose from and is the most popular.  

Pallets of Oklahoma Flagstone located at Classic Rock Stone Yard in Rockwall, TX.

Once you have measured the square footage of your patio the next step would be getting a base for the flagstone prepared.  Typically the area will need dug out.  Some people rent a sod remover to help with this task.  Whether you need to remove or build up, it is important to have something bordering the edges of your patio to hold the base in.  If you dig deep enough the sod or grass can act as the edge.  If not, you can use something such as metal edging, stone, or pavers for a boarder.   The most popular item typically used for a base is the decomposed granite which can also be used for the joints.    It is sold by the yard (27 cubic feet in 1 yard).  Gravel, sand, and road base can also be used.  (Sand is not the best idea...it tends to run out from under the rocks and your patio will start to sink.) A good rule of thumb is to figure is about 2" deep.

 Decomposed Granite located at Classic Rock Stone Yard.

An area built up with Decomposed Granite and then edged with Oklahoma Ledge Stone.  Oklahoma Flagstone was then placed on top with more Decomposed Granite filling the joints.

Once the material is in the area and spread, tamping it is important.  If you do not tamp it, parts your patio will end up sinking and be un-level.  Having a packed down sturdy base is very important! Not much material will be needed for the joints or in between the flagstone once it is laid out.  Again, decomposed granite is a popular choice.  When it has been sprayed/wet down or rained on, it will actually harden.  It works well since it stays in place a lot better than other materials, not to mention it looks nice!  This is why is also makes a fine base.  Decomposed granite costs more than the sand, gravel, or road base BUT, it is a better choice in most cases.  Decomposed Granite runs about $95/yard where most gravels and sands run in the $65/yard range.

There are other ways to do a patio but these are just a list of the most common and successful ways to make your patio a good solid one.  Need help with or names of contractors?  Give us a
call 214-771-0002 or shoot over an email.  Have any other tricks or tips to add?  Let us know in the comments!