One of the best materials available for use in walkways and patios is flagstone. The reason why it is such a great choice for homeowners in the northeastern states is that it allows water to permeate through the stone instead of just running right off, providing a natural slip-resistant walkway or patio that will look great and last for many years to come.
Flagstone is one of the more durable natural stone materials, providing homeowners with three common types of stone, including slate, limestone and sandstone. Choose from very natural and organic shades and tones in a variety of blues, grays, browns and reds, depending on your home and the colors of your garden.
Why Choose Flagstone Stepping Stones
When it comes to choosing materials for a brand new patio or walkway, flagstone is chosen more often than other materials due to its natural look, inherent durability and ability to customize through natural, rich color variations available at your local materials store. J&J Materials, which serves customers throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, has a wide array of materials to help you in laying and grouting flagstone in Middleborough or anywhere else throughout the SouthCoast region.
Another advantage to choosing to do a flagstone patio installation or create a flagstone walkway is that it can be laid dry to create an instant permeable surface. Most other types of natural stone and pavers require a lot more work to install properly, while flagstone is just one of the easiest materials to work with – even for the novice DIY homeowner. In addition, a flagstone walkway or patio can be further customized by planting a hardy ground cover, grass or moss between the stones, depending on your location and needs.
How to Install a Flagstone Walkway
One of the easiest projects to do using flagstone stepping stones is to learn how to install a flagstone walkway. Today we will provide you with a six-step process that will help you create a beautiful flagstone path for your home or garden. It is so easy that anyone can do it and can get it done in just a weekend.
Step One – Start by installing a basic bender board edging around the area that you want the path to be built. You can also put down landscaping fabric underneath the area that the path will be to prevent weed growth. Make sure to secure the fabric under the edging of the bender board.
Step Two – Pour a layer of sand on top of the landscape fabric. This should be about two inches deep and it needs to be raked down smooth. If you get a lot of rain and require extra drainage, put a two-inch thick layer of gravel down first before laying the sand.
Step Three – Use a garden hose set on “fine” to lightly moisten the sand as you rake it into place.
Step Four – Pack the sand down and make it firm, using a hand tamper or a drum roller. You will need to pass over this layer several times in order to get it packed down correctly.
Step Five – Add in your flagstone stepping stones. Wiggle each one in carefully to make sure that it is properly embedded into the sand.
Step Six – Fill in all of the cracks that are between the flagstone stepping stones with some type of filler. One of the best materials for grouting flagstone in Middleborough is gravel or a smaller, fine grade of decomposed granite, depending on the look you are going for in your flagstone walkway.
Now you know how to install a flagstone walkway. Speak with your salesperson or customer service staff at J&J Materials for even more suggestions on using natural flagstone stepping stones to create beautiful walkways or for flagstone patio installation tips.
Ideas for Flagstone Patio Installation in Southeastern Massachusetts
Now that you have learned how to install a flagstone walkway and have used your beautiful flagstone stepping stones in your garden, you are probably ready to learn more about flagstone patio installation. Flagstone is a natural stone that can be used to create a beautiful patio, in either a formal or informal pattern. Irregular flagstones can be set at random to create an informal, natural patio look. Flagstone stepping stones can also be cut into a specific shape and be laid into a specific pattern for a neater, more formal appearance.
Grouting flagstone in Middleborough for a flagstone patio installation is very similar to what was done in the steps for how to install a flagstone walkway. Grouting can be made from gravel or other colored stone that is then used to fill in the space between the flagstone stepping stones or cut stones, if making a specific pattern. Make sure that you create a level area for easy and stable use of patio chairs and tables, if you will be adding them. Consider adding plants between flagstones to soften the look of the patio. Moss, dichondra, mint, sedum, baby tears and other types of hardy grasses and ground covers will work.
If your flagstone patio installation isn’t as even as you would like it to be, speak with one of the experts at J&J Materials or ask for a reference to a professional who can help you make it level. In some cases, the flagstone stepping stones can become uneven due to a deep freeze that causes the ground to heave underneath the patio or walkway and in other cases it can be due to improper installation. While it is easy to learn how to install a flagstone walkway or do a flagstone patio installation, if you aren’t confident in your abilities, you can always hire a professional installer to get the job done right.
Where to Get Flagstone Stepping Stones in Middleborough
If you live in the Middleborough, Massachusetts area, or anywhere in the SouthCoast region, contact J&J Materials for all of your natural stone and landscaping materials needs. With a huge delivery area that spans from Rhode Island on out to the Cape, J&J Materials can help you get the flagstone stepping stones and grouting materials you need to build the beautiful, winding flagstone walkway or cozy flagstone patio of your dreams.
