Flagstone Paths and Patios
There’s a common idea that doing stonework is like making a puzzle. Somewhat. The pieces are much heavier and (happily) there’s no picture to follow. Masons do have the advantage of being able to hit the pieces that don’t fit with hammers. Flagstone patios and walkways are the most like puzzles because the stones only need to fit in one plane. Paving does not rely on stone on stone contact to maintain structural integrity. Careful distribution of sand or mortar under the stones ensures a stable walking surface. This gives the mason a chance to focus on joinery and the flow of the work.
Drystone flagging is bedded in sand or pea gravel. The substrate below the sand is compacted and shaped to properly drain. One of the many advantages of drystone flagging is the way rain can drain through it, as well as across it. All of the flagstone paths and patios shown below were built without mortar.
This day laid patio is made of big slabs of Virginia sandstone. Thyme, sedum and rounded river stones fill the joints.
This is another view of the same patio as above, in a section where the sedum have really taken off.
Three inch thick slabs of Tennessee flagstone make up a finely fitted front walkway to a residence in Flat Rock, North Carolina.
Hooper’s Creek quarried flagstone is mixed with pebbles and granite pawpaw leaves cut from reclaimed countertops.
This dry laid flagstone patio features Hooper’s Creek, cobbles assembled in a herringbone pattern, pebble details and a Cherokee millstone.
A multi-level patio leads to the entrance of an exclusive spa in downtown Asheville. This paving is dry laid with sand and fine gravel between the joints to solidify the big slabs of Virginia sandstone. To the left side of the porch there is a small wall of brick and stone, emphasizing the arts-and-crafts style of the bungalow.
This bird’s eye view of the above patio was taken from the front porch of the spa. The blue-gray stones to the right side of the image are the top steps of a very formal staircase that can be seen on the steps page.
Tightly fitted stones lead through a brick patio. Set on a well packed base of gravel and sand, this walkway is perfectly level and very stable underfoot.
A rustic stone path leads to a private garden on this East Asheville estate.