As you begin to plan your flagstone patio, take some time to consider what type of stone you want to use. You can use traditional flagstone, which is very attractive and comes in a variety of colors and shades and is typically laid in a “puzzle” fashion, with irregularly shaped stones being fitted together to create the patio or walkway. However, there are many other types of stone that can be used for a “flagstone” patio, which may be laid in a variety of patterns, from regular geometric patterns to irregular “crazy” paving, to combinations of stones and patterns that are almost unlimited.
You need good quality stone of the right thickness, because a well-laid patio can serve you well with little maintenance for several decades. It has to be able to bear traffic over the long term — for example, thin pieces of shale or sandstone won’t work because they can’t stand up to any kind of traffic or bear much weight without breaking. An area that will have heavy traffic quantity, or bear any amount of weight will need thicker stone and may require a concrete sub-base (this would apply to something like a flagstone driveway that takes vehicle traffic).
Climate should be considered, too. Double-check with your supplier to make sure the stone you want to use is appropriate for the weather conditions in your area. For example, a very porous stone may suffer in sub-zero weather; it absorbs moisture which can expand as it freezes and damage the stone. It is essential that some slope is built into the patio to insure proper drainage of water off the stone; this slope should always be away from buildings and other design elements — excess water should drain onto a lawn or driveway, etc.
Safety is also a factor when choosing stone for building you your patio. If you live in a climate with freezing temperatures in winter you should also consider what the patio surface will be like during freeze/thaw cycles, or when ice-covered. It might be helpful to choose stone with a textured surface in that case. Some patio stone comes with a non-slip surface already, so that it won’t be dangerous when it it wet. Ask your stone supplier about that.
You can plan to use a non-salt product to spread when it’s icy. Volcanic ash is a very good anti-slip product; it will not damage your stone, or animal paws, or your floor if it gets tracked in the house. The leftover can be swept off the patio onto the lawn or flowerbed in the spring without causing problems. The ash is much more expensive to purchase than salt, compared pound for pound, but it goes much farther and the other benefits far outweigh the cost.
Remember, you’re not finalizing your design just now. You’re looking to come up with a general feeling of what you want so that you can start looking for stone that is suitable and start budgeting. Realizing that you have lots of choices available, you can start to have some fun with your initial design ideas. Then it’s time to start thinking about where you are going to build your flagstone patio. Because choosing the right location is essential if you want to have a patio that will be used and enjoyed every day.