Different Types of Flagstone

When it comes to building hardscapes, flagstone is a popular option found in many backyards. However, flagstone is not a particular type of rock, it is a method of cutting and quarrying rocks. Flagstone can be made from many different types of sedimentary rock that is naturally layered. The cut pieces of these layers make the flags that are excellent for paving and other projects. Here are some of the popular types of flagstone that are used in many hardscape projects.

Travertine

The weathered, pitted look of travertine is popular for flagstone projects. Travertine is a compacted limestone that comes grays, browns, tans and bluish-grays, valued for its cool surface that is perfect for pool decks and pavement in warm regions.

Slate

The blue, gray, copper and green variations of slate can add variety to paved surfaces and walls. This metamorphic rock is best when sealed to prevent staining.

Bluestone

Like its name, bluestone is a sandstone that tends to be blue or grayish in color. It is a denser form of sandstone that can handle colder temperatures. Bluestone is a non-slip paving stone that must be sealed to preserve the natural color.

Sandstone

The less dense sandstone often found in Arizona or the southwest is porous and better used in dry, warmer regions. The colors range from beige and reds to softer pastels like pink and shades of beige. The surface stays cool but should be sealed to prevent staining.

If you are looking for a paving stone for your walkway, patio, pool deck or entry, there are many different types of flagstone available. Visit your local quarry to see the different flagstone options available to find the best rock type for your project.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

Benefits of Using Flagstone for Home Improvement

Natural stone is very popular in both indoor and outdoor home improvements and new homes. There are many different varieties to choose from, each with their own benefits and uses. One option is natural flagstone, quarried from sedimentary stone in layers. These flat stones are ideal for paving, which is one of the most common uses for this particular stone. However, since there are many other stones that can also be used as pavers, why choose flagstone? Here are some of the benefits of using flagstone:

  • Flat, non-slip surface. Flagstone is perfect for outdoor areas where moisture is present. The flat, non-slip surface provides a safe, easy surface to walk on, even when it is wet.
  • Durability and easy maintenance. Flagstone, like most natural stone, is durable and easy to maintain. After spending hundreds or thousands of years in the elements, it can last for many more years in your backyard without need for special maintenance.
  • Unique style. Flagstone comes in a variety of colors and shapes, allowing you to create a unique style. Each stone is different, ensuring no one will have the same exact patio or walkway at their home.
  • Natural paving. Want a patio, driveway or walkway that has a natural appeal? Flagstone is perfect. This stone works well without mortar; you can plant moss or grass between the stones for a natural paved surface that allows for easy water run-off.

Few materials are as versatile and beautiful as flagstone. If you are planning a new stone project for your home, consider the benefits of using flagstone for a stunning look that will last for decades.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
1968 US-41
Pelham, TN 37366
(423) 930-8249

5 Great Uses for Tennessee Flagstone

Tennessee flagstone is a beautiful material that can be used for many different projects around your home. This durable material offers a natural beauty that artificial stone cannot match, with every stone being completely unique. Tennessee flagstone can be used both inside and outdoors for durable surfaces. Here are five great ideas for using this material around your home.

  1. New patio. Flagstone is ideal for paving and creating a gorgeous patio for your home. The irregular shapes make a unique pattern that blends well into a natural setting. It is also easy to maintain and can last for decades.
  2. Create a natural stone stairway down a hillside or slope with flagstone treads that ideal for outdoor steps. It is a great do-it-yourself project to make it easier to go up and down your hillside.
  3. Tennessee flagstone is a wonderful material for making a memorable walkway to your front door or through your gardens.
  4. Fireplace or fire pit. Make a delightful fireplace or fire pit from flagstone, for either your living room or outdoor living space. Flagstone is perfect for adorning the outside of your mantel or fire pit area.
  5. Driveways. Want to impress the neighbors? Choose Tennessee Flagstone to pave your driveway for an upscale option for your home. This beautiful addition will add value to your home and make your driveway the envy of the neighborhood.

Want more ideas on how to use flagstone around your home? Visit your local quarry that offers Tennessee flagstone for more ideas on how to include this gorgeous natural stone in your home design, inside and out.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
Whitwell, TN 37397
423-930-8249

Create Beautiful, Natural Stone Stairs

Natural stone stairways can be an excellent addition to any hill or slope on your property. With little construction needed, they are quick way to add an easy pathway on difficult to navigate ground.  The right landscape supplier can even provide you with stone stair treads, which are uniformly cut and ready to become a beautiful new stairway.

Installing New Stone Stairs

Stone stairways offer a natural solution to adding a path down steep slopes or hills. With a little earth removal and tread placement, a hillside can be transformed into a stairway. Since there’s no construction necessary, a stone stairway can be added on almost any cleared hill, blending perfectly into the landscape.

To get started on your stone stairway, you will first need to determine what size stone treads you want to use. Flagstone is a popular option, as it offers a flat surface which is ideal for treads. Many quality landscape suppliers or quarries offer stone treads in a variety of sizes that you can order. You can choose to use the same size for you entire set of stairs, or create a diverse stairway which is wider at the top or the bottom.

For most stone stairways, you will start at the bottom and work your way up. You will need to remove enough earth to accommodate your stone tread, as well as the crushed rock base. Once you have your base and stone secured in place, you can move up the hill, adding a new step at the desired height.

Discuss the length and size of the stairway you want to create with your stone tread supplier. They can help you determine how many treads you will need to create perfectly spaced stairs on your hill.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

Flagstone for Landscaping Applications

Whether you call it flagstone or flagging, the wide range of landscaping applications that can be enhanced with the addition of flagstones is impressive, to say the least. Flagstone is a flat, sedimentary rock that’s easily split and shaped but still withstands the elements very well, making it a favorite of landscaping contractors and designers. Colors tend to range from crab orchard, a tan and brown mixture, to gray and mocha shades. 

Flagstone is even and flat for the most part, making it an ideal choice for elegant and eye-catching patios and walkways. The irregular shapes come together to create an attention-grabbing arrangement, and is naturally slip-resistant for increased safety. Close placement creates a polished look, while leaving a bit of space between the flagstones lends a more natural, earthy look to your patios and walkways. 

Flagstone can also be used to build retaining walls around flowerbeds and along pathways, creating interesting shapes and clear delineation of borders. You can even create stacked fences along the perimeter of your property with flagstones, creating a unique property enclosure that’s pleasing to look at as well as functional. They’re also an ideal choice for water features like fountains and man-made waterfalls. The slip-resistant surface of flagstone paving makes it a viable and more aesthetically-pleasing alternative to concrete for use around the perimeter of swimming pools and spas.

Working with an experienced and reputable landscaping designer to determine the best ways of incorporating flagstones into your new lawn or garden can help you to ensure that the placement and selection of your stones is handled properly, and that your flagstone features are a delight in your outdoor living spaces for years to come.

Cutting Flagstone

Flagstone is a very popular type of stone used in a wide variety of landscaping projects from patios and walkways to fireplaces, walls, waterscapes.  When you need to cut flagstone to a desired size or shape, you have several options.  If you need a clean, straight cut you will need to borrow or rent a masonry saw.  If a rough or approximate edge is desired, you can score it with a circular saw or a hammer and chisel and break it along the score line.

To cut flagstones to an exact size or for a straight edge, rent a masonry saw from a tool rental facility or your local home improvement store. Mark a straight line on the flagstone and use the masonry saw to cut along the line.  Don’t try to force it or push too hard on the saw.  Let the weight of the saw and the saw blade do all of the work.  This is a very loud and dusty job so be sure to wear ear protection, googles, and a dust mask.

For a rough edge, use a hammer and a chisel to score along the line.  Turn the stone over and do the same thing on the other side.  Keep at it until the stone breaks along the line.  Don’t hit it too hard or the stone will split where you don’t want it to.

If the stone is too thick to break using a hammer and chisel, you can use a masonry blade in a circular saw to score the line in the stone.  These blades are not strong enough to easily cut through the whole stone, but they can cut a groove in the stone.  Cut both sides and tap along the line with your chisel to cause the stone to break along the line.