5 DIY Flagstone Projects

January 15th, 2020 Posted in Flagstone
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Do you love the beauty of flagstone but not the price tag on hiring a landscaper to build your flagstone project? You can save a small fortune if you build your flagstone hardscape yourself. While no flagstone project is simple or easy, there are some that are better suited for do-it-yourself homeowners than others. Here are five DIY flagstone projects that only require moderate skills but can save your money on your project.

Walkways

With a little planning and preparing, you can build a gorgeous flagstone walkway for your front entrance or garden. The trick is outlining your path first and digging your trench. Then you can position your flagstones like puzzle pieces for a beautiful stone walkway.

Patios

While bigger, patios can be simpler that pathways due to the set shape. Once the area is prepared, start placing stones working from the inside out. Once you get the outside, you may need to cut stones to create the right edge.

Steps

Have a slope that you want to access? Use flagstones to create treads up your slope. This is fairly simple, just requires some hard work digging your steps and placing your treads.

Fire Pit

Flagstones are a perfect surrounding surface for a stone fire pit. Whether you build your fire pit yourself or buy a premade option, you can build the flagstone surround for your seating area.

Seating

You can build a simple, gorgeous stone bench from flagstone. All you need is two similar stones for the base and one long, flat piece for the top.

Flagstone is an easy and forgiving stone product for DIY projects. With a little planning and some time watching instruction videos online, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars by creating flagstone hardscapes yourself.

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

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Different Types of Flagstone

October 9th, 2019 Posted in Flagstone
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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

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Creating a Curved Flagstone Walkway

August 22nd, 2019 Posted in Flagstone
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Flagstone is a stunning natural paving option for walkways. You can create paths that curve around your garden on your own if you know the tricks. A curved flagstone walkway is a great DIY project that can save you hundreds of dollars over hiring a professional. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started on building a gorgeous flagstone walkway with curves.

Outline Your Path

You can use a garden hose to create the outline of your curved walkway. This gives you a chance to try different options to find the look you desire. Make sure it is wide enough to walk on comfortably and avoid going over tree roots – these can cause problems down the road if they reach the surface. Once you choose a design, use spray paint to mark the outline of the walkway and calculate the square footage you will be covering.

Choose Your Flagstone

Flagstone comes in a variety of colors, shapes and thickness. Choose flagstone that is about 3” thick for walkways, reducing the chance it will crack, but thin enough to cut if needed. You will want natural shapes and various sizes to help you build your walkway and enough to fill the square footage needed. Your landscape supplier can help you choose the right stones for your project.

Build Your Walkway

You will need to dig about five inches down to build your walkway, then cover it with landscape fabric. Layer two inches of sand and tamper it down. Start in the middle of the path, putting pieces of flagstone in place like a puzzle. On the edges, trace the line where the stone overlaps the outline to make cuts in the stone to fit inside your pathway outline. Add small pieces between bigger stones to reduce gaps. Sweep fine sand over your flagstone to fill in between the stones.

It does take patience and hard work, but you can build a curved flagstone walkway that will be beautiful and functional. Carefully plan your project and take your time to ensure it turns out like you envision.

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

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5 Ways to Add Beauty to Your Home with Natural Stone

December 30th, 2016 Posted in Landscape Materials Suppliers
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Home design trends come and go, but using natural stone always adds a classic beauty to any home project. Since humans began building homes, stone has been key material due to its durability and strength. Now, natural stone is also valued for the unique beauty it can add to a home, along with its long-lasting qualities. Here are five ideas on how to add the beauty of natural stone to your home.

  1. Stone walkways. Forget boring, industrial concrete for your front walkway. Add dimension to your front walk with natural stones such as flagstones or field stones.
  2. Stunning patio. Blend your patio in with nature by creating a unique flooring made from natural stone. Choose irregular-shaped stones for a natural appearance.
  3. Fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Add beauty and warmth to your backyard with a gorgeous fire feature for those cool nights. A natural stone fire pit or fireplace is a perfect addition to your outdoor living area.
  4. Replace your siding with stone veneer. Have you always wanted to live in a stone cottage? Make your existing home into your dream home by replacing your siding with stone veneer. You will have the look of a stone cottage without the cost of stone walls.
  5. Retaining walls and stone fences. Natural stone is perfect for building retaining walls for erosion control. It can also create an aesthetically pleasing fence for a classic, country appeal.

There are so many options for using natural stone to add to the beauty of your home. Contact your local quarry to learn more about all the stone products available for our home projects.

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

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Flagstone

November 5th, 2010 Posted in Flagstone
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Flagstone is a very popular and versatile landscaping material.  Flagstone is a generic term for flat, natural stone that comes from a quarry and is used for a wide variety of landscaping applications.  Flagstone can be made from many types of stone including slate, granite, and sandstone.  Once the stone is quarried, it is either cut or split into flat pieces of various thicknesses.  Flagstone can be further finished into regular square or rectangular shapes or left with irregular, natural edges for a more rustic look.  Irregular flagstone pieces are fitted together like a puzzle to create an interesting and attractive finish.

Flagstone is available in a wide variety of colors, thicknesses, and styles.  No two pieces of flagstone are exactly alike, which adds to its natural, rustic appeal.   Flagstone is extremely durable and relatively easy to work with although it is heavy.  Properly installed, a flagstone patio, walkway or driveway should last for ten to twenty years or more.  It is easy to repair if damaged, requires very little maintenance, and is less expense than many other landscaping or paving materials. 

Flagstone’s textured, non-slip surface makes it an excellent choice for walkways, driveways, and patios, but it is also a great choice for siding, chimneys, fireplaces, ponds, retaining walls, waterscapes, and just about any other hardscape imaginable.   For walkways, patios, pool decks or driveways, flagstone can be set with mortar, sand, or polymeric sand making it easy to work with for do-it-yourselfers. 

For more information about flagstone, visit your local landscape supply company.  They will have many pallets of flagstone in various colors, styles, and sizes to choose from.  They can help you complete your project or recommend a reputable landscaper to handle the job.

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