DIY Network

Stone Patio, Walkway and Stepping Stones From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-203

In this Rock Solid project, expert stone masons Derek Stearns and Dean Marsico tackle three types of flagging stonework at a home in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They complement the look of a rustic cottage with stone accents in the form of a stone patio, walkway and stepping-stone area. Since they're working with irregularly shaped stones, the footing, joint size, and cutting varies in each phase of the project.

Before

After

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Irregularly shaped flag stones are easy to install and afford a natural look that is especially well suited to rustic styled homes.

A big part of the rustic look in this project comes from the natural and easy-to-use materials. In fact, an advantage of working with irregular flagging is that, the more natural you want the patio to look, the less cutting and shaping you'll need to do.

Design, Materials and Footing Prep

Tools:

wire snips
wheelbarrow
spade shovel
inverted marking paint
landscaping rake
tape measure
six foot level
rubber mallet
trowel
stone hammer
chipping hammer
chisels
hand tamper
plate compactor (gas powered)
jointer

Materials:

irregular flagging (delivered on pallets)
crusher run (a combination of 3/4-inch crushed stone and concrete sand)
PVC pipe and elbow

Note: The quantities of materials needed varies with application. For your specific project, Dean and Derek suggest taking your dimensions to a local quarry where they can calculate the amount of each product needed.

Figure A

Begin by surveying your site, taking measurements, and visiting a local quarry to pick out your material. Select palletized irregular flagging--preferably a pallet with larger stones since you can always break large stones into smaller ones. While the quarry will tell you the exact amount of material you need, a general rule of thumb is that a pallet of flagging (figure A) generally weighs about a 1-1/2 tons and will cover an 80 square foot area.

	Figure B
	Figure C

Have all of your material delivered. Cut and get rid of the chicken-wire packing (figure B) and begin laying stone out (figure C). It’s always a good idea to see the stone that you’re working with.

As they pick through their pallets, Dean and Derek find good stones and bad stones. A good stone has a smooth, even face--generally produced by the exposure of a seam in the stone. A seam is a thin layer of stratum along which a stone is more likely to break. A bad stone has a rough and uneven face. You can either chisel along the seam to expose a smoother face or break it up into smaller, filler stones.

Check both sides of the stone. While one side may be uneven and useless, the other could be a gem. As you pick through the pallets, start looking for stones that will piece together with minimal cutting.

Getting Started

Dean and Derek begin by tackling the largest job first: the patio. It's a good rule of thumb to get the most difficult job done first. That will typically make the rest of the job go easier.

• Spray an outline of the patio with the inverted marking paint (figure D).

• Dig down four to six inches deep with a shovel (figure E), and cart your material away in the wheelbarrow as you dig. The cleaner you keep your job site, the easier you make your work.

• Smooth and even out the grade with a landscaping rake.

Figure D

Figure E

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