DIY Network

Mulched Flagstone Patio Big, beautiful stones simplify this patio installation. From "Yard Crashers" episode DYCR-113

This natural-looking patio makes a perfect party place.

This once-empty yard now sports a posh outdoor kitchen island and wood-burning oven, but it's still not complete. After all, nobody wants to entertain on plain dirt.

Ahmed Hassan and the Yard Crashers crew help these homeowners install a flagstone patio with a natural feel that coordinates with the rest of the yard. Don't look for cement or mortar in this project: The stones are seated in plain sand, and "grouted" with natural redwood mulch for an earthy look. Even better, the mulch is easy for even kids to apply and maintain.

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Materials:

patio-grade flagstone Olympia #2 sand shredded redwood mulch ground cover plants angle iron chisel

safety glasses rubber mallet square shovels spray paint rototiller or sod cutter (optional) ear protection

Have plenty of help on hand to shift these big stones safely.

• Level the area. Mark the outer edges of the patio with spray paint. Use square shovels to knock down high spots in the soil and remove debris. For a patio that sits flush with the yard, excavate one to two inches of soil to accommodate the height of the stones. A rented sod cutter or rototiller can be handy for large, shallow excavations.

  Safety Alert: Be sure to wear safety glasses and ear protection if working with a rototiller or sod cutter.

• Lay out the flagstone. A natural stone patio like this one works like a big puzzle; the final patio should look like one giant piece of stone that cracked apart in the yard. Lay out the individual stones, adjusting for the best fit and keeping the gaps between stones consistent. For this project, the crew used large stones spaced about two inches apart.

  Tips:

  • Make sure to have plenty of help on hand when moving and placing the flagstones.
    
  • Use patio-grade flagstone — it's better able to stand up to heavy furniture and foot traffic.
    
  • Place the largest stones in areas where furniture will sit and those that will experience the heaviest foot traffic.

• Cut stones as needed. If a stone has a sharp edge that could be a hazard to bare feet, knock the edge off with the back of a hammer and smooth it out by hitting with the front of the hammer. To reduce larger pieces, score the stone along the desired cut line. Line up a chisel on the score mark and tap with a hammer. Move the chisel about half a chisel-length down the scored mark and tap again. Repeat the process, working down the scored mark until the piece breaks off. Even up and smooth out the broken edges with a hammer.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses when cutting or breaking stone.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B

• Set the stones. The flagstones sit on top of a sand base. Set the stones one at a time, lifting the stone and pouring enough sand underneath to cushion the entire stone (figure A). Replace the stone, wiggling it around to push sand into every crevice. Use a rubber mallet to pound stones in place.

• Check the stones. Check the stones for level. Also test each piece by stepping on all parts of the stones to make sure they don't tip. If a stone isn't stable, lift it and add sand as needed. Small pieces that have chipped off of stones can be wedged underneath as well.

• Fill in the gaps. Ahmed picked shredded redwood mulch to fill the spaces between the stones, blending in with the natural mulch from the yard's plentiful fallen leaves. To apply, dip a handful of the fluffy mulch into a bucket of water and push it between the stones. Ahmed also planted clusters of drought-tolerant ground cover throughout the patio for color (figure B).
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Outdoor Kitchen Island
  	Wood-Burning Oven
  	Mulched Flagstone Patio