DIY Network

Bluestone Landing for a Historic Home From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-212

The completed bluestone landing.

When it comes to stone pavers, there are a lot of options on the market, but when you're working on a historic property, it's generally a good idea to use a natural stone product. For this Rock Solid project, hosts Derek Stearns and Dean Marsico travel to New England and use tumbled bluestone to transform an overgrown patch into an attractive stone landing to complement a historic home.

Tips from our two pros include how to build over an existing wall, how to properly prep a paver base and how to add a curve to a stone wall. Follow these tips and guidelines and you'll no longer have to be intimidated by working with natural stone--or by the thought of creating a new addition for an old home.

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	This project home was built in the 1740's. For historic homes in particular, natural materials are the preferred choice.
	The cleared space, before the new landing is installed . . .
	. . .and after.

Tools:

spade shovel
iron rake
push broom
12 inch landscape spikes
wheelbarrow
plate compactor
ear protection
string
line level
6 ft level
1 inch pipes
2x4 screed board
rubber mallet
4 ½ inch grinder
mask
snap edging
stone hammer
trowel

Materials:

landscape fabric
tumbled bluestone paver
sand
loam (for optional planting bed)
packed gravel

Note: The quantities needed for these materials vary with application. For your specific project, Dean and Derek suggest taking your dimensions to a local quarry or distributor where the amount of each product needed can be calculated. They also suggest having the materials delivered before starting this project.

	Figure A
	Figure B

Getting Started: Clearing and Grading

This project should begin with a cleared and level area. Dean and Derek remove the brush covering the area that will hold their landing with shovels and rakes. You'll need to cut and rake away any overgrown plants or brush. Once the brush is cleared, use your landscaping rake to level the ground's surface. As they work, Dean and Derek discover an old landing underneath the debris. In this case, the old landing level, so they'll just build over it. In most cases, it's a good idea to completely clear the work area.

• If there's a lot of brush or ivy in the area you are planning to build your landing, you'll want to use landscape fabric to cover the base. The fabric will keep weeds from growing over your landing while still allowing the soil underneath to breathe. Roll the fabric over the width of the cleared area and cut it with a utility knife to make it the correct size. Overlap the edges of the fabric at least by 2 inches and secure the fabric into the earth with 12 inch landscape spikes and a stone hammer.

• With the area leveled and landscape fabric spread, bring in the crusher run. Crusher run or coarse grade gravel is made of a mix of gravels like crushed stone, concrete sand, and stone dust. Spread the crusher run (or gravel) to a thickness of about 3 inches (figure A). Once the gravel is spread, its time to compact.

• Use a power compactor and, working from the outside edge compact towards the center (figure B). Derek and Dean suggest doing this at least three times to make sure it's packed tightly.

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