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05-22-2006, 10:59 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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large flagstone sidewalk
Please let me start out by saying I have been reading this forum ever since I found it 8 months ago. I am very impressed with the collection of proffesional knowledge found here!!! Hardscaping is kind of a hobby of mine so reading this forum is something I look forward too. I have much experience with concrete, and have completed one fair size brick paver job. My questions are regarding a sidewalk/patio that is in progress at my home.
I am installing flagstone over a poured concrete base. The pour is 4-5" thick
4'000 PSI concrete with a grid of 1/2" rebar 16" OC. It is poured over 4-5" of 3/4" stone with fabric under the stone. I am located in southeastern Pa. Our winters see plenty of freezing, but not the super frigid cold of alot of the northern states experience.
My first question is will sandstone flags hold up in our climate? I have spoke with a local supplier and they tell me they no longer sell them as they do not hold up well. I do not know if this is true or if they were just feeding me a line. My other option is to use Pa. flagstone, but I really like the color of sandstone. I will be setting these in mortar.
My other question is regarding the joints. I am planning on doing alot of cutting as I want to keep the joint width to a minimum. I like the look of the "broken ice" pattern that I found here on this forum. This leads me to my next question. Since I am setting these flags in mortar, do I have to grout the joints with mortar or can I just sweep in Polymeric sand? Does the grout/mortar joint seal this application better than the Polymeric? I would prefer to use the sand as I really do not want the joints to stand out. Thanks in advance for all your help!
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05-22-2006, 11:18 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SE PA
USDA Zone 6
Posts: 129
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I do not think you were being fed a line.
Polymeric sand is most effective when repeatedly vibrated and watered into joints, I believe. This you would not want to do over mortared stone. Anyway, I would think mortar in the joints would make a much stronger and more waterproof walkway.
Perhaps you would consider adding color to the mortar, in an attempt to match it to the stone you select.
Incidentally, I am probably not too far from you, and am currently building the same type of hardscape for a client.
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05-23-2006, 12:02 AM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Monroe, NC
USDA Zone 10
Posts: 680
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Use a colored mortar in the joints. It will stabilize the flags much better than a polymeric sand. Remember to push the mortar into the joints to fill all air pockets!
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05-27-2006, 11:44 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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Thanks guys for your help. I have decided to go with PA bluestone with a thin tinted mortar joint. I will try to post pics as this job progresses. Thanks Much!
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07-11-2006, 10:05 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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Here are some pictures of my flagstone sidewalk "work in progress" I have not had much time to work on it, but I plan to hit it hard this next week. I came up with a aluminum fixture that I use to easily template the pieces without lifting the ruff flags onto the sidewalk prior to cutting. I trace the template directly on the ruff flags while they are on the cutting table. Beats lifting them over top of the adjacent flags several times, anyhow I will try to post more pics after I start setting the flags in mortar.
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07-11-2006, 10:23 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Sep 2003
USDA Zone 7
Posts: 475
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this is one we did in PA bluestone
__________________
Matt Thompson
Thompson's Landscaping
Henderson, NC
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07-11-2006, 11:08 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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Very nice work Thompson's !!!
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07-11-2006, 11:12 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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Still trying with these pics!!!
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07-11-2006, 11:17 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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Some more pics.
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07-11-2006, 11:18 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SE Tuscarawas County, Ohio
USDA Zone 6
Posts: 93
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One of my designs-going down. Mason has done a great job with joint lines . . . I think  |
07-11-2006, 11:19 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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Still some more.
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07-11-2006, 11:20 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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Last one.
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07-11-2006, 11:20 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SE Tuscarawas County, Ohio
USDA Zone 6
Posts: 93
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Precision-interesting template, looks to acheive awesome consistiency . . . I see why they call you precision.
Can we move my other post down to get out of Precision's way-it is a great visual tutorial.
Something else that makes this a great site. My thanks to everyone.
Last edited by Ston Wurks : 07-11-2006 at 11:22 PM.
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07-11-2006, 11:27 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Apr 2006
USDA
Posts: 14
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No need to move your post Ston Works, thats some very nice looking work!!! I can see you pay attention to detail. Keep up the good work!!
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07-11-2006, 11:31 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Sep 2003
USDA Zone 7
Posts: 475
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very cool stuff, i like it
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Matt Thompson
Thompson's Landscaping
Henderson, NC
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