[fontleyroy]

Thanks to Stonehenge for welcoming me to the forum. I have been reading his posts for awhile now, linked through various products, and have found them to be a great help. I have removed a 25 ' diameter round pool that I bulit into the slope of a hill. Once I had removed the pool and recycled the aluminum, I thought man that would be a great spot for a patio. I decided to go with Pennsylvania stand up broken blue stone - stand up because some of the stones are the size of a car hood and 3" thick! I had put the pool on a bed of beach sand 10" thick. I put the blue stone into this sand bedding. Now my question is about the joints. I have maintained a joint spacing of 2-2.5 ". I have been reading about the polymetric sand. I dont think that is for me as I would needd about 20 bags and the joints would most likely flake apart. The yard where I ordered the four pallets of stone say that I should use stone dust. What is the best material to use for these large joints? Thanks in advance - this is a great forum!

[Fine Edge]

Depending upon what you wanted your final outcome to lok like, I would say that part is up to you.
At the spacing you mentioned, you could use stone dust, pit gravel or soil with smaller "steppable" plants. For plants, however, you might want to make sure you have your soil deep enough for good growth.

[fontleyroy]

Thanks Fine Edge. I thought about the plants but didnt like them as I wanted a clean look in the joints. I just wanted to know would hold up best in the joints, i.e. what material would show less cracking or sinking. Maybe I'll move the joints closer and just have to cut more stone to fit. If I get them close enough I could go with the poly sand.

[jwholden]

If you have any pictures please share them. We love new ideas and some members provide constructive feedback.

[4seasons]

I've read about a product called "alliance gator dust" I think it would do the job for you.

[fontleyroy]

I heard about that "gator dust" but am guessing that it will not work on my large joints. I dont know why but I am partial to the larger joints with this stone. Here are some pictures:

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[fontleyroy]

I see the first shot didnt show, I would like to include it as it shows how the stone comes. Here it is again:

[4seasons]

Gator dust is supposed to do up to 4" gaps

[familyguy]

gator dust brand stone dust is supposed to go from 1/2" to 4"

Interlocking concrete pavement magazine(comes with your ICPI certification) there is an ad in the magazine with a picture of irregular flagstone. looks jointed how stand-ups would be jointed (the picture) using this polymeric stone dust

just out of curiosity, how much does a pallet of those stone cost you? I just bought a pallet for a job thursday at $340.00 for the pallet. (Mine will be set on 4" of compacted gravel w an 1" or so of stonedust and 6" of turf in between for a walkway).

i always liked the look of these huge irregular pieces. your pictures look nice. bet your having fun.

[fontleyroy]

I am gonna have to read about that Gator dust again because I was under the impression that it was only good for joints below 2 inches. I have since moved the joints closer. I paid $380 per pallet. I paid a little extra to get more of a blue color to the stones. I could have picked them up at the source, upstate PA, for $290/pallet but the logistics didnt work and I didnt mind supporting my local yard. I am having fun but my back aches alittle. Now we are putting an outdoor kitchen on the patio. I told my wife lets finalize before I get too far as I'll need to lay the concrete pad. I have an old Brunswick pool table that I havent used in over ten years, in fact it has had a train set on it. I am going to take the slate and make a counter top/breakfast bar. Its premium 1 inch slate and I can set the train set on a piece of 3/4 plywood. Adding a Landmann Black Dog smoker grill with offset fire box as well. I'll post more pics if anyone is interested.

[windysan]

gator dust left a film on top of my bluestone that is proving to be a pain to get off. i'm starting to have my doubts about this product.

[jwholden]

Those look like some heavy slabs! Keep up the nice work.