[stonenewbie]

Have a question about excavation for anyone who might be willing to share their methods:

Let's say you were planning a 15'x15' flagstone patio...how far beyond the actual patio dimensions would you excavate? Would it be enough to take it out to 16x16 and then backfill at the end, or would it be best to go even further out from the actual dimension?

Thanks!

[stonenewbie]

Had a memory lapse and couldnt remember the other two issues I wanted to bring up in this post, but now remembered:

1)When using polymeric sand between the joints on a flagstone patio, should it still be compacted into the joint as with brick pavers?

2) Has anyone had any experience with cutting blustone is place as you can with brick pavers once they are laid, or is this not advisable?

Thanks all for your time...

[TrickyDick]

We make our base about six inches wider than the patio most of the time.

You don't need to compact flagstone. You set it one piece at a time and then fill the joints. The joints are large so the sand doesn't need help to fill them.

You can definately cut bluestone in place.

[stonenewbie]

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.

[AZTLANLC]

I'd just hit every stone few times with the rubber hammer and you'll see how it spreads just a little bit more.
One more note most manufactures have a special sand for wider joints unilock calls it poly-max.