Flagstone Patio vs Stamped Concrete Patio

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Moderator Post: > Flagstone Installation by Handyman on 10/24/2005

For detailed flagstone installation instruction, tips, specifications, design tools, online calculators and more an excellent resource would be http://concreteforever.com/Flagstone-Patios-Houston.html and also http://www.concreteforever.com/flagstone-patio-installation-houston-texas.html

Natural flagstone is by nature a weak and brittle stone and cracks easily. These stone installations are labor intensive and require high maintenance. A viable alternative would be a flagstone stamped concrete patio which has the look and feel of the natural stone without the high maintenance, Stamped Concrete provides structural reinforcement throughout the slab unlike a mortar base under a typical flagstone patio installation.
Search the online library on this subject at http://www.concreteforever.com
If you have your mind made up and you want a natural flagstone patio anyway then:
1.) Remove all deleterious material and soil where the new flagstone patio will be located, Install a 4" gravel base.
2.)On top of that install 4" of stabilized sand,
3.) Space #3 rebar steel reinforcement every 15" on center each way forming a grid, set the grid on 3" chairs prior to concrete placement.
4.) Pour a 4" concrete base thats reinforced throughout with fiber mesh reinforcement.
5.)Wash the flagstone with a 8:1 solution of muratic acid, removing any loose clefts, dirt and sand.
6.)Mix 15 shovel-fulls of clean washed sand with half of a 94lb bag or pure portland cement and 1 shovel-full of lime.
7.) Place your mortar mix approx 2" to 3" deep working only with about 10 sq ft at a time, cutting each flagstone on all sides to achieve a uniform joint configuration of about 1".
8.) After placing all your stones in your fresh mortar bed and assuring all is laid flush and level with eachother fill the joints once the stones have set a minimum of 24 hours.
9.) Once the mortar joints have dried then clean the flagstone patio with a solution of muratic acid and water with a 12:1 ratio.
10.) Roll or brush on Gem Seal by Dupont or Master Seal if you want a non skid texture that is glossy while providing an excellent cure seal for the longevity of your new patio....Good Luck
http://www.concreteforever.com