A flagstone walkway adds natural beauty and charm to any outdoor space, creating an inviting path through gardens or connecting different areas of your yard. This project is a great way to level up your landscape’s aesthetic appeal while providing a functional walking surface. In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates the step-by-step process of installing a flagstone walkway.
Planning Your Flagstone Walkway
Before beginning the installation process, plan your walkway by considering the following factors:
- Location and purpose of the walkway: Determine where the walkway will be located and what purpose it will serve, such as guiding foot traffic to your garden or providing a path to your front door.
- Overall design and layout: Plan the design and layout of your walkway. Decide if you want a straight, curved, or meandering path.
- Type and color of flagstone: Choose the type and color of flagstone that complements your home’s exterior and landscape. Flagstones come in various shades and textures, which can add a unique character to your walkway.
- Width and length of the path: Decide on the width and length of your walkway based on its intended use and the available space in your yard. Cook recommends a width of three feet for a comfortable single-person path. You can adjust it for a more spacious feel or to accommodate multiple people walking side by side.
Choosing the Right Flagstone
Natural flagstone comes in various types, such as slate, limestone, and sandstone. Choose one that best suits your climate and aesthetic preferences. The right flagstone will make a big difference in how your walkway turns out. Here are some factors to consider:
- Color and texture: Select a flagstone color and texture that compliments your existing landscape elements, such as your house, plants, and hardscaping features. Flagstone comes in various colors, including shades of gray, blue, brown, red, and green, allowing you to choose a color that matches your outdoor aesthetic.
- Durability and weather resistance: Choose flagstone known for its durability and ability to withstand the local weather conditions, including freeze-thaw cycles and heavy rainfall.
- Size and shape variations for a natural look: Opt for flagstones in varying sizes and shapes to create a more organic and natural appearance. This variation can mimic natural stone formations and add character to your walkway.
- Thickness (typically 1 to 2 inches for walkways): Ensure the flagstone is thick enough, typically between 1 to 2 inches, to withstand foot traffic and the elements without cracking. Thicker stones provide a sturdier and more durable surface for frequent use.
Gathering Necessary Tools and Materials
To lay a flagstone walkway, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Flagstones
- Pea stone or crushed stone
- Steel edging and spikes
- Filter fabric
- Flat-blade shovel or edger
- Wheelbarrow
- Garden hose
- Rubber mallet
- Level
- Tape measure
- Loppers (for cutting roots)
- 2×4 lumber (for spacing)
- Rake
Preparing the Walkway Area
Follow these steps to prepare your site before laying any flagstone:
- Use a garden hose to lay out the shape and location of the walkway.
- Cut through the sod and roots along the hose using a flat-blade shovel or edger.
- Dig 3 to 4 inches of dirt from the walkway area. Maintain a consistent depth throughout the excavated area to ensure a level surface for the flagstones.
- Remove any large roots you encounter during excavation using loppers.
Install Edging
Edging keeps the walkway materials in place and maintains a clean border. It prevents materials from migrating into surrounding areas. Here’s how to install the edging:
- Place steel edging along each side of the excavated area.
- Secure the edging with steel spikes, tapping them into place.
- Use a 2×4 with slots cut 3 feet apart to maintain the correct walkway width.
- Install spacers every 8 feet or so to ensure consistent width along the entire path.
Lay the Foundation
A filter fabric and stone base provide drainage and a stable surface for setting the flagstones. Follow these steps:
- Cover the bottom of the excavated area with filter fabric to prevent soil and roots from mixing with the base material.
- Spread a 4-inch layer of pea stone or crushed stone over the fabric.
- Rake the stone smooth and level.
Set the Flagstones
With the foundation prepared, it’s time to lay the flagstones. This process requires patience and attention to detail to achieve a beautiful, natural-looking walkway.
- Begin at one end of the walkway, preferably where it meets an existing surface like a patio or driveway.
- Choose flagstones with a flat side to face up to prevent water pooling and tripping hazards. Cook advises selecting the best-looking side of each flagstone to face up.
- Place the first stone flush with the existing surface to avoid creating a tripping hazard.
- Press the flagstone into the pea stone base and tap it gently with a rubber mallet to set it firmly. Adjust the amount of pea stone beneath each flagstone as needed to achieve proper height and stability.
- Continue setting flagstones, maintaining consistent spaces between them for a natural appearance. Use a level to check that adjacent stones are even with each other.
- Ensure that larger stones are stable and don’t rock when walked on.
Dealing With Challenging Areas
You may encounter obstacles or challenging areas while laying your flagstone walkway. The natural, somewhat irregular appearance of flagstone can be an advantage when working around obstacles in your landscape. Here are some tips for handling common issues:
- For slopes, create shallow steps using larger flagstones or adjust the base material to level out the area.
- In tight corners or irregular spaces, use smaller flagstones or cut larger ones to fit as needed.
- Work around tree roots by gently curving the walkway or using smaller stones to fit between roots.
Finishing Touches for a Flagstone Walkway
Once all the flagstones are in place, give your flagstone walkway a polished, professional look with a few final steps:
- Fill the gaps between flagstones with additional pea stone or crushed stone.
- Sweep the surface clean of any loose debris.
- Lightly spray the walkway with water to settle the stone and reveal the final appearance.
Enhancing Your Walkway
To add more charm and functionality to your flagstone walkway, consider incorporating some of these enhancements:
- Decorative elements: Add decorative elements such as bird baths, garden statues, or a bench to create a more inviting and engaging outdoor space.
- Garden borders: Enhance the edges of your walkway with attractive garden borders made of plants, stones, or decorative pavers. Choose plants that thrive in your climate and complement the flagstone’s color and texture.
- Lighting: Install low-voltage path lights or solar lights along the walkway to illuminate the path at night. It’s not just an aesthetic touch but a practical one to keep the walkway safe at night.
Maintaining Your Flagstone Walkway
To keep your new flagstone walkway looking its best for years to come, regularly sweep the surface to remove debris and remove any weeds that may grow between the stones. Periodically check for loose stones and reset them as needed, and add additional pea stone between flagstones if gaps become too large. Pressure wash the walkway annually to remove dirt and maintain its appearance.
