What are the pros and cons of building a flagstone patio?
Description: A hard, flat stone, cut or split flagstone is becoming increasingly popular for patio floors because of its distinctive, natural look. Typical colors are red, blue and buff. Benefits: Flagstone is extremely durable and can last for centuries. Because it’s laid one stone at a time, installing a flagstone patio is a relatively simple do-it-yourself project, but a time-consuming one. Drawbacks: The size and heft of some of the stones makes flagstone somewhat cumbersome to work with. Also, in order for the patio to be level, the depth of the base must be adjusted to accommodate the varying thickness of the stone. Installation: Equip yourself with a back brace before handling this extremely heavy stone. Many homeowners choose irregular shapes of flagstone, which makes installation a bit like putting together a puzzle. Installers may choose a simple dry construction – setting the flagstone in sand – or a more permanent installation, which involves concrete mortar. Performance in
