How to Lay a Limestone Patio

Measure the thickness of a few of the limestone pieces and calculate an average thickness for the stones. If you want the patio surface above the ground somewhat you can adjust the measurements, but most patios are installed with the finished stone flush with the surrounding dirt. Lay out the dimensions of your area with wooden stakes, and attach the string line to them to define where to remove the dirt.

Dig down with a shovel an appropriate depth for your patio. The standard depth for a patio installation is at least 6 inches for the layer of pebbles or gravel at the base of the installation, although you can use up to 8 inches. An additional 2 inches of sand is used on top of that, although you can go up to 4. Include the limestone thickness in your calculations.

Layer the installation area to prepare for the limestone pieces. Shovel in 3 or 4 inches of the gravel across the entire area, rake it flat and run the gas powered tamping machine across the rock. The goal is to tamp things down in layers. Repeat the process with the sand on top of the gravel until you have tamped in your entire foundation layer.

Install the limestone. Set the pieces onto the layer of compacted gravel and sand and tap them into place with a rubber mallet. Use additional sand as needed to accommodate for thinner stones that need to be raised to the same height as surrounding limestone pieces. Make any necessary cuts with the mason saw.

Fill in the joints between the limestone pieces with sand and cover the installation surface with roughly 1/2 inch to 1 inch of additional sand. Use the tamping machine on top of the entire installation to pack the joints full with sand and lock all of the pieces in place with the surrounding dirt and the foundation layer below.