How to Install a Flagstone-Pavers Patio With Crushed Granite

Prepare Work Site

• 1

  Plot the location and size of the square or rectangular patio and measure the square footage. The square footage is useful when consulting with the home-improvement store specialist. He can determine the number of pavers and the amount of crushed granite and sand needed.

• 2

  Drive wood stakes at each corner of the patio, and place string around them to mark the perimeter of the patio.

• 3

  Clear the patio area of grass, plants or other vegetation. Ensure the patio area slopes away from the house to avoid flooding during heavy rains. The degree of slope is ¼-inch for each foot of the length of the patio.

• 4

  Treat the area with a weed and grass herbicide, and pin down landscape fabric over the area. Landscape fabric prevents the long-term growth of weeds.

• 5

  Dig a trench around the perimeter of the patio approximately 6 inches deep. Fill it with 2 inches of crushed granite, and use a hand tamper to compact the granite. Place 3 inches more of granite in the trench, and tamp it down firmly. Hand tampers are available at home-improvement stores.

• 6

  Lay pressure-treated 6-by-6-inch landscape timbers around the trench on top of the compacted granite. The timbers will extend approximately 4 inches above the level of the landscape fabric.

• 7

  Drive 18-inch wood stakes into the ground at 5-foot intervals behind the timbers, to provide additional support. Hammer in the stakes until the top is midway down the width of the timber.

• 8

  Spread approximately 3 inches of crushed granite inside the patio area until it's within 4 inches of the top of the timbers. Compact the granite with a plate compacter -- available at rental-equipment, and some home-improvement, stores.

• 9

  Continue adding crushed granite and compact it until it's the same depth across the patio: 4 inches below the top edge of the landscape timbers.

Lay The Pavers

• 10

  Begin at one corner and lay the first flagstone paver by tapping it snugly into the corner with a rubber mallet. Use the rubber mallet to set the flagstone paver down gently into the crushed granite, without disturbing the granite.

• 11

  Lay the next flagstone paver adjacent to the first one. Use the rubber mallet to tamp it into place against the first flagstone paver and down on the crushed granite. Use a 3-foot long spirit level to ensure the flagstone pavers are level as you lay them.

• 12

  Continue setting the flagstone pavers in place until the area is covered. Use a hammer and chisel or masonry saw to cut the last flagstone paver to the size necessary to fit within the perimeter of the landscape timbers.

• 13

  Spread very fine sand onto the finished patio, and use a broom to sweep it over the top of the flagstone pavers. The objective is to fill in the spaces between the flagstone pavers with compacted sand. Continue adding sand and sweep it on the patio until no more sand sifts between the flagstone pavers. Spray the patio lightly with water.

• 14

  Repeat the process in three to four days of adding sand and sweeping it on the patio. The sand settles as time passes, and the patio becomes more and more stable.