How to Install a Flagstone Patio on a Sand Bed

Measure out the dimensions for the patio and place wooden stakes at each corner of the site. Connect the stakes together with twine or string. All excavation will take place within this bordered area.

Excavate the area and dig to the necessary depth. You will need the area to be deep enough to accommodate approximately 4 inches of gravel and 2 inches of sand.

Pour the gravel over the entire excavated site. Then use a power tamper to pack the gravel. The power tamper will help to create a flat surface over the area.

Cover the gravel with a landscape fabric. This fabric is used to stop weeds from popping up below the surface. The fabric comes in rolls, and will need to be rolled out over the surface. Lay out one row and then move on to the next, making sure to overlap the fabric about 6 inches. It is not necessary, but the fabric can be tacked down with wire stakes.

Place a 2-inch thick piece of lumber on top of the landscape fabric. This will help when pouring the sand. Once the lumber is just covered with sand, you will know that you have 2 inches of sand in the area. Remove the 2-inch thick piece of lumber, and lightly wet down the sand with a garden hose. Then use another piece of wood to screed the sand, making sure that the area is smooth and intact.

Perform a dry run of the flagstone placement. Place the flagstones in the desired positions on the grass next to your excavated site. Then mimic that placement on the sand bed.

Place each flagstone on top of the sand bed and use a rubber mallet to gently pound the stones into the sand. Use a straightedge to make sure that all of the neighboring stones are level.

Cover the entire patio with sand once all of the flagstones are in place. Sweep the sand across the patio with a broom to fill in the joints between the stones. Spray more water over the site to compact the sand. Then add more dry sand later as needed until the stones are securely in place.