Kinds of Flagstone

Significance

• Flagstones are often cut into slabs--rather than blocks, cubes, rectangular or square shapes--as these other shapes tend to describe other types of stone, such as Belgium blocks and fieldstone. However, the term "flagstone" is sometimes used to describe these sized, natural stones, too. Flagstones, as slabs, can be used for stepping stones, patio paving, walkway steps and even as a bench in your flower garden area. Since the name "flagstone," according to the University of Minnesota, is applied to a number of different natural stones--including ashlar, Belgian blocks, fieldstone and rubble stone--it's helpful to break down the stones by properties.

Hard Minerals

• Flagstones can be differentiated by the minerals that make up the stone, either hard or soft. Hard mineral flagstones--which are more durable and can bear more weight due to their strength--offer a better and longer lasting stone product. Some types can be water resistant, such as the flagstones of granite and slate. Basalt, gneiss and marble are also hard mineral flagstone types. Some flagstones containing hard minerals, however, are not water resistant, but they can still be strong and/or durable, such as sandstone.

Soft Minerals

• Slabs or other cuts of flagstones made from soft minerals are more porous stones, so they do not resist water. Thus, you should not put them down as stepping stones in landscapes requiring water resistance, or in areas that experience a great deal of rain, sleet or snow. Some soft mineral flagstones include limestone and sandstone. Soft mineral stones are more susceptible to cracks than stones of harder mineral content, so consider this when using bluestone, coralstone, and limestone products.

Other Flagstone Types

• Any natural stone you can split easily can be used to make a flagstone. So while granite, limestone and sandstone are easily split and cut into flagstones, you can also create flagstones from stones that are less popular. Some natural stones indigenous to the quarry area servicing your landscaping needs can be included in that list, such as the "Desert Bronze" and "Twin Creek" natural stone slabs from Quarry Direct Stone of Utah.