How to Do a Permanent Flagstone Walkway

Call your local utility providers and have them check to make sure there are no utilities that could be accidentally dug up while you are preparing the ground for your flagstone walkway; repairs can be expensive.

Buy at least 10 percent more flagstone than you need, since some of the stones will be damaged when you cut into them to make the stones fit into your walkway.

Use different types of materials beneath the flagstone, depending on the type of flagstone you use and the expected amount of traffic. For lower traffic, use 2 inches of granite sand. For medium traffic, use a crushed stone base of 2 inches and 1 inch of granite sand. For heavy traffic, use a 4-inch crushed-stone base and 1 inch of granite sand.

Mark off the area where you plan to build the flagstone walkway. Dig up the soil to create space for the base materials.

Spread out the base material that the flagstones will be placed over. The bottom layer should be granite sand. Compact the base medium using a tamping device, a tool with a flat head that you press into the soil. Only compact 2 inches at a time if you want proper compaction, which will help ensure that your flagstone walkway is permanent.

Lay granite sand over the base material as the final layer of your base. The sand will fill up the gaps in the flagstones and ensure the walkway is as smooth as possible.

Carry each stone to the location where you want to place it. Press the stone into the ground, wiggling it so it becomes increasingly more embedded into the gravel. The stone should not have an air pocket, which can cause it to crack in the future.

Place the stones with the most even edges along the sides of the walkway, to reduce the number of cuts you will have to make. Try to make the size of the joints as small as possible, preferably less than 1.5 inches. When necessary, cut the edges of the stone to fill in the joints.

Even out and reshape the stones by using a rock hammer. Strike the part of the stone that you want to chip off. Fill the joints with granite sand. Toss some sand over the joints and use a push broom to fill in the joints with the sand.