What Is A Flagstone? Types Of Flagstone
What Is A Flagstone?
Flagstone is a flat stone that can be cut into regular shapes and is commonly used for paving walkways, patios, flooring, fences, and roofing. It can also be used for construction purposes such as memorials and headstones.
The name “flagstone” comes from the Middle English word “flagge” meaning turf and can be traced back to Old Norse, meaning slab or chip. Flagstone is a type of sedimentary rock that is split into layers along bedding planes and is mostly composed of feldspar, quartz and cementing materials such as silica, calcite, or iron oxide.
The rock color varies from red, blue, and buff, and sometimes exotic colors. It is quarried from places with bedded sedimentary rocks with fissile bedding planes.
Flagstone was widely used in the 13th century for the floors, walls, and ceilings in European architecture and can still be found in castles and other historical buildings such as Lindisfarne Castle in England and Muchalls Castle in Scotland.
Additionally, flagstone shingles are a traditional roofing material that are commonly used in the Alps and are required in some historical areas in the Aosta Valley, Italy.
The History Of Flagstone
Flagstone, a versatile building material, has been utilized for centuries. In the early 1900s, it was considered an upgrade to cobblestone due to its ability to be easily hand-chiseled into a smooth surface making it a popular choice for creating flat pavements.
It can be used for various purposes such as countertops, paving substrate, walkways, roadways, roofing and siding. The most frequent use of flagstone is for patios and stepping stones.
Types Of Flagstone
Flagstone is a type of natural stone that comes in a variety of textures, colors, shapes, and uses. Some popular options include:
Slate: a fine-grained, metamorphic stone that is a transformed form of shale. It comes in colors such as silver, gray, green and copper, and is commonly used for wall cladding. It can be found in states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, and New York.
Sandstone: a sedimentary rock made of layers of quarts grains and stones cemented together. It comes in colors such as beige, pink, gold, and red, and is commonly used for patios and walkways. It can be found in the Southwest of the US.
Quartzite: a stone formed from transformed rock. It comes in colors such as silver, gold, blue, grey, and green, and is commonly used for kitchen countertops and walkways. It can be found in Oklahoma, Idaho, and Northern Utah.
Bluestone: a dense, blue or greyish version of sandstone. It comes in colors such as blue and purple and is commonly used for walls or cobbles. It can be found in the Northeast of the US.
Limestone: a sedimentary rock made of calcite stones. It is commonly used as a primal matter for cement.
Ways Of Using Flagstone
Flagstone can be used in various ways to enhance the natural aesthetic of your landscape projects, such as:
- -Creating a flagstone patio for your outdoor living space
- -Paving walkways with flagstone to reduce foot traffic
- -Using flagstone as stepping stones in your yard
- -Enhancing the appearance of terraces and retaining walls in hilly areas with flagstone
- -Adding flagstone edges to flower gardens for added beauty
- -Creating a natural-looking border around your swimming pool with flagstone.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Flagstone
When planning a flagstone project, there are various factors to consider, including the type of flagstone, where to purchase it, and how to install it.
It’s important to research the types of flagstone available in your area and consult with experts to ensure you get the best quality and lasting material.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to add a bit extra to your material requirements to account for cuts or irregularities in your landscaping. Keep in mind that some flagstones may change color over time, so take that into consideration when planning for the long-term.
If you’re located in Garland, Texas, experts from Alexander and Xavier Masonry can provide valuable assistance.
