What to Know About Installing a Stone Patio
Planning to add a stone patio to your landscape next year? Here’s what to consider before getting started
Stone patios can be beautiful and long-lasting landscape additions. As the floor material for an outdoor dining room, lounge or firepit seating area, cut stone and flagstone form a durable base for furniture and garden accessories. Using local stone can also be a great way to tie in a newly installed patio to your site.
If you’re thinking about adding a stone patio to your garden, you’ll want to consider factors like the cost; the patio’s size, shape and position to best suit your needs; and site-specific considerations like soil type, grading and drainage.
If you’re thinking about adding a stone patio to your garden, you’ll want to consider factors like the cost; the patio’s size, shape and position to best suit your needs; and site-specific considerations like soil type, grading and drainage.
Bluestone pavers
Project: Installing a stone patio
Why: To create a durable, attractive and long-lasting floor for any type of outdoor room
It’s a good project for you if: you’re looking to invest in a long-lasting landscape feature. Not all types of stone patios may be appropriate for everyone. Specifically, those that leave gaps between stones or those made up of uneven flagstones may not be appropriate for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.
Project: Installing a stone patio
Why: To create a durable, attractive and long-lasting floor for any type of outdoor room
It’s a good project for you if: you’re looking to invest in a long-lasting landscape feature. Not all types of stone patios may be appropriate for everyone. Specifically, those that leave gaps between stones or those made up of uneven flagstones may not be appropriate for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.
Bluestone patio and American granite wall
Types of stone patios: There are two general categories of stone patios, defined by how they are installed.
Types of stone patios: There are two general categories of stone patios, defined by how they are installed.
- Dry-laid stone patios are constructed by laying pavers on a compacted base of sand and gravel, leaving small gaps between the pavers. These gaps can be filled with sand, gravel, stone dust or a mix of sand and ground-cover plants. Dry-laid stone patios are less expensive to install than wet-laid stone patios and maintain flexibility over time. It’s much easier to correct shifts that may occur in the patio, since stones are not mortared in place. Correctly installed, dry-laid stone patios with tightly packed stone can be just as smooth as wet-laid stone patios.
- Wet-laid stone patios are constructed with pavers set on a concrete base or other mortar surface. Once pavers are laid on the surface, they are permanently mortared together, leaving no gaps. Wet-laid stone patios are more expensive to install but create a smooth, very durable surface that can withstand heavy traffic.
Local fieldstone patio and local Catawba stone wall
Whom to hire: Unless you are experienced in working with stone or confident in learning about hardscape installation, it’s recommend you hire a professional contractor, landscape designer or landscape architect to help with the job. For wet-laid stone patios and any stone patios that require grading, bear heavy weight (like driveways) or have more complicated drainage, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional.
DIY: If you’re planning on tackling parts of the project — or the whole thing — yourself, take stock of your knowledge of landscape design and hardscape installation and self-educate to fill in the gaps in your knowledge. Talking to experienced professionals or hiring a pro for a site visit can make a big difference in ensuring that you know what you’re getting into. If you’re thinking about attempting the installation of a dry-laid stone patio yourself (not recommended for wet-laid stone patios), you must be confident working with basic landscape construction tools, such as a tamper and level, and be able to lift heavy slabs of stone into place.
“Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a contractor, make sure that you are educated on proper build practices so that you can hold yourself or your contractor accountable,” Koehler says.
Find a landscape professional on Houzz
Whom to hire: Unless you are experienced in working with stone or confident in learning about hardscape installation, it’s recommend you hire a professional contractor, landscape designer or landscape architect to help with the job. For wet-laid stone patios and any stone patios that require grading, bear heavy weight (like driveways) or have more complicated drainage, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional.
DIY: If you’re planning on tackling parts of the project — or the whole thing — yourself, take stock of your knowledge of landscape design and hardscape installation and self-educate to fill in the gaps in your knowledge. Talking to experienced professionals or hiring a pro for a site visit can make a big difference in ensuring that you know what you’re getting into. If you’re thinking about attempting the installation of a dry-laid stone patio yourself (not recommended for wet-laid stone patios), you must be confident working with basic landscape construction tools, such as a tamper and level, and be able to lift heavy slabs of stone into place.
“Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a contractor, make sure that you are educated on proper build practices so that you can hold yourself or your contractor accountable,” Koehler says.
Find a landscape professional on Houzz
Cost range: Cost varies widely, depending on the materials selected, size of the patio, where you live and the difficulty of the site for installation. For a professionally installed dry-laid stone patio, Koehler recommends clients budget between $28 and $32 per square foot (including materials and installation) for more traditional styles; custom patios with hand-designed stonework or unusual materials can range between $32 and $40 per square foot (including materials and installation).
Installing wet-laid stone patios is more expensive, given the cost of creating the concrete base. If you are planning to install the patio yourself, you’ll be able to budget the cost once you select the materials and map out the size of the patio.
Installing wet-laid stone patios is more expensive, given the cost of creating the concrete base. If you are planning to install the patio yourself, you’ll be able to budget the cost once you select the materials and map out the size of the patio.
Pennsylvania flagstone
In the long run, proper installation affects how safe, durable and attractive your stone patio will be more than any other factor. For this reason, be sure to get it right — even if it costs more upfront or the patio takes longer to install.
Typical project length: Once you receive a permit, installation times vary from about a week to multiple weeks, based on the complexity of the project and site, type of stone and installation (dry-laid or wet-laid) and size of the patio. Wet-laid stone patios and projects that require grading or drainage will take longer than sites with fewer challenges. Likewise, patios constructed of irregular stones that require fitting together will take longer than those made of uniform cut stone or precast pavers.
Best time to start: Stone patios should be laid during the dry season, when they can be installed start to finish on dry soil and when the ground is not frozen. The same conditions apply for installing wet-laid stone patios. Additionally, wet-laid stone patios should be installed in relatively warm weather to speed up concrete drying.
In the long run, proper installation affects how safe, durable and attractive your stone patio will be more than any other factor. For this reason, be sure to get it right — even if it costs more upfront or the patio takes longer to install.
Typical project length: Once you receive a permit, installation times vary from about a week to multiple weeks, based on the complexity of the project and site, type of stone and installation (dry-laid or wet-laid) and size of the patio. Wet-laid stone patios and projects that require grading or drainage will take longer than sites with fewer challenges. Likewise, patios constructed of irregular stones that require fitting together will take longer than those made of uniform cut stone or precast pavers.
Best time to start: Stone patios should be laid during the dry season, when they can be installed start to finish on dry soil and when the ground is not frozen. The same conditions apply for installing wet-laid stone patios. Additionally, wet-laid stone patios should be installed in relatively warm weather to speed up concrete drying.
Bluestone pavers
Permitting: While requirements vary by state and county, assume you’ll need to submit plans to your local building commission for approval if you’re installing a new medium-to-large stone patio or replacing an existing one. Small stone patios may not require a building permit, but it’s best to double-check with your local building commission. Building departments will be primarily concerned with the safety of the new patio, where water is directed (kept on-site or aimed off property) and the total amount of permeable versus impermeable surfaces in your landscape as a whole.
Counties also vary in which surfaces they consider permeable versus impermeable. Flagstone patios with gravel and ground covers between pavers retain rainwater on site and are often, but not always, considered permeable, while patios without gaps between pavers are universally considered impermeable, as water quickly runs off.
Permitting: While requirements vary by state and county, assume you’ll need to submit plans to your local building commission for approval if you’re installing a new medium-to-large stone patio or replacing an existing one. Small stone patios may not require a building permit, but it’s best to double-check with your local building commission. Building departments will be primarily concerned with the safety of the new patio, where water is directed (kept on-site or aimed off property) and the total amount of permeable versus impermeable surfaces in your landscape as a whole.
Counties also vary in which surfaces they consider permeable versus impermeable. Flagstone patios with gravel and ground covers between pavers retain rainwater on site and are often, but not always, considered permeable, while patios without gaps between pavers are universally considered impermeable, as water quickly runs off.
Material Options
Pavers: When choosing pavers, there are a number of qualities to consider, such as shape, size, color and cost. Read about the most popular paving materials.
Pavers: When choosing pavers, there are a number of qualities to consider, such as shape, size, color and cost. Read about the most popular paving materials.
- Cut stone: Cut stone works well with any garden type, from traditional to cottage style. A wide variety of cut stones is available in hues and materials from sandstone and desert gold granite to cool-toned bluestone, slate and fine-textured limestone; prices can vary.
- Flagstone: Patios made of irregular flagstones fitted together add texture to the landscape. Due to the time it takes to fit the slabs together, installation can be more expensive than for cut stone. Flagstones complement Mediterranean, ranch and desert-style gardens.
- Precast: Precast concrete pavers are available in square, rectangular and circular shapes and can be one of the most inexpensive options.
Deborah Welch installed this approximately 17-foot-wide dry-laid stone patio of North Carolina flagstone by digging a 4½- to 5-inch-deep trench and lining it with crushed stone base under the flagstones. Gaps between the stones are filled with Gator Dust Bond, a mixture of polymer binders and calibrated stone.
Thinking about tackling parts of the project yourself? “Do it in stages,” says interior designer Deborah Welch of Transforming Rooms, who designed and co-installed the stone patio in her backyard in Jamestown, North Carolina. Start to finish it took Welch — with some helping hands — about five days to install the circular patio and the 4-foot-wide path leading up to it. “You can enjoy the process if you don’t feel time pressure,” Welch says. From her experience with interior design, Welch was able to visualize the patio’s overall size, scale and design to fit her needs. “Knowing what furniture you’ll be using can be very helpful for determining the shape and size of the patio,” she says.
Thinking about tackling parts of the project yourself? “Do it in stages,” says interior designer Deborah Welch of Transforming Rooms, who designed and co-installed the stone patio in her backyard in Jamestown, North Carolina. Start to finish it took Welch — with some helping hands — about five days to install the circular patio and the 4-foot-wide path leading up to it. “You can enjoy the process if you don’t feel time pressure,” Welch says. From her experience with interior design, Welch was able to visualize the patio’s overall size, scale and design to fit her needs. “Knowing what furniture you’ll be using can be very helpful for determining the shape and size of the patio,” she says.
If you’re planning on designing your own stone patio, Welch recommends mocking up the placement of furniture, if you have it, or using rope or spray paint to map out the size. She also recommends considering the overall scale of the patio in relation to other elements in your landscape. “In this situation, the surrounding trees are massive, so I knew the patio and path needed to be substantial in size,” she says. “I also selected large stones for the same reason, so they’d feel like they ‘fit’ next to the large trees.”
The North Carolina flagstone for the patio and pathway ran about $1,200, with an additional $90 for the firepit.
The North Carolina flagstone for the patio and pathway ran about $1,200, with an additional $90 for the firepit.
How to Get Started
Plan the patio design. Map out the dimensions of your patio based on how you’d like to use the space. Next, choose your paving materials based on the desired look and your budget. Work with a professional to come up with a plan to address any drainage issues at this point. Submit any permit requests to your local building commission and, once you’ve received a permit, you’re ready to begin.
Prep the site. Mark the perimeters of the patio (allowing for additional room for the base to extend beyond the limits of the patio) and excavate down between 7 to 12 inches (depending on soil type) for dry-laid stone patios, removing soil and rocks. Wet-laid stone patios will require 10 or more inches of excavation. Level the area, leaving a slight slope away from the home for drainage.
Lay down a geotextile fabric. Cut a geotextile fabric to fit the size and shape of your patio and cover the area you have excavated. The fabric, permeable to water but not to soil, will act as a barrier between the soil and the foundation and help with the patio’s stability over time. “Without this separation, soil migrates into the gravel, causing the foundation to fail, resulting in unsightly settling,” Koehler says.
Lay the foundation. Spread a layer of crushed stone base between 4 to 8 inches deep — depending on soil type and climate — rake smooth, level it while maintaining the slight slope and compact it with a tamper. Lay the foundation slowly, compacting with the tamper for every 2 inches of base laid, wetting the base as you go. The gravel base acts as the stabilizing foundation of your patio, providing a firm base for pavers and helping to avoid shifting or sinking down the line. To prevent the border of a patio from collapsing, Koehler recommends installing the foundation to extend beyond the edges of the patio by the same measurement as the depth of the foundation. For example, for patios with a 6-inch layer of crushed gravel base, the foundation should extend 6 inches beyond the edge of the patio. Secure the edging material, if using, in the foundation.
For wet-laid patios only: Pour a concrete foundation about 4 to 6 inches deep and allow to dry completely.
Arrange pavers. For dry-laid stone patios, top the base rock with about an inch of sand to settle the stones in place. Arrange pavers as desired, checking to make sure the pavers are level and adjusting as necessary.
For wet-laid stone pavers, mortar stones in place.
Fill gaps. Once pavers are in place for a dry-laid stone patio, fill gaps between pavers with your desired fill material. For tightly packed stone patios, sweep stone dust between stones. For those with larger gaps, fill with gravel, ground cover plants or both. For wet-laid stone patios, fill all gaps with mortar to create a smooth surface.
Plan the patio design. Map out the dimensions of your patio based on how you’d like to use the space. Next, choose your paving materials based on the desired look and your budget. Work with a professional to come up with a plan to address any drainage issues at this point. Submit any permit requests to your local building commission and, once you’ve received a permit, you’re ready to begin.
Prep the site. Mark the perimeters of the patio (allowing for additional room for the base to extend beyond the limits of the patio) and excavate down between 7 to 12 inches (depending on soil type) for dry-laid stone patios, removing soil and rocks. Wet-laid stone patios will require 10 or more inches of excavation. Level the area, leaving a slight slope away from the home for drainage.
Lay down a geotextile fabric. Cut a geotextile fabric to fit the size and shape of your patio and cover the area you have excavated. The fabric, permeable to water but not to soil, will act as a barrier between the soil and the foundation and help with the patio’s stability over time. “Without this separation, soil migrates into the gravel, causing the foundation to fail, resulting in unsightly settling,” Koehler says.
Lay the foundation. Spread a layer of crushed stone base between 4 to 8 inches deep — depending on soil type and climate — rake smooth, level it while maintaining the slight slope and compact it with a tamper. Lay the foundation slowly, compacting with the tamper for every 2 inches of base laid, wetting the base as you go. The gravel base acts as the stabilizing foundation of your patio, providing a firm base for pavers and helping to avoid shifting or sinking down the line. To prevent the border of a patio from collapsing, Koehler recommends installing the foundation to extend beyond the edges of the patio by the same measurement as the depth of the foundation. For example, for patios with a 6-inch layer of crushed gravel base, the foundation should extend 6 inches beyond the edge of the patio. Secure the edging material, if using, in the foundation.
For wet-laid patios only: Pour a concrete foundation about 4 to 6 inches deep and allow to dry completely.
Arrange pavers. For dry-laid stone patios, top the base rock with about an inch of sand to settle the stones in place. Arrange pavers as desired, checking to make sure the pavers are level and adjusting as necessary.
For wet-laid stone pavers, mortar stones in place.
Fill gaps. Once pavers are in place for a dry-laid stone patio, fill gaps between pavers with your desired fill material. For tightly packed stone patios, sweep stone dust between stones. For those with larger gaps, fill with gravel, ground cover plants or both. For wet-laid stone patios, fill all gaps with mortar to create a smooth surface.
Pennsylvania bluestone dry-laid patio measuring 12 by 14 feet, set on a base of 1 to 2 inches of stone dust and 4 to 6 inches of compacted stone base.
Considering climate: Your region’s climate will affect the type of stone you choose for your patio as well as its construction. “All stone varies in its brittleness,” says landscape architect Jennifer Horn of JHLA, based in Arlington, Virginia. “Pennsylvania bluestone is pretty tough, but if you are dry-laying it you want to select a thicker piece. The thickness should be selected based on the installation specifications and the use of the space.” For choosing stone type for your region, consult with a local professional.
In areas with hard winter freezes, Horn also recommends dry-laying pavers, rather than wet-laying. “Concrete can age in our climate due to freeze-thaw cycles,” Horn says, which can lead to patio cracking. Dry-laid stone patios allow for water to drain through the patio and into the ground rather than freezing in cracks in a concrete base.
Considering climate: Your region’s climate will affect the type of stone you choose for your patio as well as its construction. “All stone varies in its brittleness,” says landscape architect Jennifer Horn of JHLA, based in Arlington, Virginia. “Pennsylvania bluestone is pretty tough, but if you are dry-laying it you want to select a thicker piece. The thickness should be selected based on the installation specifications and the use of the space.” For choosing stone type for your region, consult with a local professional.
In areas with hard winter freezes, Horn also recommends dry-laying pavers, rather than wet-laying. “Concrete can age in our climate due to freeze-thaw cycles,” Horn says, which can lead to patio cracking. Dry-laid stone patios allow for water to drain through the patio and into the ground rather than freezing in cracks in a concrete base.
For the stone patio pictured here, Horn used natural cleft Pennsylvania bluestone set on 1 to 2 inches of stone dust and 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone. “Our client wanted a peaceful place where she could entertain a small group or relax solo,” Horn says. “We erred on a smaller size, as we didn’t want her to feel marooned in a too-large patio when she’s sitting outside with a good book, a glass of wine and her dogs.” The overall patio measures 12 by 14 feet.
A 250- to 300-square-foot dry-laid patio made of a combination of precast “Maya” slabs and “Antika” pavers, both available from Techo-Bloc.
Considering soil type: In addition to climate, your soil type will affect the construction of your patio. “In Central Virginia, the predominant soil type is clay, which requires a compacted gravel foundation measuring 6 to 8 inches in depth,” Greg Koehler says. Patios laid in areas with predominantly sandy or silty soils have less expansion and contraction than clay-based soil types, so they may require less of a gravel base. “Depending on your soil type, you may only need a foundation of 2 to 4 inches depth, or you might need 10 to 12 inches or more,” Koehler says. It’s best to have your soil tested before you begin to determine how deep a base is needed.
Climate and rainfall also affect how thick a gravel base should be laid below the stone patio. In general, patios in areas that receive heavy rainfall and snow will require a deeper base layer than drier regions.
Get the Dirt on Your Garden’s Soil
Considering soil type: In addition to climate, your soil type will affect the construction of your patio. “In Central Virginia, the predominant soil type is clay, which requires a compacted gravel foundation measuring 6 to 8 inches in depth,” Greg Koehler says. Patios laid in areas with predominantly sandy or silty soils have less expansion and contraction than clay-based soil types, so they may require less of a gravel base. “Depending on your soil type, you may only need a foundation of 2 to 4 inches depth, or you might need 10 to 12 inches or more,” Koehler says. It’s best to have your soil tested before you begin to determine how deep a base is needed.
Climate and rainfall also affect how thick a gravel base should be laid below the stone patio. In general, patios in areas that receive heavy rainfall and snow will require a deeper base layer than drier regions.
Get the Dirt on Your Garden’s Soil
For this custom patio that Koehler designed and installed for a client, he used a combination of precast “Maya” slabs and “Antika” pavers, both from Techo-Bloc, to create a unique design around a firepit. The pavers were dry-laid over a 6- to 8-inch-deep compacted gravel foundation, with a 1-inch-deep bedding layer of sand to set the pavers. Polymeric sand — which locks in place when set — was used in the joints. The patio, and a second larger one closer to the house, took four to five weeks to install, including lighting and surrounding landscaping for both areas.
A custom-designed patio with unique material such as this one is likely to cost between $32 and $40 per square foot (including materials and installation).
A custom-designed patio with unique material such as this one is likely to cost between $32 and $40 per square foot (including materials and installation).
Maintenance: Stone patios take little week-to-week maintenance besides raking leaves or sweeping debris. Some stones (like limestone) are more porous and vulnerable to stains. If you drop oil or acidic liquids like vinegar, wipe up soon after with a wet cloth.
For dry-laid stone patios, some stones may shift over time and require some resetting. Gravel between pavers may also sink and need topping off. Using a sealant on a stone patio can help prevent stains, mold or algae growth. Sealants typically last between two to three years, and many different formulas are available.
For dry-laid stone patios, some stones may shift over time and require some resetting. Gravel between pavers may also sink and need topping off. Using a sealant on a stone patio can help prevent stains, mold or algae growth. Sealants typically last between two to three years, and many different formulas are available.
Other Considerations
Size. When planning your patio, think about how you’d like to use the space, or work around existing patio furniture. There are a number of rules of thumb and ranges of sizes that you can use as reference when mapping out your patio.
Location. How you’d like to use your patio and the overall layout of your landscape will also affect where you choose to position it. Patios next to the house are great for outdoor dining, cooking and entertaining since they become a natural extension of the home and reduce the distance you need to travel to bring plates of food from the kitchen to an outdoor table. Patios set farther in the garden become destinations to relax in the garden, perhaps around a fire feature.
Drainage. All patios should be designed with drainage in mind and with a slight slope to direct water away from the house. For large patios, it can also make sense to add sections of permeability to a patio or drain tiles. It’s best to consult with a local professional to see what would be best for your site.
Shade. When mapping out your patio size and location, also consider your climate and whether shade will be needed over the patio. You may need to budget extra room on the patio to accommodate a shade structure or decide to site your patio under a leafy tree to provide natural shade.
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Size. When planning your patio, think about how you’d like to use the space, or work around existing patio furniture. There are a number of rules of thumb and ranges of sizes that you can use as reference when mapping out your patio.
Location. How you’d like to use your patio and the overall layout of your landscape will also affect where you choose to position it. Patios next to the house are great for outdoor dining, cooking and entertaining since they become a natural extension of the home and reduce the distance you need to travel to bring plates of food from the kitchen to an outdoor table. Patios set farther in the garden become destinations to relax in the garden, perhaps around a fire feature.
Drainage. All patios should be designed with drainage in mind and with a slight slope to direct water away from the house. For large patios, it can also make sense to add sections of permeability to a patio or drain tiles. It’s best to consult with a local professional to see what would be best for your site.
Shade. When mapping out your patio size and location, also consider your climate and whether shade will be needed over the patio. You may need to budget extra room on the patio to accommodate a shade structure or decide to site your patio under a leafy tree to provide natural shade.
More
Details Bring 15 Patios to Life
What to Know About Installing a Walkway of Pavers and Pebbles
Other Resources on Houzz
Find a design pro near you
Browse outdoor furniture
While generally more expensive upfront than decking, stone patios require little annual maintenance, making them valuable long-term investments. “A properly installed patio can and should outlast us all,” says landscape designer Greg Koehler of Richmond, Virginia-based design firm Outdoor Dreams.