- clay's not a sufficient base. You need a min 4" compacted gravel base (21A/c6/crusher run/whatever they call 3/4" minus in your area) - 3" of sand is way too much. The sand layer is for adjustment and levelling, typically 1". For flagstone you can use stone dust instead. - 1" flag isn't great for dry lay, but it can work if it's all you have. 1.5"+ is better - your edge restraint is a creative solution. Easier would have been to use a paver edge restraint, an L-shaped piece of plastic that has evenly spaced holes to accept 1/2" galvanized spikes. That way your edge doesn't start failing when the buried timbers rot. - growing stuff in the cracks can be a challenge (not much wants to grow in sand over a compacted base in the shade. Well, except weeds.). I would use a polymeric sand in the joints and be done with it. There are numerous ways to skin a cat. Will your way work for your purposes? More than likely. But since you asked, I figured I'd lay out the way I'd specify one.

Jeff, the level is up to you. You can level the area by increasing the amount of mortar or maintain the slope. After you have laid the thin flagstone on the concrete base, and it has dried, you will grout between the stones. Be sure to use some admix (like elmers glue) in your mortar mix so you get a good bond to the old concrete pavement. On the grassy area: You are going to remove the grass down maybe 3" and add crushed stone or granite gravel, lower than the old sidewalk and depending on the thickness of your flagstone. Now tamp it down (again leveled or slopped)and sprinkle some dry portland cement on the top. In this area you want to use a thicker flagstone and you are only going to use enough sand to level the stone. When all the stone is down mist everything so that the portland grabs onto the flagstone and the gravel. Now you are ready to grout between the stones and it will look like one continuous patio. The only place that you will need edging is where the stone is not held in by something e.g. the edge where the steps are. I've actually used the thin edging for pavers that you get at the big box stores. My step comment had to do with the blue line and the lag bolt trim pcs but if you mortar the flagstone you won't need anything special there. Bailey

Pammyfay, I have had both. I had flagstone installed about ten years ago and hated, hated, hated it. BUT, that is not to discourage you because I now know mine was not installed properly. They just took up the grass, put a bit of sand down and laid the flagstones. The problem was that I had not down my research - not much on the internet then. I just trusted someone. He left large gaps and the stones shifted. Every year I tried to fill in the holes and smooth it out. Finally, last year I had it replaced with pavers and love, love, love it. I like that there are no gaps and that it is very easy to care for. Budge1, your combination sounds wonderful. Flagstone done correctly is beautiful. I would think it would take more care as there are larger gaps in it. I used some of the flagstones to create two walkways in my gardens. My best suggestion whatever you choose is to do your homework. Read, read, read on the internet how it is supposed to be done, i.e., depth of base, slope away from the house, etc. Then when someone comes to give you an estimate, you can know if they know what they are talking about. I love the look of flagstones and if my husband hadn't heard me b*tch about them for over ten years, I may have tried them again. Stamped concrete is yet another look. I have seen it done beautifully. I wanted the more natural, old-world look. Now if it would only warm up a bit here in northern Ohio and stop raining, I could enjoy it!!! Before: After:

Compaction is the key to a stable, reliable patio base. The photographs do not show how much pitch you have, but normal pitch is 1/8" per linear foot or about 1% for brick and stone patios. It is usually 2% for concrete. Nothing is foolproof and perhaps you have more pitch than can be detected in the photographs. You could try again and make sure you get the stone in the gaps prior to a rain. When you compact the base rent the biggest compactor you can find/handle. I cannot see what you used for the base but it should be CA-6 which is also known as road mix. You might also consider a granular rock such as decomposed granite for the joints and not river rock. River rock will let a lot of water through and will not help stabilize the flagstone at all. I hope this helps a bit. Good luck with your project.