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Landscape Design Design Dilemma

reshaping existing flagstone patio

3 years ago

I have a rectangular grey flagstone patio and I am considering redesigning the yard. I would like to change the rectangular shape to a circular shape. Can this be easily done? First photo is existing patio, second photo is a closeup of the edge, and third photo is how I would like it to look.

Comments (6)

PRO
Derviss Design
3 years ago
Yes it can be done. Easily, no, but with skill and correct machinery it is attainable.

If the concrete sub base for the stone patio was done properly there will be a grid of rebar in the body of the concrete. Two different saw blades will be required to cut thru the body - one to cut thru the stone and one to cut thru the metal bar. One could theoretically use the stone blade for the full body cut but it is a waste of a good diamond tipped blade and most craftspeople perfer to use the right blade for the right job. After cutting with with a walk behind or a hand held saw you'll probably want to clean your cuts up with a cup grinder .

A skilled mason will understand the process. I would not recommend this as a DIY'er project .
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I think by the time you try to save what is there you could have it removed and start over . I will say it requires a much larger circle to get furniture arranged and I am not sure why you want a round area instead so maybe share a bit more info. I much prefer to wotk with rectangular shaped spaces except for a fire pit area.
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- 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.
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That is a well-known poolside finish - good traction. Have you tried scrubbing it really well? Sandstone has to be sealed, it stains easily (porous), and if it gets wet and freezes, it can shed layers. If you have a good concrete base, you can set extremely thin slabs of sandstone in thin mortar. You will raise the patio an inch or so, which will cause drainage problems for the pool. Pool borders have to be higher than the surroundings or rainwater and crud flows into the pool and you have unending filter and algae problems. Setting slabs that are thick enough for foot traffic on sand would require a couple inches of sand and 1.5 inch slabs and look really weird, as well as causing dirt problems for the pool. You don't want dirt next to the pool. Trust me. Walking across planting to get to the pool will track crud into the pool and increase the cleaning effort. Ripping out that existing border gets you into all kinds of problems, because you can't do it without high risk of damaging the tile ... and removing damaged tile risks damaging the pool's surface and it cascades from there. Basically, scrub it really well and live with it until you have enough money for a complete patio removal and replacement or look into the acrylic re-surfacing for pool decks (fake flagstone) that only raise the surface a tiny bit.
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Seems to me that you would want a more solid foundation to lay flagstone over to prevent uneven settling of the flagstone. I would clear the rocks out and lay approximately 1.5" of sand base and place the flagstone on top of that. Or, you can try self-leveling concrete to fill in the gaps between your rock and make a more even foundation surface.
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Comments (31)
To explain my reasons in general…i like a more natural look than hardscaped….A thinnish layer of gravel is easier to walk on and less likely to spread into other areas..skipping the cloth allows a 2” layer to suffice….over time it will eventually mix with the soil for a pretty solid base….after that …I keep a garbage can of pea gravel to fill in occasionally if needed…harder surfaces are more likely to “crack”…discolor..stain…but mostly just does t look “natural” to me……also an occasional spray of water will keep the dust down…as opposed to a harder surface that will require much more water for washing…a small cordless garden blower easily removes leaves and other green bits..so raking doesn’t become a big chore…pea gravel does come in different colors…so call around to see what is available …artistically the material accentuates the creatively shaped sections as well
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nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
3 years ago
get some curved benches and create a circle..or some big pots..just my opinion but I like your patio as it is..
kitasei2
3 years ago
You could achieve a curved edge by planting a creeping plant like phlox subulata or wooly thyme which will spread over the stone and can be trimmed in the shape you want.
glaserberl
3 years ago
The round patio is not flagstone but a cement paver. Mega Arbel. Looks like Flagstone. It would probably be cheaper to do a new patio with those than reworking the flagstone.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mega+arbel+round+patio&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiA6MGB3abtAhURfqwKHZaRDf0Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=mega+arbel+round+patio&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECAAQQzoCCAA6BggAEAUQHjoGCAAQCBAeOgQIABAYUJ2xAVifpAJgwacCaARwAHgBgAG7A4gBmimSAQkyLjUuNy41LjKYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=DgrDX4CpEZH8sQWWo7boDw&bih=579&biw=1280&client=firefox-b-1-d#imgrc=vD_bU-RKloIUpM
MissEcho
Original Author
3 years ago
Wow—thanks so much. This is really helpful.

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