Important Details About Flagstones

If you have decided to make your backyard even more appealing and are exploring the available options for hardscape features, you’ve probably come across the notion of flagstone. A lot of people are not familiar with this type of material, yet landscape contractors use it on a regular basis, and probably so do the reliable companies in Rancho Penasquitos and the area. The truth is, it can be a wonderful addition to your features, so have a look at all the details you should know about this type of stone. Read on for more info.

What is flagstone?

Flagstone refers to flat pieces of different kinds of natural stone. In fact, a stonemason strikes or chisels large stones breaking them into flat sheets. Further on, the mason needs to cut these sheets into smaller size pieces that you can use in your backyard or for other purposes. As for the types of rocks used to make flagstone, there’s a large variety ranging from those that are softer to the really hard ones. The most usual soft stones are sedimentary rocks such as shale, limestone, and sandstone. Moving on to medium hardness, you can often see basalt and granite. Finally, the most difficult ones to break are metamorphic rocks including marble and quartzite. When it comes to the shape and size, flagstone pieces can be smaller and larger, and they come in a variety of shapes. Smaller ones are usually between 12” and 18” while larger pieces vary from 18” to 36”. Their shape can be versatile including square and rectangular, but they’re also available in more natural looking varieties.

What is the history of flagstone?

If you’re wondering about the early use of flagstone and how it developed over the ages, have a look at the following info about its beginnings and different uses.

The name

When it comes to the origin of the name, there are a couple of possibilities. One of them comes from a Middle English word “flagge” which means turf. However, in Old Norse, the word “flaga”, from which the previous one probably originates, means chip or slab, which is an obvious connection to the notion of a flagstone.

Early use

While it started finding its use over hundreds of years ago in different formation types, it wasn’t until 1900’s that people started using flagstone instead of cobblestone as a significant improvement. The reason is obvious – it was much easier to shape it into a flat surface suitable for paving.

Modern era

Over the years, flagstone has found its way into many different areas of modern living. From kitchen countertops to roadways and walkways, apart from being durable it also gives any space a sophisticated yet natural look. You can even use it for siding and roofing. However, the two most common applications are definitely stepping stones and flagstone patios which have many advantages over the other patio types.

Where can I hire reliable landscape contractors in Rancho Penasquitos?

Whether you’re looking for the best way to implement flagstone in your landscape, or you simply want to add another amazing feature to your backyard, feel free to reach out to Pacific Dreamscapes. Thanks to our highly qualified staff, modern and efficient approach, and sophisticated style, we’re able to successfully turn our clients’ landscape into their oasis. Whether you reside in the bay area by the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, or in any of the nearby neighborhoods, we’ll be happy to help you design and build your outdoor space according to your own desires and needs. Give us a call today and schedule your initial appointment!