Ideas for *facing* a plain old concrete porch.

[Barron Thompson]

Below is a (clickable) picture of my plain concrete porch.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/owentdc/Home%20stuff/th_concretefrontporchminuswroughtironrail.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/owentdc/Home%20stuff/concretefrontporchminuswroughtironrail.jpg)

I removed the wrought iron rails that surrounded it. My concrete patches can still be seen but it’s not only these that are an eye sore. It’s soooooo boring to look at. I’m sure someone here has an idea or two to make it look more interesting. I included some pics of the flagstone path and steps that lead up to the porch.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/owentdc/Home%20stuff/th_flagstonefrontstep.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/owentdc/Home%20stuff/flagstonefrontstep.jpg)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/owentdc/Home%20stuff/th_flagstonefrontpath.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/owentdc/Home%20stuff/flagstonefrontpath.jpg)

[UNISCAPER]

Use a product called "Rox". they are pre cut sections of various stones glued to a netting so all you do is mortar them down and grout your joints. Or iof you want to be creative, get some quartzite, 1" minus, and cut the joints the way you want to see them, them mortar it down.

[Barron Thompson]

I'll check for Rox up here. Thanks for replying! So what you're saying is keep whatever I decide to do consistent with the flagstone that the porch connects with? For-instance, pavers wouldn't make much sense 'cause it would conflict with the brick exterior and the flagstone.

[UNISCAPER]

Exactly. There are a few things that drive me crazy. One is multipe textures in entryways. You got some nice flag going in the walk, and it is unlikely to change the brick, so, keep the flag consistant.

[Barron Thompson]

Thanks Bill!

That sounds like good advice. What people typically do is install brown or green coloured indoor/outdoor carpet. Is that the same out your way?

We kinda want to get rid of the mortared look in the existing flagstone. Our plan is to *break* up the mortar, raise the path and pitch it a bit better to eliminate the pooling of rain/sprinkler water.

When we re-install the flag (and do the porch facing) would stone dust suffice in-between? Could the Rox be installed with construction adhesive to the porch?

I've emailed the Rox people and have yet to hear back from them.

[UNISCAPER]

Rox is a pretty hard company to contact, they are new and growing, but they have some pretty cool stuff. Since the stone is imported, and we are a sea port, we have easiest access.

I am not at all a fan of dry laid screenings in the joints flagstone. We typically pour a concrete slab/walk/ whatever, let it sit, then mortar flagstone to the top and grout the joints with either colored mortar, grount, etc.

Dry laid flagstone lasts just about through the first rain, and when someone trips, we coulc end up with a lawsuit because it is not the adopted standard here.

You can use adhesives on any stone to stone situation, but I would rather see mortar for flagstone. If there are any inconsistant hieghts, the mortar bed will eliminate it by floating your stone.

[Barron Thompson]

... If there are any inconsistant heights, the mortar bed will eliminate it by floating your stone.
Bill
Stupid me! I didn't even consider the inconsistent heights. Duh! The mortar sounds like the way to go. Thanks again for your advice.