Pics of Flagstone staircases

[Silver_odd_o]

Hey everyone, I need some ideas for flagstone steps and borders. A woman we did a job for would like a set of steps from their cabin to the lake. They have a brown/tan generic keystone wall in the front and the cabin is sided with half log and has a green roof and trim. there wil be about 3-4 seperate stair cases/steps and 2-3 flat walkway areas that we need to do somthing with. I've never worked with flagstone so I need some ideas and advice. Thanks in advance.

[JimLewis]

First, I will preface by saying that - for steps - flagstone really isn't a very good choice. For walkways/pathways - sure. But not steps. Split Basalt is much sturdier and a much better choice. Anyway, that being said, sometimes people do use flagstone for steps. And here is one such picture...


http://www.cybcon.com/~jimlewis/FL2.jpg

[JimLewis]

But like I said, flagstone isn't really the best choice. Stairs should be very sturdy and have a good footing. The thin nature of flagstone doesn't really lend itself to being used as a sturdy stairway. So here is the way we usually do it - with split basalt rectangles....

http://www.cybcon.com/~jimlewis/Basalt%20Stairs2.jpg

[JimLewis]

Here is another way to do Basalt Stairs. I prefer the cleaner look of the pic. just above. But I see this a lot....

http://www.cybcon.com/~jimlewis/Basalt%20Steps2.jpg

[JimLewis]

And yet another way to do it - but for this you'll need some heavy lifting equipment. These are some seriously heavy pieces of basalt.....



http://www.cybcon.com/~jimlewis/Large%20Basalt%20Stairs2.jpg

[JimLewis]

And finally, this is a cool picture that may help you with installation. I prefer 1/4 minus gravel to sand. But both work well. The point is to have a good solid footing. You'll want to tamp down the footing with a tamper too.

http://www.cybcon.com/~jimlewis/Basalt%20Stairs%203.jpg

[Silver_odd_o]

Thanks Jim, that definatly gives me some ideas, The Basalt looks like the way to go, but in the end its all up to the owner.

[vardener]

Great work jim!

My fave is the last one (not the illustration)