Help with Patio Stone Lay out

[tommu56]

Dont for get the common denomiter on the "odd" sides id 6" so I would lay it out on a 6" scale or grid on graph paper or in cadd that said that stond can be cut if needed.


24"x18" = 4x3 on 6" grid
24x24 = 4x4
24x30 = 4x5
24x36 = 4x6
24x42 = 4x7

tom

 

[JB4310]

Dont for get the common denomiter on the "odd" sides id 6" so I would lay it out on a 6" scale or grid on graph paper or in cadd that said that stond can be cut if needed.


24"x18" = 4x3 on 6" grid
24x24 = 4x4
24x30 = 4x5
24x36 = 4x6
24x42 = 4x7

tom

Thanks again all,

My first attempt to use the graph paper I did the 1 sq = 6" but the pcs are to small and hard to work with. cat walked by the coffee table where I was working and caught his curly tail on the edge and messed the whole thing up

I'll probably go back to the paper dolls, just have to make them bigger and stiffer with a larger and heavier grid paper.

Every example of blue stone patio images I could find on the web are all random patterns, but all end up with small fillers. I don't want small pcs, maybe 12x24 minimum.
I'm almost thinking to be different to go with the 24" courses, the lengths are all different so the end joints would be random anyway, not really going for an artsy look, more of utilitarian look.

I'll take pictures of the project as I go should be an interesting thread unless I start pulling my hair out

JB.

 

[Danno1]

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JB,

A lot of non CAD people use Google Sketch-up. Even some of the guys on this board! Although I've never personally used it ( I do CAD at work), it's supposed to be really easy to use.

It's a free download.

.

 

[PA hayseed]

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JB,

A lot of non CAD people use Google Sketch-up. Even some of the guys on this board! Although I've never personally used it ( I do CAD at work), it's supposed to be really easy to use.

It's a free download.

.

I second that, I am no architect, and I managed to use it in 3days to design the addition for my house. Including floors, colors windows, etc. I am also not a contractor.

Just so that you know, a truly random pattern is exactly that. Just start dropping and filling in. Either that or go with a box pattern , you have to stare to see the pattern. I think you will have the benefit of being able to cut to size.

Stone Edging Examples this is an example of what I mean. One very big stone in the center, then at every corner smaller ones, then fill between. In th link look at the brown colored one by the bench and you will see what I mean.

Good luck, this pattern can be a large PITA.

 

[riptides]

I did a project like this about a year ago. Around 330-400 square feet. It was right up next to our house, an outbuilding, and an old well. Quite complex as far as layout. I'll get some pics up tonight.

I chose a totally random pattern. I layed as I went. Big stones went in towards the central "sitting" areas. It is back breaking work. I had all the materials, graded and leveled the area, and started laying. I got one "row" down, and the SO called in professionals for estimates. I was working too slow, and she saw how hard it was on me.

Well the price for laying it was crazy! So I did it myself. I tore up the row, and just went random again. Square feet is, square feet! If your in a square or rectangle, it ain't gonna matter.

One issue I had, is since I had varients, the size did not matter, the thickness DID. Each stone had to be hand dug next to where the others laid. I had some that varied between 2" and 3 1/2" thickness. This caused me to spend a lot of time "laying" each stone.

Crushed blue stone packs well and hard when you run your tractor over it.

I went back to the store for a 12X12 and another piece at the end. There is a god, because I had nothing left over. No cuts, except for around my hand-pump well.

I used a hand scrapper garden tool, to bust up the blue stone for stone laying. I used a rubber mallot to pound each stone down. A 2X4X12 was used as a level to keep me honest.

Like I said, I'll get some pics uploaded later.

 

[JB4310]

Well I started prepping the site,

Thanks for the replies

I haven't decided for sure, but am leaning towards just doing straight lines, these stone are all 24" wide so I would have a straight joint every 2 feet, the lengths vary so there would be some random look to it. I've seen many stone patio pics and am kinda getting tired of that style, I know that is the standard but I think I'll try something different. prepping an area 20ft x 24ft.


Riptides,
I would like to see pics of yours, maybe I'll get some ideas.
Yeah my stones are all different thickness, I'm sure that's gonna be fun, they vary from about 1.25 - 2.5.
I'm digging down 8 inches, I'll put about 4 inches of compacted process road base, then stone dust to bed the patio stones.

I'm thinking of running a course up both sides then filling in between the with the courses perpendicular to the sides, this way I can stretch a string between the sides to help with setting the stones level.


JB.

 

[JB4310]

Yeah I gave up on the drawing program, I fooled around with Sketch Up, but ended up going back to my cave man roots, I took the paper doll concept a step further and cut 1/4" foam board to scale and got some oversize graph paper where 1" equals 1 foot.

It was a PITN cutting all those pieces but they are alot easier to move around than the stone! Once I get it where I want I'll pick up the piece and mark the graph paper and then I'll basically have a blue print and wont have to think what the next stone size or location will be.

The HTL controlled 5 ft boxblade is making the prep easier, also using the dump trailer to bring the spoil out to the far backyard. Having the quick hitch makes it easy to drop the box and throw the receiver adaptor on.

JB.

 

[mjncad]

Looks good, and foam core board has lots of uses.

 

[SPIKER]

Looks like flagstone? We (I) put it down also however, ours was irregular.
Crud... I can't find a quick picture that really shows the back patio. you can see it but it has tables all over the place (taken day of our wedding which we held on patio)

Hey Richard: I'm just starting a similar project using somewhat softer sand stone from my creek bed, these are all random sized stuff some are thin and I'll be putting them onto some sort of sand base. what type material (sand stone or?) did you use to fill in between the larger gaps and what would you do different. Reason I asking is I'm not wanting to make a lot of mistakes, maybe I can learn something new
I have a lot of this type of rock probably will crack some but the patio is at a house that is going to be sold and want it to look nice to help the price. it is very soft until it drys some once dried it hardens up OK. getting it out of the creek is not easy but the price otherwise is good. Yes that is a natural stone with ROOT patterns on it also a lot of BEACH critters can be found in some if it. sandstone with iron & biological type formations all through it. should make a very interesting patio.

hardest part will be getting it all to set level, most of it is 1~2" thick some with thicker sections (border chunks ~4"x4"x20" or more long) and or thinner sections. the thick stuff I plan to put in the traffic patterns through gate & natural walking area. the thin stuff will be right along the basement wall and or the tree. forgot to mention there is a 6' dia tree that will border this patio.
Mark

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

sand is used a lot of places as a base.
I've also seen folks use agrilime or crusher run as a base, as it tamps well and sets up hard.
If you set your stones fairly close together (1/4" or less) you can use dry mortar mix to help hold them in place. just dump it on the stones when you're done and use a stiff bristle shop broom to swwep it into the cracks and level it. Rain will set it in place. (you can do the same thing with sand or agrilime as well - it just won't harden with time and moisture -- and will allow weeds to grow in the cracks)