Stone Patios & Paving In Seattle
Custom Paths and Hardscape Surfaces
Shepherd Stoneworks is an established and experienced stone patio contractor in Seattle, including Bellevue and the surrounding areas. We are very experienced with both mortared and sand-set paving, using both random natural flagstone and rectangular pavers and tiles, even mosaics.
Dedication to structural integrity, creative and balanced design plus good customer relations set us apart from the rest.
In business in Seattle since 2003.
Below is an overview of the types and styles of stone paving we design and build, with descriptions of how each type is installed.
Table of Contents:
Natural Flagstone – random shapes of flat stone trimmed to fit neatly
Dimensional Flagstone – squares and rectangles of flat stone in patterns
Cobblestone – thick tumbled pieces of split stone ideal for stone driveways
Concrete Pavers – precast concrete units of varying styles and colors
MORTARED STONE PAVING
Natural Flagstone – random shapes of flat stone mortared and grouted
Tile and Dimensional Flagstone – rectangular stone mortared and grouted
PATIOS AND PAVING FULL GALLERY
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Sand-Set Stone Paving
Actually set in finely crushed rock, "sand-set" paving relies on compaction, friction and gravity to make a hardscape surface that is very firm and reliable for foot traffic, and even driveways under the right conditions. It is also considerably faster and less expensive to install, plus it drains better than a slab.
Natural Flagstone
Natural flagstone is purchased in pallets of randomly-shaped flat pieces of varying sizes, usually between 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" in thickness. After excavating the soil and laying a bed of compacted crushed rock, we lay out, cut and fit the stones into pleasing arrangements, careful to follow certain rules for making a harmonious and structurally sound pattern. Once the stones are all in place, stabilized and leveled using string lines, we then secure the perimeter and sweep crushed rock into the joints. The surface is sprayed clean, and after the joint fill has dried it bonds together to remain intact and prevent movement of the stones.
Dimensional Flagstone Pavers
Flagstone is also available in predetermined shapes, normally in the form of various squares and rectangles, often available in corresponding mixed sizes that can be arranged in patterns. Flagstone (any flat stone suitable for paving) is available in multiple varieties of stone from different regions, and it is fabricated in multiple ways. The most common dimensional stone, Pennsylvania Bluestone, is made by saw-cutting a deep grid pattern into bedrock after which the pieces are pried up in layers. More commonly, dimensional stone is saw cut off of big blocks of quarry stone, then milled into shapes and given a surface treatment, either with heat or hammering. Sand-set dimensional stone needs to be at least 1-1/4" thick if not more because it needs enough weight to provide a walkable surface long-term. Just like with natural flagstone, it is laid in a compacted bed of crushed rock. After layout is complete and the pieces are leveled and stabilized, the joints are swept full of crushed rock and the surface is washed clean.
Cobblestone
Cobblestones can be defined as thick but small pieces of natural stone well suited for road paving as well as foot paths. The kind that most people are familiar with are street cobbles which are usually saw-faced on two sides and split-faced on the other two, rectangular, and tumbled to soften the edges. The most widely available are around 4"x4"x8" while larger ones used in colder climates are 6"x6"x12". Stone driveways are best done using cobblestones because something wider and thinner like flagstone would be too fragile to support the weight of a car in the long run and would tend to crack or move. Another way to pave with cobblestones is to use various types of wall stone or granite rubble and assemble hand-cut pieces in a more randomized paver pattern, not unlike the face of a drystack wall. Cobbles are also often used as border material for flagstone paving as the thickness helps secure the perimeter, and larger cobbles can also be use as a kind of raised curbing material. Locally here in Seattle we have granite and sandstone cobbles, but there are also imported Bluestone, Basalt and Quartzite varieties available. City streets tend to mortar cobblestones onto a slab, but driveways are most often done using sand-set methods (ie. set in crushed rock) with an extra deep base using heavier gravel under the main crushed layer.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are a popular choice for hardscaping being relatively less expensive than stone while having many options to suit your style. They are set on a base of crushed rock - traditionally they were laid on a separate layer of sand, but now that finer grades of crushed rock are widely available there is no need to involve the less reliable qualities of sand. Sizes of the various paver products range in diameter from 4" cobble shapes up to 24" paver slabs. The textures include smooth modern to rippled slate and the colors are varied, including some swirled mixes that mimic natural stone. Most styles are made to fit with only an 1/8" joint width, making them generally easier to clean than stone installations. And this narrow gap allows for sand as the fill material. Polymeric sand is a water-based resin product which sweeps in like regular sand but which hardens after being moistened and allowed to dry. This material works well in these concrete paver contexts and provide a neater and more resilient filler. Among the locally available brands around Seattle to consider include Mutual Materials, Belgard, Abbotsford, Castohn and Newstone.
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Mortared Stone Paving
A masonry stone veneer over a concrete slab provides an exceptionally strong and formal surface for outdoor living, being ultimately more well-suited for constant use, greater traffic and more regular cleaning.
Natural Flagstone - Mortared
In order to install mortared natural flagstone there must first be a base slab of concrete that is not only structurally sound but also has a top surface that is around 3" below the desired height. We pour our slabs with plenty of rebar and on top of a bed of drain rock to prevent damage from erosion. For extra longevity we might also apply a crack-resistant membrane. The stones are laid out in small sections, cut to fit and mortared in place by the end of each day. This allows that portion to dry so we can do the next day's section of work using the existing surface as a guide. Once the entire slab is covered we clean the whole thing and begin pointing the joints with mortar, AKA grouting. The surfaces have to be thoroughly cleaned as we go to minimize haze. Altogether it is a long process, but the results are striking and built to last.
Dimensional Flagstone and Tile - Mortared
As in the method for mortar-setting natural flagstone, dimensional flagstones and tiles need a solid and reliable concrete base. And certain steps are taken to ensure the stones are attached as firmly as possible. Dimensional stone must be arranged in a pattern, and we work with the customer to help select the best one for the project and the qualities of the chosen material. For outdoor paving that is influenced by the elements it is important to use material on the thick side. At least 1" thick for dense tile stone, at least 1-1/2" for flagstone (cleft stone tends to have a slight warp to it like lumber that can worsen over time, so the thicker the better). Once the cladding is done being attached we clean it thoroughly and then apply the grout, AKA tuckpointing.
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Stone Paving Full Gallery
Here are some of the photographic highlights of our patio and path work in the Greater Seattle Area since 2003
