Flagstone

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Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 09 63 00

Traditional uses

Traditionally an exterior material.

Uses include; paving, landscaping, walkways and patios

Emerging uses / trends

Emerging as an interior material, for example, showers, kitchen and bath countertops and flooring, decorative walls.

Rustic look is popular for sunrooms

Finish and aesthetic qualities

Flagstone is hard, durable, resists abrasion,non-porous and non-slip.

Colors vary depending on quarry location. Variations may include buff, blue, gray, brown, or rust.

Stone surface has a natural cleft (stratified or layered)that can be honed, polished or left in its natural state. Thermal finish can be applied to create a more consistent texture.

Edge Finishes can be Flamed (cut 90 degrees from the face of the stone and is torched to give the stone a natural look), Rocked (top and bottom of the desired dressed edges are chiseled by hand creating a distinct, rustic appearance, Bullnosed (rounded over edge)

Surface forms / shapes

Uncut; irregular edges and rustic look
Edges can be hand cut or sawn, dressed, left exposed, or bull nosed
Shapes can be measured out or broken randomly
Applications include flat surfacing, either vertical or horizontal

Cost analysis

Typical flagstone $3- $5/SqFt.
Thin flagstone $2.50- $4.00/SqFt
Special cuts $5.00/SqFt and up

Material properties

Primary structural use

Fireplace hearth
Pillars
Arches
Keystones with soldiers or lintels
Corner stones
Wallcaps

Material performance

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Dimensional and opening restriction

Standard dimensions

Size varies from 11 ½” x 11 ½” to 23 ½” x 35 ½” and increases in 6” multiples (width and length)
Thickness varies from 1/2" to 4"
Larger units readily available

Opening Restrictions

Edges can be scored and cut
Large openings can be structural with keystones or lintels and finished with corner stones, sills, hearthstones and wallcaps
Countertops can be cut to accomodate sinks, bluestone particularly good for cutting
Switching and outlet openings easily provided for with “lightbox” artificial stones with pre-cut openings

Acoustic property

Sound and insulation vary according to stone cut and arrangement
Flat, polished slabs creates strong reverberation
Textured, small surface area creates weak if any reverberation

Manufacturing process and assembly

Naturally occuring
Mined from quarries
Slabs cut and sawn into desired shape
Thin flags cleaved or split from stone
Composed of 70% quartzite or silca for added strength

Installation and assembly

If laying in cement, flagstone should be 3/4”-1” thick
For laying in cement mortar, leave 2 1/2”-3” from rough concrete slab to finish grade
If laying in sand or loam, flagstone 1 1/4”-1 1/2” thick

Environment and Life Safety

Environmental impact

Flagstone is very durable and releases few if any emissions when untreated. In its natural state, it is one of the best-tolerated stone products for people with chemical sensitivities or chronic respiratory ailments. For many interior applications, Flagstone is chemically treated and thus will resist stains and oils, something that is does not do naturally. Overall this material is easy to maintain and flexible in use.

Coefficient of friction

High
Polished 0.7
Natural cleft 0.9

References

Student contributions

Shalini Sookar, Spring 2008
Jen Koffel, Spring 2007
Heather Patnode, Fall 2005

External links

Leading manufacturers