The porch and steps in the picture on my Patio Design page are basically dry laid. The bluestone treads are mortared on, and I am not sure but the dry laid stone MAY have a bit of mortar behind it. The blue stone wall caps are mortared also.
But the bluestone porch surface is dry laid. The porch was built up with lots of loose stone to raise the height. After that, stone dust was laid and the procedure was the same as for any other similar hardscape installation. I hate to say this, but you might look for a more experienced installer. You are absolutely right about the cost going way up if it is wet laid.
To clarify, the risers were dry laid but the bluetone treads were set in mortar. The bluestone wall caps were also mortared.
Here are some pictures:
www.landscape-design-advice.com/patio-designs.html (middle picture0
www.landscape-design-advice.com/patio-ideas.html This is the video, but you can pause it.
It would be my pleasure to design something for you at any time.
Susan
May 07, 2009 Rating
Dry Laid Bluestone Landings by: Adam
Hi Susan,
That patio you designed looks great. I should have you design something for our house when we are done with the front.
What did you do about bluestone steps/platforms leading up to the porch? I have a design that I would like to show you for our front porch.
However, on more than one occasion the landscaper has said they can't put steps/platforms in by dry laid method, not sure if it will hold. How do you do it then? If they use wet lay, the cost goes up double and the wet laid with the dry laid stone on the walkway won't look right. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!
May 07, 2009 Rating
Blue Stone Walkways by: Susan
Hi Adam,
I'll be honest with you. I really don't know that much about slate. What I recall is that it is often thinner than bluestone and it can break
more easily. I typically use bluestone, which comes in different thicknesses. One inch should be fine.
With the weather changes that you have and the freeze thaw conditions, I would suggest doing a dry laid application. Then you will have no
concrete cracking issues down the line. The bluestone itself should not crack if it is laid properly. Space the pieces as close as 1/4 inch, or you can go wider. Fill the joints with either a loose stone or a polymeric sand which hardens.
Here is a picture of a dry laid bluestone patio I designed. Full range, with various colors, was used but you can also use all blue.
