Flagstone Coatings for Patios

Flagstone patio coatings

Flagstone has been used for thousands of years to provide durable and attractive surfaces for utility and for personal spaces.  For the last hundred years or more, flagstone has provided a natural and durable surface for patios. They are produced in many different products including mosaic (random patterns), bluestone, ledge-stone, pavers and many others. They are also available in many different textures and hardness. They are basically sedimentary kinds of rocks and this makes them very easy to use. The flagstones are durable and can easily stand the stress of being outside or outdoors. This is not the only place where they are used, as many people opt to use them indoors. The flagstones are easily available in Arizona in the quarries.

A patio requires paving so that it can feel like a room even though it is open and also so that it can comfortably accommodate furniture on it. A patio is mostly open but if enclosed, it is with only a roof that can be suspended using four posts. A patio with a roof is called a pergola. A patio can easily become the epitome of your outdoor décor. It is a place that you can relax well with your family and friends and enjoy the sun or the moon and stars. The paving on your patio should be able to define who you are and what your décor theme is all about. Choose it wisely. Also choose paving that can withstand the weather outside and can also withstand the weight of the furniture you are going to have.

Why use flagstones on your patio?

The decorative value alone has been the reason that it is still used today to adorn the modern homestead.

Technology has advanced to provide an alternative to the often hot and hard-to-clean surface that flagstone creates.

Flagstone coatings for patios are now popular especially in the sunbelt regions of the united states and other countries.

They occur in a variety of colors – flagstones naturally occur in a variety of colors therefore they are able to add pomp and color to your patio.

Availability – flagstones are easily available in the quarries in Arizona. You can therefore easily access them. Availability also makes them affordable to many people.

Beauty – flagstones are natural beauties. They only require you to sit and bring out the artistic part of you by arranging them in many beautiful mosaic patterns.

Durability – most naturally occurring stones are durable and flagstones are also in that category. They last long.

Non-slip – flagstones are rough in nature and therefore provide a natural non slip product to use outdoors on the patios, on the pavements and also in the bathrooms and other areas that require non slip materials like the pool deck.

Easy to manipulate – the flagstones are usually made of layers and are usually soft and easy to manipulate. This makes it easy to cut flagstones into required shapes and sizes. Some companies sell flagstones ready to use so that you just lay them down and cut them to size.

The versatility of flagstones makes them a common stone all over Arizona.  However due to the nature of flagstones, they are exposed to many different problems. Some of these include:

Flaking – since they are porous, they are therefore able to absorb water. If the water absorbed there freezes, it will increase in size because it becomes ice. When this happens, the ice occupies more space and will therefore expand the pore. Expanding the pore causes particles of the stone to break making it easy to flake into layers.

Chemicals – flagstones will react with many chemicals because if their composition. This will alter the composition of the stones thereby affecting the flagstones. Mostly they will decompose further into soil.

Wear and tear – the stresses of everyday life will cause the flagstones to die a natural death. This natural death is basically because of friction. A high stress and pressure area will make the flagstones to wear out more quickly than if they were used indoors.

Staining – flagstones will easily stain if they absorb water for a long time or if they are exposed to some liquids. Staining means that the part of the stone stained is prone to breaking off, flaking or decomposing.

Flagstones therefore require coating to make them good investments to your patio. At the patio it is easy for the stones to be exposed to the problems mentioned above. Coating can be done in the industries for you or you may do it yourself at home if you purchased the flagstones that are not coated. The coatings used are called sealers. The sealers sip into the porous rock and protect the top of the stone. This makes the stone impenetrable by water and other liquids. It also prevents the rock from reacting with chemicals and makes it easy to clean dirt off the stones.

Because of the durability, inherent in the technology flagstone coatings for driveways are becoming popular for hoe decor ideas.