Since natural stone is not a "manufactured" material, it is sometimes difficult to get a handle on "standards" for the industry regarding classification and grading. Here is how we handle the basic differences at Pacific Stonescape.
First of all, flagstone is a general term used to describe large, flat pieces of stone used most commonly for landscape walkways and patios and interior flooring. There are many grades of flagstone but two terms that we use at Pacific Stonescape refers to the size of the stone - Stepstone and Standup Flagstone.
STEPSTONE refers to smaller size flat stone that can be easily handled by one person. Irregular sizes are typically 1' x 1' or less up to 18" x 18". Stepstone is typically packaged "laid-down" flat on a pallet.
Standup FLAGSTONE refers to larger size flat stone that may take two or more people to handle. Irregular sizes will range from 18" x 18" up to 3' x 4' with some smaller and larger pieces almost always present in a pallet depending on stone type and quarry practices. Standup Flagstone is always palletized VERTICALLY - hence the descriptor "standup".
Thicknesses of Stepstone or Flagstone will vary widely from:
1" Minus (aka: thin set, mortar set, mason's grade) usually set in a mortar bed application
1-2" suitable for mortar set or dryset applications
2-3"+ usually used in dry set applications
Different types of stone are available in Stepstone or Standup Flagstone (or both) at Pacific Stonescape and these types will range across a broad spectrum including: andesite, argulite, bluestone, limestone, quartzite, sandstone and slate.
First of all, flagstone is a general term used to describe large, flat pieces of stone used most commonly for landscape walkways and patios and interior flooring. There are many grades of flagstone but two terms that we use at Pacific Stonescape refers to the size of the stone - Stepstone and Standup Flagstone.
STEPSTONE refers to smaller size flat stone that can be easily handled by one person. Irregular sizes are typically 1' x 1' or less up to 18" x 18". Stepstone is typically packaged "laid-down" flat on a pallet.
Standup FLAGSTONE refers to larger size flat stone that may take two or more people to handle. Irregular sizes will range from 18" x 18" up to 3' x 4' with some smaller and larger pieces almost always present in a pallet depending on stone type and quarry practices. Standup Flagstone is always palletized VERTICALLY - hence the descriptor "standup".
Thicknesses of Stepstone or Flagstone will vary widely from:
1" Minus (aka: thin set, mortar set, mason's grade) usually set in a mortar bed application
1-2" suitable for mortar set or dryset applications
2-3"+ usually used in dry set applications
Different types of stone are available in Stepstone or Standup Flagstone (or both) at Pacific Stonescape and these types will range across a broad spectrum including: andesite, argulite, bluestone, limestone, quartzite, sandstone and slate.