Creating Your Ideal Outdoor Living Space in Victoria, BC

Combining functionality and aesthetics: Building flagstone patios and stone walkways with Lennox Masonry in Victoria, BC

Victoria, BC is not only home to one of the mildest climates in Canada but it is also home to picturesque landscapes littered with natural stone outcrops along the coastline and sprawling views of the Olympic Mountain Range. Those two qualities alone make Victoria an ideal environment for both stonemasons and homeowners alike. Out of all the projects we work on each year here at Lennox Masonry, building outdoor living spaces out of stone is what we are known for. If you’re like many other homeowners in Victoria, BC that are looking to extend your living area, one of the best ways to enhance your outdoor space is by incorporating flagstone, a versatile and durable material that adds functionality and natural beauty to any landscape. Let's explore how Lennox Masonry can help you create a beautiful flagstone patio or walkway that will stand the test of time in Victoria's unique environment.

Why Choose Flagstone?

Flagstone is an excellent choice for outdoor spaces in Victoria for several reasons:

1. Durability: Flagstone can withstand Victoria's varied weather conditions, from rainy winters to dry summers. And due to its coarse nature, it is a relatively non-slip surface.

2. Natural beauty: Vancouver Island has several stone quarries which produce unique, local flagstones out of indigenous rock that compliment and match the colours and textures naturally occurring in stone outcrops found throughout Victoria.

3. Versatility: Flagstone is best used for patios, walkways, and garden paths where a level surface is desired.

Designing Your Flagstone Space

When planning your outdoor living area, consider the following:

1. Layout: Designing a space that flows naturally with your existing landscape and home is easily accomplished with the addition of flagstone.

2. Pattern: Flagstones come in two main styles: random and tumbled. Random flagstones are inconsistent when it comes to their edges, shapes, and sizes. Whereas tumbled flagstones have a much greater degree of uniformity to them.

3. Colour: Locally quarried flagstones on Vancouver Island are rich with grey, blue, and brown colours with hints of quartz and iron throughout. However, most stone distributors also import flagstones from all over North America, providing you with plenty of choices when it comes to accenting or complimenting the colours present on your home and surrounding property.

Installation Process

Here's a brief overview of how Lennox Masonry typically installs a flagstone patio or walkway in Victoria:

1. Layout: First we determine what type of functionality and design is required. Based on that, we will recommend a certain thickness of flagstone to suit those needs. If it’s a patio, we typically pour concrete and use a thinner flagstone. If it’s a garden pathway, we will typically use a thicker flagstone which doesn’t require a concrete foundation.

2. Excavation: We start by digging about 6"-7" deep to create a solid foundation for the flagstone.

3. Base preparation: We then lay a sturdy compacted base of compacted gravel and sand, better known as road base.

4. Concrete: When it comes to flagstone patios for entertaining, it is crucial to use concrete as a secondary base to ensure no movement in the flagstones and for drainage purposes.

5. Stone selection: The fun part! You get to choose which style and type of flagstone you would prefer for your new outdoor living space.

6. Placement: Based on the design preferences, Lennox Masonry and our team of skilled stonemasons will either cut and chisel the stones to meet perfectly or keep them natural while maintaining a level and cohesive surface.

7. Filling gaps: Depending on the application, we will then either introduce mortar or another aggregate to fill the spaces between stones.

Enhancing Your Flagstone Space

To create a truly inviting outdoor living area:

1. Add comfortable seating and outdoor furniture to make the space functional.

2. Incorporate landscaping elements like plants and shrubs to soften the hardscape.

3. Consider adding features like a fire pit or outdoor lighting for ambiance.

4. Install a pergola or awning for shade and protection from the elements.

Maintenance Tips

To keep your flagstone patio or walkway looking beautiful for years to come:

1. Regularly sweep and rinse the surface to remove debris.

2. Let Lennox Masonry apply a high-quality sealant to protect the stone from stains and to bring out the natural colours within the flagstone itself.

Whether you're hosting summer barbecues or enjoying a quiet morning coffee, let Lennox Masonry build you a new flagstone patio or walkway to provide a beautiful and durable foundation for your new outdoor living space in Victoria, BC today!

Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC has been proudly serving both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for over a decade. We are small group of skilled masons with a great deal of passion towards our trade and for improving the communities we live and work in. We extend our gratitude to the lək̓ʷəŋən people for allowing us to share and work on this corner of the garden with them. We are thankful for the residents and businesses of Victoria, BC for supporting us in our endeavors!

If you’re in need of a professional and reliable masonry company for your next project, please contact us today! And check out our Project page for inspiration when it comes to your next masonry idea!