Everything You Want To Know About Flagstone

Everything-You-Want-To-Know-About-Flagstone3Everything you want to know about Flagstone is right here!  Who doesn’t crave a beautiful compound? Over the years, people have resorted to natural stone for their designs.  Flagstone has grown to be a very efficient go-to when making walkways, garden edges, and patio designs, among others.  Below are some of the most popular questions people ask us at Gappsi when choosing their stone.

Is Flagstone A Good Choice For A Patio?

Is Flagstone A Good Patio Choice? Landscaping with flagstone is one of the best materials for patios primarily due to its narrow packed joints that allow water to permeate instead of running off. Flagstone patios also have a very natural, organic look due to their shape and earthy shades of browns, reds, grays, and blues.

What Colors Look Good With Flagstone?

Flagstone can look, gray, blue, or green, making it a terrific partner for all types of stone and marble. Try pairing it with a cool white to light gray to make its subtle color feel more pronounced. You can compliment and highlight Flagstone’s color with other soft green tones.

Is Flagstone Better Than Pavers?

The Difference between Flagstone vs Pavers – Both flagstone and pavers are popular choices for hardscape design, each with specific benefits. Flagstone is a natural stone frequently used for walkways by people who want a natural or rustic hardscape look. Pavers are a manufactured alternative that works well if you prefer a uniform design.

Everything-You-Want-To-Know-About-Flagstone4Does Fagstone Get Slippery When Wet?

Addressing the challenges of using traditional Flagstone for water areas – Especially, but not limited to, where flagstone is used for pool patio surfacing and poolside surrounds, flagstone can become dangerously slippery when wet, depending on the variation used. This can be a cause for concern where young swimmers are involved and can pose difficulties navigating your walkways after a rain.

Is Flagstone Hot To Walk On?

Deck surfaces consisting of flagstone, bluestone, or other natural stone materials also get hot on hot days, and their surface temperatures in full sun are comparable to those of concrete pavers. At an air temperature of 90 degrees, a flagstone paver will have a surface temperature of about 112 degrees.

What Is The Best Material To Put Under The Flagstone?

It’s best to start with several inches of compacted gravel, followed by a layer of stone dust, also called decomposed granite, or DG. The DG is pulverized stone and contains small pieces along with gravel-size and sand-size particles. The variation in particle sizes allows the material to compact well.

Everything-You-Want-To-Know-About-Flagstone1How Thick Should Flagstone Be For Patio?

Whatever type you choose for your flagstone patio pavers must be at least 2 inches thick to avoid cracking or breaking. A ton of stone covers about 120 square feet; order 5 percent more for breakage. Large stones cover a surface more quickly than smaller pieces but may prove more challenging to move, cut, and design.

How Much Value Does A Flagstone Patio Add?

Does a paver patio add value to a home? The answer is Yes!  When homeowners invest in a paver patio, they can expect extreme durability, minimal maintenance, and you guessed it added value to their home. A patio addition to a home (when done properly) can deliver a return on investment of anywhere between 30% to 60%.

How Long Should A Flagstone Patio Last?

How long will a flagstone patio last? Both materials, flagstone, and pavers, are remarkably durable, lasting up to 10 years under normal conditions. However, for flagstones to last this long, their depth must be suitable for the location where you’re installing them.

Why Do They Call It Flagstone?

Flagstone vs Slate: What’s the Difference?  Flagstone is a broad term used to describe a range of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. These rocks are called flagstones because they can be easily split into flat segments that are used to pave patio walkways and build rock walls, in addition to other home applications.

How Do You Keep Weeds From Growing Between Flagstone?

Ensure that your paving stones are properly installed to deter weeds. You need a tightly packed sand bed foundation. Once your pavers are in place, fill the spaces between the stones with polymeric sand, which forms an effective barrier to weeds.

Is A Flagstone Patio Cheaper Than A Deck And Which Is Better?

A paving stone patio is a more affordable option if you’re thinking about your costs now, as well as maintenance costs in the future. Installing a patio can be easier, given that you often will not need to get building permits, and might be able to do it yourself without specialty tools.

Everything-You-Want-To-Know-About-Flagstone2Will Flagstone Crack Under Heat?

No, flagstone will not crack under heat. Flagstone is extremely durable and can last centuries, standing up to all forms of extreme climate.

Flagstone Backyard Design In St. James NY

Gappsi’s latest backyard design was in Saint James New York.  Our team did a complete design and installation of a new backyard in Saint James NY.  We installed a random flagstone patio and a base for a Gappsi 50 inches Sorrento style Wood Fired Pizza Oven. The walls were veneered with a natural quartz stone with a rustic look to blend in with the Gappsi ovens’ natural stone finish.

In addition, we installed a 20 x 40 gunite pool with a sunk-down kitchen area including a grill, sink, and refrigerators.  Included with the design are stools for family and friends to sit across the swimming pool.  The pool is equipped with a spa also.  The in-pool spa includes jet-led lights, which we installed on the pool floor.  Jet bubblers were added to the bottom of the pool floor illuminating the pool. Gappsi’s team also installed a set of stairs with a sundeck and bubblers on the sundeck floor.

The pool is equipped with an auto cover that gets rolled into the box under the coping of the pool. The pool coping is G045 Gappsi Limestone. It’s a rock-faced finish and tumbled stone. The entire backyard was also completed with synthetic turf. We installed porcelain tiles for the water line.  The spillover on the spa and steps edges and inside of the pool was plastered with Gulf Stream Hydrazo Quartz polished. The stools were faced with hexagon-shaped tiles and a marble top. Very beautiful layout, and a very functional pool. This is the latest Gappsi Design and installation built in Saint James, Suffolk County, on Long Island NY. The customers are very happy and we wish them to enjoy this backyard for many many more decades to come. 

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Swimming Pool Water Feature Ideas

What Swimming Pool Water Features Can I Add to My Pool?

Swimming-Pool-Water-Feature-Ideas3Swimming Pool Water Feature Ideas to inspire you with your backyard design.  When water is in motion it engages our senses, it is beautiful to look at and very relaxing to hear. A swimming pool with a custom water feature or waterfall is a water-on-water experience that serves as a focal point and draws you into its environment. Similar to other elements on your property, you want to choose a water feature that compliments the architectural style of your home as well as your pool. Your swimming pool water feature should also fit within your budget and personal taste. Gappsi offers a variety of pool water features to choose from including fountains, scuppers, sheer decent, rain curtains, laminar jets, bubblers, mist, deck jets, boulder waterfalls, infinity edges or negative edges, and dramatic fire-on water features.

With so many types of water features to choose from, the effects they can create are seemingly infinite when factoring in size, flow rate, acoustics, and lighting. Simply put, today’s pool builders create customized features that move water in astonishing ways.

Swimming Pool Water Feature Ideas

1. Fountains – Ornamental fountains make attractive additions to any swimming pool. In particular, these water features are visually intriguing when grouped together in a pair or trio.

In particular, bubbler fountains are a favorite on new projects. Growing demand for pool tanning ledges is driving the rise of the bubblers.  That’s because a lively bubbler is a perfect way to accent a tanning ledge or the pool’s first entry step. Their fluid motion provides a cue to alert pool users to the shallow structure below.  For the same reason, bubblers are a favorite to mark a beach entry on a pool. A bubbler fountain can also go in the center of a spa.

To make the most of bubblers or spray fountains, you want the ability to view them at night too. With this benefit in mind, ask us about adding color-changing LED lighting to each one.

Additional factors that are equally important in choosing the right water feature for your swimming pool:

2. Rock Waterfalls – More pool owners are requesting rock waterfalls and rock features to make their pool feel like a home resort. Freeform pools commonly use rock waterfalls.  They are ideal for natural-style pools that may resemble a tropical lagoon or mountain spring. The freeform pools use the large rocks surrounding the pool as a small deck. Large boulder clusters or rock planters help the waterfall blend into the pool area.

Some rock styles and colors are universally popular, but each region of the country has a preferred color pattern and rock type based on the appearance of the local stone. Many pool owners prefer natural stone, but the faux rock is a great option as well because it allows for customized formations.

The size of the waterfall should be relatively proportional to the size of the pool, but multiple waterfalls on an average-sized pool will look great with the right landscaping. Using several waterfalls for a dramatic effect typically works better than one massive waterfall.

So Many Features To Choose From The Possibilities Are Endless

3.  Sound – Most homeowners opt for an added water pool feature for their homes not only because of the visual aesthetics but also because of the sound it produces. It is equally significant to establish the mood that your water feature will create. A well-designed pool water feature must not only be visually appealing but equally enticing to other senses. Ambient noises like the sound of flowing water are said to produce a relaxing vibe and a calm atmosphere. While if you are opting for a quiet environment, then go for water features that do not produce sound.

4.  Flow Of The Water – Dynamics is also a significant part of swimming pool water feature design. The flow of water, including its direction and how it enters the pool, can cause corresponding effects on the overall look of the water feature. Fluidity in motion is one of the factors which make swimming pool water features visually satisfying. While some may opt to go with dynamic water features, others may choose to go with the stillness of the water. Some water features produce a stunning mirror-like surface that emanates tranquility.

5.  Lighting – Mood and accent lighting can be added to the water feature to enhance its ambiance and appearance. Warm lights or colored lights add visual interest and also make your water feature stand out, especially at night. Natural lighting is also another important factor as the way the water feature reflects and refracts sunlight causes an effect on the color.

CHECK OUT OUR SWIMMING POOL GALLERY FOR SOME INSPIRATION

6.  Budget – The budget plays an important part in choosing the right water feature for your swimming pool. Some may consider it to be the biggest constraint because it dictates the features which you can include in your water feature.

7. Effects – Water features often include features that can be adjusted to different settings, providing different effects. The light settings are activated depending on the current mood of the user or the personal preference of the homeowner.

Swimming-Pool-Water-Feature-IdeasSpillover Bowls And Pools On Long Island NY

Gappsi designed and installed a small vinyl pool that was built with concrete walls and a liner in this backyard in Seaford NY. Our team at Gappsi incorporated stairs and a sundeck into the pool to add additional features. The sundeck has 12 inches of water and it’s used to keep the lunch chairs with a table that will hold an umbrella. A water feature with led spillover bowls and a 4 feet sheer descent. The water bowls are coordinated with the pool lights which also change colors. We paved the entire backyard and pool coping with G043 marble pavers. We also landscaped up the fence between the pool and fence with evergreens and other flowering plants.

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VIEW OUR VIDEO OF THE SPILLOVER BOWLS AND POOLS ON LONG ISLAND NY

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Pool & Masonry Contractor | Huntington Bay NY 11743

Pool & Masonry Contractor | Huntington Bay NY 11743Pool & Masonry Contractor serving Huntington Bay NY, 11743 This project was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and installed by Gappsi at a fully custom built luxury home in the secluded area of Huntington Bay on Long Island. Simple, clean lines, and elegant design incorporates a 20×40 gunite swimming pool with many features. It includes a built-in spa, finished with waterline porcelain tiles and a blue diamond brite quartz finish made to last a long time. The spa, swimming pool, and all the other options are fully automated by a control accessible through a smartphone. The swimming pool is also equipped with a safety auto cover, that can open and close in one minute. The swimming pool equipment includes a gas heater, multiple VS pumps, an air blower for the spa, a salt-chlorine generator system, and an ozone system. The pool also includes 2 water spill over fire bowls with LED lighting, a full sized diving board, and a sundeck LED bubbler water jet. 
This backyard setting includes a gas fire pit area with a masonry patio fire pit structure, and 36 inches columns built to hold the fire bowls next to the pool. There is also an outdoor kitchen built with Wolf outdoor cabinets and a Twin Eagles grill. All patios and walls were paved and veneered with Fiorito travertine, and the pool coping and stepping stone walkways are custom cut flamed Pennsylvania blue stone. A custom-built pavilion was incorporated in the layout to match the house’s architectural design, colors, and materials. This structure was built to cover the couch sitting area and protect it from the rain and sun. The landscaping entails many types of trees and flowers, natural rock walls, precast step risers built to lead to the lower backyard area, and all new sod with an irrigation system for the entire backyard.
Gappsi is a pool & masonry contractor that provides full services from design concepts to management and construction. Gappsi provides backyard and pool designer services in Huntington Bay NY 11743. Feel free to visit our website also at Gappsi.com.

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