--- title: Flagstone Thickness Guide | Mid Valley Rock url: https://midvalleyrock.com/rock-talk/flagstone-thickness-guide/ business: Mid Valley Rock phone: (916) 363-4239 address: 5300 Excelsior Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 hours: Mon-Fri 7:00-4:00, Sat 7:30-3:00, Sun closed --- - [Home](https://midvalleyrock.com/) - [Rock Talk](https://midvalleyrock.com/rock-talk/) - Flagstone thickness guide # Flagstone Thickness Guide Thinner flagstone, around 1 1/4 inch, should be hard set with mortar over concrete. Flagstone 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick is strong enough to soft set on sand and decomposed granite, which makes it the usual pick for small patios and walkways. Flagstone at the Mid Valley Rock yard When you buy flagstone, one size does not fit all. The thickness of the stone decides how it should be installed, and the installation decides where it will hold up. Thin stone needs the support of a concrete slab. Thicker stone can rest on a compacted, permeable base. This guide walks through the three cuts our customers ask about most: 1 1/4 inch Select, 1 1/2 to 2 inch stone, and thin veneer. It also covers how traffic and use change the choice. ## 1 1/4 inch Select: for large, mortared patios 1 1/4 inch Select is flagstone cut in large pieces to a thickness of close to one and one quarter inch. It should be hard set with mortar over concrete. It is a good choice for large patios where you want broad pieces and a clean, permanent surface. The concrete slab carries the load, so the stone does not need to be thick. Without that slab, thin stone can crack or rock under foot traffic. Large Select pieces cover ground quickly and leave fewer joints, which gives a calm, open look on a big patio. Because each piece is broad and thin, handle it with care and carry it on edge to avoid snapping it before it is set. If you trim pieces, cut wet and wear eye protection and a respirator rated for silica dust. ## 1 1/2 to 2 inch: strong enough to soft set Stone cut between 1 1/2 and 2 inches thick does not need to be hard set. If you want to soft set on sand and decomposed granite, this is the thickness to use. It comes in both small and large pieces and is good for small patios and walkways. The extra thickness lets the stone bridge small variations in the base without cracking. It still needs a well-compacted base underneath. See [soft-set vs hard-set](https://midvalleyrock.com/rock-talk/soft-set-vs-hard-set/) for the difference in installation. Smaller pieces in this thickness are easy to handle and fit well on curving garden paths. Larger pieces in this range are heavy, so plan on two people or a dolly to move them around the site. Stock photo: flagstone with mortared joints ## Veneer: thin stone for vertical surfaces Veneer is thin cut stone, available in small and large pieces. In the trade it is often called "1 1/4 minus," which means no thicker than one and one quarter inch. Veneer should be hard set with mortar over concrete. It is used to face walls, planters, steps and outdoor kitchens. See our [stone veneer ideas](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/stone-veneer/). ## How to choose Start with where the stone goes and how it will be used, then pick the thickness that matches the base. If you are unsure what is under an old patio, dig a small test hole at the edge before you shop. Knowing whether you have concrete, gravel or bare soil answers most thickness questions on the spot. - Existing or planned concrete slab: 1 1/4 inch Select or veneer, mortared. - No slab, permeable path or patio: 1 1/2 to 2 inch stone on a compacted base with sand and decomposed granite. - Heavy use or large gatherings: talk with us about thickness and joint spacing before you buy. - Walls and vertical faces: veneer, mortared over concrete or block. ## Bring us the details Thickness availability varies by stone and by quarry. Tell our staff what you are building and what is underneath it, and we will point you to stones that come in the right cut. Call to check what is in the yard today, or browse our [flagstone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/flagstone/). ### Keep reading - [Soft set vs hard set](https://midvalleyrock.com/rock-talk/soft-set-vs-hard-set/) - [Flagstone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/flagstone/) - [Flagstone patios](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/flagstone-patio/) - [Stone veneer](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/stone-veneer/) ### Visit or call - **Monday - Friday:** 7:00 am - 4:00 pm - **Saturday:** 7:30 am - 3:00 pm - **Sunday:** Closed 5300 Excelsior Road Sacramento, CA 95827 Arrive 45 minutes before closing so we have time to help. [(916) 363-4239](tel:+19163634239) ## Questions we hear a lot Still unsure? Call the yard at [(916) 363-4239](tel:+19163634239). We are happy to talk it through. ### Can I soft set 1 1/4 inch flagstone? We recommend hard setting 1 1/4 inch Select with mortar over concrete. For a soft-set patio or walkway, use stone 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. ### What does "1 1/4 minus" mean? It is the trade term for veneer. It means the stone is no thicker than one and one quarter inch, and it should be mortared over concrete. ### Does every flagstone come in every thickness? No. Cuts vary by stone and quarry, and stock changes. Call (916) 363-4239 to check what is in the yard today. ## Come see the stone in person Walk the yard with us, bring your measurements and a photo of your house, and we will help you pick stone that fits the project and the budget. 5300 Excelsior Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Mid+Valley+Rock&query_place_id=ChIJhQvD0VfCmoARcSXoEbY0WSc) - **Monday - Friday:** 7:00 am - 4:00 pm - **Saturday:** 7:30 am - 3:00 pm - **Sunday:** Closed