Flagstones are flat slabs of natural stone used for paving floors, paths, terraces and courtyards. In British historic buildings they are the traditional flooring of kitchens, sculleries, halls, dairies and farmhouses, prized for their durability and for the gentle undulation and polish they acquire after generations of use.
The stone used varied by region and reflects local geology: Yorkshire sandstone, commonly known as York stone, is the best known, while limestone flags from areas such as the Cotswolds, Purbeck and the Pennines, slate in Wales and the Lake District, and Caithness flagstone in Scotland were all widely laid. Old flags were usually split along natural bedding planes and dressed by hand, giving irregular sizes, varied thicknesses and a riven surface. Reclaimed flagstones are now keenly sought by architects, builders and homeowners restoring period properties, as new stone rarely matches their colour, wear and character. When buying, it is worth checking thickness, the condition of edges, any delamination or frost damage and whether the stone is suitable for the intended use. Laying on a breathable lime bed is generally recommended in old buildings to avoid trapping damp.
