The words get used interchangeably, which makes comparing estimates harder than it should be. Here’s the short version.
Flagstone is the family.
Flagstone is any sedimentary stone that splits naturally into flat slabs: sandstones, quartzites, slates and limestones from all over the country. Color, hardness and how well it handles freeze and thaw vary a great deal from one to the next.
Bluestone is one member.
Bluestone is a dense, fine-grained sandstone quarried in Pennsylvania and New York, close to the D.C. area. It comes in Blue Select (even blue-gray) and full range (blue, lilac, rust and green). It can be left with its natural cleft face or thermal-finished flat.
Irregular or pattern-cut?
- Irregular — natural-edged pieces fitted together like a puzzle. Relaxed, natural, more hand cutting.
- Pattern-cut — rectangles and squares in a repeating layout. Clean, architectural, the look of a formal terrace.
Which is right for you?
- The house. Formal brick and limestone houses usually ask for Blue Select, pattern-cut, thermal. Stone and shingle houses often suit full range or irregular.
- The use. Treads, caps and copings want thermal bluestone; a garden path can be irregular.
- The base. Whatever the stone, it lasts as long as what’s under it — see wet-set vs dry-laid.
Read thermal bluestone, explained, or our natural stone guide. Edgar brings real samples to every site walk — request yours.
