The Floor

Having completed the foundation in the Fall of 2023, John got started on the blue stone pavers for the floor in March of 2024. We use a lot of blue stone, it's relatively common, durable, and easy on the eyes. We also use blue stone dust for leveling of walkways and paths where we need a nice solid foundation that will last.

Below is some finished bluestone that was laid at our entry walkway to one of our houses on the farm.

John ordered up a pallet, might have been two, of the bluestone pavers in various sizes. They are made so that you can follow a repeating pattern. Before he could lay them he needed to bolt down pressure treated 2x4s around the edge of the slab to serve as a frame for the flooring. These 2x4s would also be the plate on which we would set the studs for the framing later. You can see these were done below.

Once he had the frame, he started in the corner with a single paver and ensured it was installed level to the frame. He is using a string line as a guide to make sure each paver is on the same level and line, similar to what we did with the masonry blocks when laying a course. The yellow six foot level and blue two foot level are both needed, as sometimes you need to check level across a few stones, and other times you need to do it for a single stone.

He's using a large rubber mallet to tamp down the paver, adding mortar as needed underneath until he has everything lined up perfect and no gaps below. It's important to have the right consistency of mortar - too thick and it won't settle down nicely under the paver, too thin and it won't support the paver.

And after a bunch of tamping, troweling, lifting, and shifting he's got the stone right where he wants it. Only 100 more to go!

Then he just repeats the process over and over again according to the pattern he's set out, keeping every stone on the same level and line, using the same tools to extend the flooring across the bothy. I'm always amazed that John can do so much work in what is essentially a back breaking position bending over at the waist. He's over 80 years old! He can spend hours in the garden or on the job like this....people half his age could not keep up! Chalk it up to a life spent building and being active. And a lot of grit.

Once he finished the stones and everything had had time to dry and cure, he washed them down a few times with various solutions, then sealed them up so they would look fresh and keep their color. Hopefully they will last for many years and create a beautiful warm look inside the bothy to complement the red cedar.