Bluestone is the classic New England patio stone. It looks right next to brick, Victorians and historic rowhouses, and it lasts for decades when it's built on a proper base. We install bluestone patios, walkways and courtyards across Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Medford and the towns around them.
Short answer on price: natural bluestone runs about $50 per square foot installed with us — roughly $7,200 for a 12×12 patio (144 sq ft). Concrete pavers run about $38, so bluestone is roughly a third more.
Why homeowners pick bluestone
- A timeless, natural look that suits brick, Victorian and historic homes
- Natural stone — every piece is a little different, and it's essentially permanent
- Feels premium underfoot
- Individual pieces can be lifted and reset if something ever settles
What to know before you choose it
- It costs more than concrete pavers, in material and often in install.
- Smooth bluestone can be slick when wet. A thermal (textured) finish fixes that, and it's what we recommend for most patios.
- Fewer color options. It is what it is naturally.
Not sure between the two? Here's the honest side-by-side: bluestone vs. concrete pavers. We install both, and often mix them — a bluestone patio with a paver border, for instance.
What a bluestone patio costs
About $50 per square foot installed. A 12×12 patio (144 sq ft) is about $7,200, and a 100 sq ft bluestone front walk runs around $5,000. City jobs where everything is carried in by hand can run higher. For a number on your own yard, use the instant estimate or see what a patio costs in Boston.
The base is what makes it last
Whichever stone you pick, the patio only lasts if what's underneath is right: proper excavation, a deep compacted stone base, drainage that carries water away, and edge restraint. Get that right and bluestone lasts for decades through our freeze-thaw winters. Get it wrong and no material survives. More on that in best patio materials for Boston winters.
Where we build bluestone patios
We build bluestone patios across Greater Boston: Cambridge, Charlestown, Medford, Somerville, Brookline, Belmont, Winchester, Arlington, and Boston's neighborhoods — Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End and the North End. Small yards and tight access are our specialty.
Common questions
How much does a bluestone patio cost in Boston?
Natural bluestone runs about $50 per square foot installed with us, roughly $7,200 for a 12×12 patio (144 sq ft). Concrete pavers run about $38 per square foot, so bluestone is roughly a third more. Tight access, where materials are carried in by hand, can raise the price.
Is bluestone slippery when wet?
Smooth bluestone can be a little slick when wet. A thermal (textured) finish fixes that, and it is what we recommend for most patios and walkways.
Does bluestone hold up to New England winters?
Yes. Bluestone is natural stone and holds up to freeze-thaw winters when it is built on a proper, deep, compacted base with drainage that carries water away. The base decides how long a patio lasts far more than the material does.
Should I choose bluestone or concrete pavers?
Bluestone suits brick, Victorian and historic homes and has a classic natural look, at a premium price. Concrete pavers offer more colors and patterns and cost less. We install both and often mix them, such as a bluestone patio with a paver border.
Thinking about a bluestone patio?
We'll bring real samples to your yard so you can see the color and texture in your own light, then give you a straight written price.
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