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Walkways & Paths
An attractive walkway to your front door
or garden path through your yard can add
distinction and value to your property. Visitors
often form their first impression of your
house from the condition of your walks. If
they are cracked and damaged, even a beautiful
interior may fail to reverse a bad first
image. Well laid out paths invite visitors
to explore your garden and lead them on the
journey you have chosen for their enjoyment.
Your walkway’s location and intended
use,
and the style of your house and
garden can
help you decide which design
and construction
materials are most appropriate;
here are
some sugestions to help you choose:
- Generally, the closer to the house, the more
formal the walkway should be. Walks to the
front door should be smooth enough to shovel
off any snow (in northern climates) and to
accommodate deliveries. Informal paths, including
stepping stones, are good choices for more
remote areas. Look at the architectural style
of your house and its exterior siding and
choose walkway materials that complement
it in texture and color.
- Solid walks constructed from concrete or
asphalt will last for many years and stand
up to all kinds of weather. They usually
need to be installed by a professional, as
they require pouring special mixes of cement
or hot tar into preset form boards. Asphalt
walks are best for areas where there is high
vehicle or foot traffic but they lack the
texture needed to successfully complement
most single family homes.
- For an authentic antique look, nothing beats
the beautiful earthy colored
tones of real
brick, which can be laid in
a variety of
interesting patterns. Less
expensive brick
like pavers are also available
in a wide
range of colors. Their uniformity
makes them
especially easy to install.
- Stone is another very popular choice for
walkways. Fieldstone‘s irregular size and
shape makes it a little less formal looking
than blue stone, which can be cut with a
circular saw into uniform rectangles and
squares. Both of these can be set in mortar
or laid on a base of crushed stones and sand.
These stones will last longer if they have
good drainage. They can be simply placed
on the ground as stepping stones, but over
time they will deteriorate.
- Many people like the look of concrete blocks
which have been colored and tumbled to smooth
their edges so that they resemble cobble
stones. These sturdy blocks can be mixed
and matched to create patterns rich in texture.
Since they are strong enough for driveways,
they are especially suitable where large
areas need to be harmoniously paved.
- Paths made from loose materials such as wood
chips, pine needles and gravel
are easy and
inexpensive to make, but they
are difficult
to shovel and will need to be
replenished
on a regular basis. They are
best for back
or side yard spaces.
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