Options For Walkways

There are several things that can influence the design of a walkway, including the shape of the pavers, what they're made of, their color and the material you use for the base. Before you begin planning a new walkway, it's a good idea to look into the different options you have available. Whether you're going to be laying out your walkway yourself or hiring a contractor, you want to choose the right materials for your project.

Paver Types

Concrete

These days, quite a few walkways are made using concrete. These convenient pavers can be purchased in a wide array of colors, making it easy to blend your new walkway into your landscape. They are also available in many different shapes, such as patio slabs, bricks or even cobbles. Another advantage of concrete pavers is that they are less expensive than many other materials you might use.

Brick

Unlike brick-shaped concrete, real bricks for pavers are made of clay or a similar material that has been baked in a kiln. Brick is probably the most widely used material when it comes to walkway pavers. One advantage of brick pavers is that they require very little maintenance. For instance, you seldom have to add a sealant to protect brick, which is usually a yearly job with most other pavers. You can get brick pavers in many different colors, and homeowners often choose to use two different colors in their walkway. This lets them create complex designs and patterns.

Stone

Stone is also quite popular as a paver material. These stones can be large flagstones or small pieces of cobblestone. You can create interesting effects by laying out a flagstone walkway with an irregular design. This lets you accent the walkway with plants and flowers on the edges. Doing this creates a much more natural and "wild" look in your landscape.

Base Types

Sand

When it comes to providing a base for pavers, most people choose sand. Pavers are usually laid out with a small space in between them, which allows you to pour sand into the gap. Water is then applied to the sand to dampen and compact it. The sand forms a tough crust which helps to hold the pavers in place. Over the years, sand can erode away, and will need to be replaced. It will also have to be replaced if you choose to put new pavers in.

Stone Dust

As an alternative to sand as the base, you might want to consider stone dust. While stone dust doesn't last as long as sand and isn't quite as durable, it is less expensive and more eco-friendly. Most paving stores also sell stone dust. Contact a company like Roman Building Materials Ltd to find the materials you need.