Sidewalks and Walking Paths
Usually one of your largest landscaping costs is the
surfacing you choose as your sidewalk. In most cases you will spend the most
from the public sidewalk to the door and then switch to a cheaper path
around the house. Being a builder with pavers and stone I of course think
that this is the most beautiful surface you can choose. However, cement is
probably the most used material there is. In the next 2 galleries take a
look at some fun things you can do with different materials.
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Cobblestone Northern |
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A sidewalk does not have to be a non entity. It can be exciting and dynamic. |
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Cobblestone Rustic blend |
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Sidewalks should flow smoothly and accentuate the grounds |
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Block stepping stones |
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These stones try to recreate traditional japanese stepping stone patterns |
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Blocks 2 |
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Stones should be laid out such that they are easy to walk on, are stable, and catch the eye |
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Slate Block |
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This was just a fun mix of different sizes of blocks and bricks. That didn't make the very narrow space look so claustophobic |
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Mix of Tan Slate Pattern |
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Although each block weighs 84 pounds it is fun to mix and match different blocks to create interesting patterns |
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Flagstone |
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Flagstone looks great in the grass but I prefer to use blocks in the grass and flagstone inbedded in a gravel path. The grass tends to overrun the edges too quickly |
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Rundle Flagstone |
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Rundle works extremely well with limestone |
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Limestone Dust |
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I like working with limestone dust because it forms a solid surface that doesn't stick to your shoes and works well with many different materials |
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Limestone/Brick |
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For sideyards that are too dark to grow anything or too expensive to pave or brick, limestone dust mixed with reused old bricks is a nice alternative |
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Large rectangles |
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A client wanted a sidewalk that was different that he could do himself and was affordable. Fantastic job. took only a few weekends |
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Steps
Again experiment with different materials, different
colours, and different textures. Not always the expensive option.
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Cobblesteps |
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Considerably more expensive than prefab steps from Home Depot but an amazing addition to the styling of a front yard |
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Cobblestone |
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When using brick to build steps ensure there is a colour difference so that people don't trip |
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Block Steps |
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For long steep slopes Pisa 2 steps and slate patterned blocks were a natural fit |
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Wood steps |
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The steps are made of preserved wood but the inside is filled with gravel and then surfaced with glacial green slate |
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Steps of gravel |
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Often on acreages in the woods, placing a cement stair is odd and expensive. Railroad tie or 6x6 cedar steps filled with gravel look great and far less expensive |
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Stairs of Wood |
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In a pinch you can not beat the versatility of wood |
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