Views on Different Types of Stone & Brick Walkways

Design Considerations

• Both stone and brick are strong materials that establish a certain theme for the site design and should be chosen for compatibility with the architecture of the house; hard landscaping is a dominant visual element. Reducing the scale of the walkway and mixing materials can create a more subtle effect. Stones have an advantage over brick in that they can be placed individually as stepping stones, controlling the impact even more. The function and type of walkway is another important consideration for choosing the material.

Solid-Carpet Walkways

• A consistent, smooth surface that's stable underfoot describes solid-carpet walkways. Most primary walkways are solid-carpet types. Primary walkways are usually generous in scale and the ones most frequently travelled. The walkway to the front door is typically designed as a primary walkway. Interlocking brick is limited to solid-carpet applications, but a wide range of styles and patterns can be installed. Stones can be laid as solid-carpet and other types of walkways as well.

Loose-Fill and Stepping Stone Walkways

• Loose fill walkways use materials such as screened gravel, mulch and wood chips for a soft surface. This type of walkway surface is best for a tertiary path that's not used very much; the materials tend to stick to shoes. Stepping stones installed in loose fill provide a more convenient surface as well as aesthetics. A secondary walkway can be constructed this way, which is a walkway used for the backyard or utility paths and is usually narrower than primary paths but used more often than tertiary.

Stone Walkways

• A more flexible design choice than brick is stone. Flagstones can be meticulously fitted and laid for a solid-carpet walkway or chosen for irregular shapes and placed in a casual but deliberate way for stepping stones. Fieldstone is the native stone found in the region and not necessarily cut or shaped. Using fieldstone is particularly effective for integrating a natural landscape with its environment; it's inherently appropriate for the setting. Fieldstone is best for stepping stone walkways.