Ideas for Covering Cement Walkways

Stone

• Fieldstone, flagstone, bluestone and slate are a few of the many types of stones you can set in mortar over cement. Stone walkways are weather-resistant and add a rustic element to natural surroundings. They're available cut into uniform rectangles to lay in designed patterns, or as snapped pieces to fit together for an organic look. Consider using stones to give contrast to a nearby pond, fountain or fire pit.

Bricks

• Laid in traditional patterns such as basket weave or half herringbone, brick walkways offer classic style. The earthy red color and uniform pieces bring out textures of foliage, grass and plants. Note that the standard size is 2-by-4-by-8 inches, so using bricks will increase the height of the walkway by about 2 1/2 inches including mortar. Installing timber edging, gravel or a bed of plants along the sides will prevent people from tripping over the raised edges.

Tiles

• Outdoor tiles are cut from stone or poured from ceramic or cement. They come in different sizes and shapes, but only need to be 1/2 inch thick to go over a cement base. Choosing tiles gives you a wide range of design choices because they come in many colors and designs. For instance, an ornate geometric pattern adds visual interest, while bright yellow and turquoise tiles complement an exotic pool area. Cutting tiles to fit over a curved cement surface is simple to do with a tile cutter.

Interlocking Pavers

• Interlocking pavers are individual pieces cut to lock into the shape of adjacent pavers. They are available in kits, so you won't need to cut them yourself. The key to successfully installing interlocking pavers is to first level the surface if it is uneven. You can do so by pouring a self-leveling overlay across the cement and waiting for it to set. Pavers range from about 2 to 4 inches thick. Choose thin pavers to avoid increasing the height of the walkway too dramatically.