How to Build a Wood Sidewalk

Preparation

• 1

  Draw a map of the area as a guide for sidewalk installation. Remove large sticks or rocks that will be in the way of construction.

• 2

  Dig a trench 5 inches deep and about 34 inches wide. This trench will hold the sidewalk. Keep the trench as straight as possible to make building the sidewalk easier.

• 3

  Line the trench with landscape plastic. Place a 1-inch layer of compatible gravel over the landscape fabric. Using a hand tamp, lightly pack the gravel into place.

• 4

Frame

• 5

  Cut three 2-by-4-inch boards, each measuring 42 inches long. These will be the stringers. Cut two 2-by-4-inch boards measuring 29 inches long. These will be the ends.

• 6

  Lay the five boards out on a working surface. Arrange the two end boards on their sides, parallel to each other and 42 inches apart. Place one of the stringers between the two end boards and perpendicular to them. Line it up with the ends of the end boards. Arrange a second stringer in the same manner on the other end of the end boards. Place a third stringer parallel to and between the two side stringers.

• 7

  Screw all of the boards in place, using two wood screws at each meeting place. You should now have a rectangular frame.

• 8

  Repeat steps 1-3 until you have made the number of frames you need.

Finishing

• 9

  Place the wooden sidewalk frames on top of the compatible gravel inside the trench. Adjust the frames until they are level. Push the end pieces of the frames tightly together to form one continuous frame.

• 10

  Cut 5/6-by-6-inch decking boards into 32-inch-long pieces with a circular saw. These boards will be the sidewalk surface pieces.

• 11

  Install the decking boards, beginning on one end of the string of frames. Place a board on top of the frame, flat side down and perpendicular to the stringer boards. Attach the decking board to each stringer with wood screws.

• 12

  Install another decking board 1/4 inch from the first one, keeping the boards in line with each other.

• 13

  Repeat step 4 until the sidewalk is complete. The final decking board may need to be cut to fit.