How to Make a Sidewalk Into a Stone Walkway

Call your local buildings department if the sidewalk you want to change is used by the public. Local laws may not allow you to change a sidewalk into a stone walkway. If modifying the sidewalk is permissible, the required width for the walkway will vary depending on your location; it must be wide enough to accommodate anticipated traffic and disabled use. The walkway may also need to pass a building inspection to ensure the stones and grout are level and do not pose any trip hazards.

Clean the surface of the sidewalk of any dirt and grime with a stiff broom. Rinse off the sidewalk with a hose and wait for it to dry completely.

Place wood edging along the outside border of the walkway using two-by-fours or one-by-fours. Drive 9-inch nail spikes through the wood, then secure them into the soil beside the concrete. You can remove the border once the stone walkway is set, or choose to leave it for aesthetic purposes. Installing wood edging prevents the stones from shifting as they settle.

Mix a batch of sand mortar in a wheel barrow using four parts sand, one part cement mix and enough water to absorb the mix without making the consistency too watery.

Use a brush or broom to dampen a small area in the corner of the walkway where you plan to lay your first stones. With a trowel, spread a 1-inch-thick layer of sand mortar over the moistened area.

Set the first stones in the sand mortar and tap them into place with the handle of the trowel. Once in place, half of the stone should be embedded into the mortar. Ensure that the stones are level.

Continue to set the stones according to your pattern over the same amount of sand mortar. Maintain consistent spacing between the stones using plastic spacers if necessary. As you complete each 2- to 3-square-foot section, use the end of the trowel to remove any excess mortar that squeezes up from between the stones. Immediately remove any splatters of mortar with a clean, moist rag. Wait 24 hours for the mortar to dry.

Mix a batch of grout with one part fine sand, one part concrete and enough water to create a stiff consistency.

Fill the spaces between the stones with grout, packing it as tightly as possible until each joint is filled. Wipe off any excess grout right away, and wait one week for the grout and mortar to cure. While it's drying, water the walkway twice a day to increase the longevity of the grout.