Patio Pavers for a Walkway

Types

• Patio pavers are available in stone, brick and concrete. Stone pavers lend a traditional touch and are suitable for cottage and contemporary homes. Brick pavers add a formal feel and their warm tone brings a classic, old world charm. In "Patios and Walkways," Peter Jeswald states that "the color is integral throughout the material and will not fade over time." Concrete pavers are available in many colors and patterns to complement the architectural look of your home. They are less expensive than brick, not slippery wet and resistant to freeze-thaw damage.

Function

• Well-laid walkways of pavers provide a level, non-slippery surface that is safe for foot traffic, wheelchairs and wheelbarrows. They hold up under heavy traffic without cracking, and lend a design element that can contrast or blend. Create contrast by selecting a color such as red brick against your home’s gray exterior. Or select a brick paver to repeat the brick trim around your patio. Choose a paver that matches your siding, if you want it to fade into the background.

Size and Shape

• Traditional patio pavers are milled to 4- by 8-inches, but a multitude of sizes is available. They are rectangular, square, circular, wavy-patterned and come in random shapes. A sidewalk of random shapes is difficult to install, but can have wonderful results if it is well-thought out and properly executed.

  A walkway of random-shaped pavers laid in crushed gravel, river rock or mulch creates a natural look at a considerable savings. This mixed-medium walkway is a poor choice for a front walkway as it has an uneven surface and according to Peter Jeswald, “these loose materials can get stuck in shoe soles…and may need to be replenished over time."

Considerations

• Lay your walkway in a running bond pattern oriented in the direction of travel to sweep you to your destination. This pattern creates length and depth in a small space. Offset your pavers to create visual interest or create a basket-weave pattern for a more traditional look. Consider edging your walkway with stones running perpendicular to it for visual interest. Install pavers in a circular fashion at bends in the walkway to cause the eye and feet to pause.

Installation

• Choose your style and size of pavers, determine your walkway's dimension based on multiple units of each paver’s size and lay out the design on paper first. Excavate 7- to 8-inches of top soil and lay a bed of sand 1 to 2 inches deep. Level the surface of the sand with a level used as a smoother and as an accuracy check. Place pavers and fill sand in between to hold their position. For a natural look, plant low growing mosses between stones.