Sidewalk Block Alternatives

Paving Stones

• Paving stones with irregular shapes and a variety of colors give a casual look to a walkway. Large, flat paving stones are available from garden centers and home improvement stores. These stones are best used for walkways through a garden where the size of the sidewalk is small and where you desire a decorative, curving path. Note that unless tightly laid together, paving stones can lift, crack or move without regular maintenance of the sand between them.

Gravel

• Gravel paths need barriers on either side to hold the gravel in place. The gravel provides good drainage of rainwater so large puddles are not left behind. If you choose a gravel path, check it periodically and top off the path with more gravel to keep it at the desired depth.

Poured Concrete

• Poured concrete sidewalks are the most preferred sidewalk for homeowners because installation is simple and they last for years, especially if you do not live in an area where the ground freezes. Poured concrete sidewalks have a continuous appearance, but if you have a long sidewalk, you might want to pour it in sections, separated by expansion joints. This keeps the sidewalk from cracking due to ground movement or settling.

Bricks

• A well-laid sidewalk made of bricks is long-lasting. These require a stable, concrete base before adding the bricks on top for a walkway that remains flat. Use different colors of brick and mortar to add a decorative element to your sidewalk. The pattern you lay the bricks in also makes the sidewalk more interesting than a flat concrete walkway. Brick sidewalks require more work to install, but if you are adept at masonry, you can do it yourself.