Brick Paver Installation on Curved Walkways

Design

• The design of a curved walkway should complement the existing layout of your landscape. If you're installing a primary path such as a front entrance, the walkway should be a minimum of 4 feet wide to accommodate wheelchairs. One way to decide on the best shape is to sketch the yard on paper with existing trees and gardens. Draw several potential paths with broad and tight curves to see which you prefer.

Preparation

• Careful site preparation ensures a smooth and successful installation. Use parallel ropes to mark out the shape of the walkway. Walk through the ropes to see whether the curve is too tight in any areas. Once you're satisfied with the shape, dry-lay the bricks on the grass to choose which pattern you prefer. For a traditional look, try a half basket weave or herringbone arrangement. To accentuate the curves of the walkway, create a pattern of circles or arches.

Cutting Bricks

• There are two ways to approach cutting the end bricks to fit the curves. While the bricks are dry-laid on the walkway site, draw a straight cut line with chalk over each brick you need to cut. It's helpful to number the bottom of the bricks to make it easier to find their position on the site again. Use a masonry wet saw with a diamond-tipped blade or a cold chisel and hammer to cut the bricks. With a saw, wear safety goggles and ear protection and slide the brick slowly toward the blade along the straight cut line. If you're using a chisel, place the point on the cut line and hit the back with a hammer. Continue hitting the chisel to score all four sides of the brick until it is deep enough to snap in two. If you have many bricks to cut, a saw is faster and less labor-intensive.

Installation

• Once the bricks are cut to fit, installing the walkway is simple. While you can lay bricks directly on dirt, building a 6-inch-deep gravel and sand foundation adds stability and longevity. The gravel keeps the bricks from sinking and improves the area's drainage. Start at one end of the site and lay the bricks in your planned pattern flush against each other and adjusted until each section is level. Once the bricks are laid, secure flexible edging along the sides to lock them in place. Sweep sand over the surface and push it into the joints to cushion them and block debris.