Walkways can make or break the overall appearance of your house. They are the first impressions that visitors would perceive about your home. If you are getting your dream house constructed or you are planning to redesign your walkway here are some tips that will help you in this project. This guide will help you get the right walkway design and structure of your brand new walkway.
Planning
Before you start digging and laying materials you should plan and budget. Determine what your walkway should look like. What design you prefer and what kind of expenses you are ready to pay. Map where the paving should be exactly. What should be the size, shape and area of the walkway? Think about practicality and usage. Match the design with the overall aesthetic and ambiance of your house.
Choosing right materials
Walkways can be built with a number of materials. Some of the readily available options are asphalt paving, concrete blocks, gravels and bricks. You can choose one of these depending on the amount of money you want to spend and the final appearance you want to achieve. Some materials are more durable while others have better appearance. Learn about the maintenance methods and choose what fits your budget and needs better. You can seek help from professional designers in this regard as well.
Laying foundation
While constructing a walkway building a solid foundation is a must. Preparing the ground well enables your walkway to last long. Depth greater than 6 inches is good enough but it greatly depends on the materials you are using. Adding a base layer is important. Base layer should be compacted and layered smoothly so that the walkway can be evened. Add stones or sand on the top of the base layer this helps level the walkway over time. It also stops the walkway from getting deeper with time.
Installation
Once the foundation is built you can place your actual material on the top of it. Filling gaps and spaces is a must. A rubber mallet can be used to check on the leveling of the surface. Sweeping in the joints is important to secure all the pieces together. Lastly, edging the sides of your walkway will hold it in place and prevent spreading.
Finishing touches
Once the installation is complete you can add finishing touches like grinding and polishing the top surface for better appearance and smoothness. You can enhance the look of your walkway by adding string lights on either side or by using some other illuminators. Plants can be placed on the sides to give a more natural look to your outdoor area.
Designing the perfect walkway is an easy project if you follow the steps just right. With little effort you can add a perfect walkway to your outdoor space. This not only improves the appearance of your house but also raises its property value. Once your walkway is built right you can enjoy the view and use it for years with very little maintenance and upkeep.
