Site planning
Construction work, including paving walkways, requires preparation and careful planning. This allows you to avoid problems in the later stages of the construction process and avoid unnecessary expenses. When planning walkways on the site, you should consider all existing buildings, shrubs and trees, the purpose of the paths. So, the walkways should be located at a distance of at least 60-80 cm from the trees so that the growth of plants does not subsequently deform the masonry.
Depending on the frequency of use of the tracks, their width should be indicated. For less demanded, 75 cm wide is enough, for those that are constantly used – 1-1.5 m.
Paving material: features of choice
One of the most critical steps in the walkways design process is the selection of paving materials. To select a material, answer the questions:
- How often you plan to use the walkways.
- What are the climatic conditions of the area where the site is located: humidity, temperature?
- How much money can you spend on creating walkways?
- What is the style of the site where the paving will be done?
- The aesthetic result and the service life of the tracks depend on the selection of materials.
A natural stone
The stone is suitable for laying out walkways in backyards with any style of landscaping – in this sense, it is versatile. The durability and cost of the material depend on the type of stone. For paving walkways are used:
Granite, distinguished by its strength, has a variety of shades (from light gray to black, from beige-pink to burgundy, green, and blue shades), resistance, particularly low temperatures. The material can be purchased in the form of paving stones or tiles.
Slate. Due to the layered structure, the stone is easily divided into layers, tiles used for laying. The material has a rich colour palette – white, gray, dark orange, dark green shades.
Quartzite with greater hardness and durability. It can be painted in white, gray, shades of red and green. Has a rough surface, so it does not become slippery in rainy weather or winter? They are sold as paving slabs or paving stones.
Shungite, a durable, abrasion-resistant stone. It does not absorb moisture; therefore, it is not subject to destructive effects at sub-zero temperatures. The colour scheme of the material is designed in gray and black shades. If the composition of the stone contains quartz, white or gold veins can be seen on its surface. You can lay out paths from both large slabs and smaller ones, paving stones can be used.
Sandstone is less expensive than other types of natural stones. It has less strength, absorbs moisture more than shale, quartzite, or granite, but this figure is still quite low (from 5 to 20%). The roughness of the surface prevents slipping, which makes the movement safer in winter or the rain. The material can have a natural shape, it is sold in the form of slabs and small tiles of irregular shape, in the form of paving stones.
Slab stone, which may include granite, quartzite, sandstone, limestone, shale, and other rocks, made in the form of plates from 12 to 150 mm. Their strength and durability depend on the thickness of the slab, its shape, and the stone’s origin.
Natural stone is a durable material. However, this material is quite expensive. In addition, some types of natural stones have their own disadvantages.
In addition to using slabs or paving stones, the walkways can be lined with natural cobblestones. A combination of stones with a rough and smooth surface is possible. For example, this is sandstone with granite.
Artificial stone
Materials such as clinker and concrete are suitable as artificial stones for paving paths.
Concrete is a durable material. Samples imitating natural stone are suitable for finishing walkways, but ordinary concrete slabs can also be used. It has sufficient hardness, has a geometric or slightly rounded shape, and is cheaper than the natural material. Concrete slabs are best used with a rough surface to facilitate movement on paths and prevent slipping.
Clinker – a material made of refractory and kaolin clay, is much more durable than concrete. Its price is also higher. The material can be used in the form of paving stones or tiles. Clinker paving is more durable and resistant, so it should be laid for tracks with very high traffic. However, it is better to layout garden paths with clinker tiles so as not to overpay for expensive material.
Calculation of materials for paving paths
Based on the created plan and the selected material, we calculate the required number of tiles, paving stones, or stones. First, the number of elements required to cover 1 m2 is calculated. The resulting amount is multiplied by the total area planned for the paths. This number reflects the amount of material required. It should be borne in mind that you need to purchase products by 5-10% more. Because some of the elements can be damaged during paving. It is better to buy materials in one batch to avoid differences in shades and quality.
Supreme Contractors Group will help you plan your backyard and determine routes, material, and walkways widths.
