Home Renovations Company
A Guide To Create
A Low-Cost Walkway
For Your Home
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A DIY Guide To Creating A Low-Cost Walkway For Your Home
Transforming your home’s outdoor space can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. This do-it-yourself guide will walk you through what you need to create a walkway, creating a welcoming path to your home, on a budget.
This diy guide will walk you through the process of paving a simple, stylish walkway using low cost materials, basic tools and a weekend’s worth of effort.
Why Pave A Walkway To Your Home?
A paved walkway offers practicality and a welcoming charm to your home. A walkway provides a stable, clear path to your home that also gives your home a great additional aesthetic, and can also increase the value of your home.
Materials And Tools That You Will Need
You will want to get the materials, supplies and tools that you will need before beginning. Here is a list of the essentials,
with the approximate costs for a 10-foot long, 3-foot wide walkway (30 square feet).
Materials
These are the materials and cost estimate for a 30 square foot walkway.
- Concrete pavers will cost you about $1-$3 per square foot. Natural stone, like flagstone, will cost about $2-$5 per square foot. Expect the cost to be between $30-$90.
- Gravel or crushed stone, which will be the base layer, will cost about $1 per square foot. You will need about 0.5 cubic yards for a 4-inch base. This will cost about $20-$40.
- You will need sand for leveling. You will need one or two bags, which will cost about $5-$10 for a 50-pound bag.
- You will need polymeric sand for filling joints between pavers. This will cost about $15-$30 per bag.
- Landscape fabric will be needed to prevent weeds from growing. This wil cost about $10-$20 per roll.
- Plastic or metal edging will be needed to secure the pavers. This will cost about $10-$20 for 20 feet.
The total material cost will be roughly between $100-$200, depending on the materials chosen.
Tools
- You will need a shovel. It will cost you between $10-$20.
- You will need a rake. It will cost you between $10-$20.
- You will need a level. It will cost you between $5-$10.
- You will need a rubber mallet. It will cost you between $5-$10.
- You will need a measuring tape. It will cost you about $5.
- You will need a tamper or plate compactor. You can rent one for about $20-$50 a day.
- You will need a broom. It will cost you between $5-$10.
- You will need safety glasses. They will cost you $5-$10.
- You will need gloves. They will cost you $5-$10.
You may also have many of these tools, which can lower the overall cost to build the walkway.
Paving Your Walkway - A Step-By-Step-Guide
1. Plan Your Walkway
- Map out your home's walkway. Creating a straight path is the easiest, but adding a slight curve is visually more appealing. You can use a garden hose, a rope or a string to create the outline.
- Measure and stake the walkway using stakes and string. Make sure that the path is wide enough. Usually, a width of 2.5-4 feet is ideal.
- Make sure that the walkway slopes slightly, about a 1/4 inch per foot away from your house for drainage.
2. Lay The Foundation
- Dig out the path to a depth of 6-8 inches, with 4 inches for the base, 1-2 inches for the sand, plus the paver thickness. Use a shovel to remove grass, roots and rocks.
- Level the base with a rake and check for evenness using a level. A flat base prevents uneven pavers later.
- Lay down landscape fabric to block weeds, cutting it to fit the path.
3. Build The Base
- Spread a 4-inch layer of gravel or crushed stone. First put down a 2-inch layer, compacting it with a tamper or rented plate compactor for stability, and then repeating the process with the second layer.
- Use a level to make sure that the base is even, and slopes slightly for drainage. A solid base prevents pavers from shifting over time.
4. Add Sand And Lay Pavers
- Add a 1-2 inch layer of sand over the gravel. Smooth it with a board or rake to create a level surface.
- Start laying pavers, starting at one end in the pattern that you choose. Press each paver into the sand with a rubber mallet, ensuring that they are snug and level. You can cut pavers as needed with a chisel or you can rent a masonry saw (for about $20-$50 a day) to get the job done quicker.
- Secure the walkway's edges with plastic or metal edging to keep pavers in place.
5. Fill And Finish
- Sweep polymeric sand into the gaps between pavers. The polymeric sand will harden when wet, locking pavers in place and preventing weeds.
- Lightly tamp the pavers again, then mist the walkway with water to set the polymeric sand. Be sure to follow the product's instructions for curing time, which is usually 24 hours.
- Sweep away any excess sand and debris for a polished look.
Design Tips For A More Visually Appealing Walkway
- You can combine pavers with gravel or pebbles for a textured look.
- You can use simple patterns like basketweave or staggered rows to add visual appeal.
- You can use small gaps for ground cover plants like thyme or moss for a more natural look.
- You can add lights to give it more ambiance.
Maintenance Tips
Some maintenance tips for your new walkway are:
- You should apply every 2-3 years to protect against stains and weathering.
- You should check for weeds periodically and reapply polymeric sand as needed.
- You can sweep or hose down the walkway to keep it looking fresh.
Before starting, you may want to check with your local regulations for any permits that you may need, however, permits are not usually required for walkways. Also, be sure to avoid any underground utilities and call the local utilities company to check for any potential issues.
Conclusion
Paving a walkway yourself is a rewarding, low-cost and easy project to do for your home’s exterior. With a basic tools, some low-cost materials, some planning and a weekend or work, you can create a durable and stylish walkway to your home that can last for years to come.