Paving your way to perfect paths

Perfectly laid paths are not just for improving access to areas around your home; they are also great for improving your home’s curb appeal and raising your property value. When it comes to building gorgeous paths, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Materials

Brick

Tried and tested, brick paths are proof that classics never go out of style. Because of their compact size and regular shape, bricks can form all sorts of patterns. Plus, with several colour options, including pale yellows, the usual reds, and dark browns, brick paths don’t have to be boring. Bricks are non-slip and very durable, and even if a portion of your brick path gets damaged, it’s very cheap and easy to replace individual chipped or cracked bricks.

Concrete pavers

If you want limitless colour and shape options, concrete pavers are your best bet. Concrete pavers are probably the most versatile of all paving materials. They can be dyed any colour, formed into all sorts of shapes, and made to mimic bricks or natural stone. Concrete pavers are perfect for those who want interlocking designs for their paths. Easy to install, affordable, and durable, concrete pavers are a great choice for any home.

Natural stones

Although more expensive than other paving materials, natural stones like granite, bluestone, and limestone definitely have a certain unique appeal. On average, natural stones last much longer than concrete imitations, and their colours won’t fade over time.

Gravel

For neat paths that are cheap and easy to install, gravel is the perfect material. However, gravel requires a lot of maintenance, as it can be difficult to keep a gravel path in tiptop form at all times.

Patterns and styles

With the variety of materials available for creating paths, you can pretty much dream up any pattern or design to perfectly match your home. For brick paths, some of the most popular patterns include the stack bond, stretcher bond, herringbone, circular, and basket weave patterns. You’ll have even more design choices with natural stones since they come in practically all shapes and sizes. You can even combine stones with gravel, timber, or grass to create an interesting and multi-dimensional path. As for concrete pavers, apart from all the designs you can make using bricks and stones, you also have the option of creating custom designs using special shapes such as hexagons and keyholes.

Installation

To make sure that your path will last for a long time, proper installation is necessary. Paving materials are usually laid over a concrete slab, set in mortar, or arranged over a sand bed. In some areas, excavation is required prior to installation to ensure that the path will be on a stable, even footing. Edging is another important factor during paving installation. Materials such as bricks, stones, logs, and many more should be neatly arranged around the path to keep the paving materials from shifting.

For more paving options, post your job and get free paving quotes within the day.