Stone Paths
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1.
Stone paths are highly decorative and easy to lay. You fit them
like a long, freeform puzzle.
2.
Steppers are smaller, irregular-shape stones. They look best when
fit more tightly.
3. Flagstones are larger, irregular-shape stones.
They cost more than steppers but look more dramatic and are more stable
underfoot.
4. Cut stone is easy to fit and appears more
formal than irregular-shape stones. Use a saw with a diamond blade to trim
them.
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Stone is rich in color
and texture. Each piece is unique. And it’s timeless: A path installed
yesterday may look as if it’s been there for generations. It’s the most
expensive path material. This stuff is heavy, but surprisingly easy to install.
In most cases, you simply set each piece on a layer of sand and level it. In
high-use areas, fit each piece more tightly to lessen the chance of
tripping.
Design Factors
Best use: Stone is highly
decorative and good for light to moderately heavy traffic. Best for foot
traffic. It’s not so good for bikes, wheelbarrows and lawn mowers. The rough,
uneven surface is difficult to shovel in winter.
Versatility: Ideal for minimal
disturbance of gardens and lawn. Great for around trees because you don’t have
to disturb the roots. Good material for an indecisive gardener— it’s easy to
shift the entire path for a new rosebush!
Longevity/maintenance: The stones
will last forever.You may have to lift and reset them if they dip or stick up
too high.
Drainage: Let steppingstones follow
the lay of the land. Water will run off into the joints. For tightly fitted
stone, pitch the path about 1/4 in. per ft. to the
side.
Slopes: Build stone steps to match
the path. Buy riser stones and large tread stones from the stone
supplier.
Material Selection
Limestone, granite,
sandstone and slate are the most common types, all available in various colors,
sizes and shapes. Set them apart as steppingstones or fit them tightly for a
more solid pathway. Select material that’s at least 1 in. thick to avoid
cracking.
Here are the basic
categories:
Steppers are small (15 in. across
or less), light and easy to handle, but laying them is slow because you have to
fit and level each one. Steppers are prone to wobbling and have to be reset
more often than larger stones.
Flagstones are large (24 to 48 in.
across) irregular pieces. They’re slightly more expensive than steppers, but
they’re versatile. You can always break a big piece to make smaller ones for
tighter fits. Their size and weight helps keep them stable, and they’re less
likely to shift and need resetting.
Cut stone is the most expensive but
easiest to fit tightly. It looks especially good when set between borders.
However, cut stone will probably require more cutting to achieve the more exact
fits. Order your stone from a landscape or masonry supplier. The supplier will
tell you how much coverage (square feet) to expect per ton.
Cost: $3 to $9 per sq.
ft.
Key Construction Details
Setting stone is a lot
like putting together a big, heavy jigsaw puzzle. You first skim and flatten
the proposed pathway, then dump in and smooth out a couple of inches of sand as
a setting bed. Patience is essential when it comes to fitting. Spread out the
stones and pick and choose for a pleasing pattern.
The stones will weigh 60
to 200 lbs.! Use a dolly to move the big pieces into place.
Finish by filling all
the joints tightly with sand, soil or mulch (packed in). Plant a ground cover
in the joints for an attractive appearance and to help hold the soil in
place.
Paver Paths
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1. Pavers are designed to lie in a tight pattern.
Colors and patterns vary widely.
2. Concrete pavers are cast in a wide variety of
geometric shapes and colors. Most have rounded edges.
3. Clay pavers offer the traditional brick look.
Most have crisp, square edges.
4. Stone pavers are cut from natural stone and are
a uniform size. They often have rough faces.
Pavers have been around
since the Romans cut stones and placed them on a gravel bed to make incredibly
durable roads. They can withstand heavy use. Modern versions are made from
concrete, clay or stone. A paver path is a labor-intensive project that
requires the rental of a heavy plate compactor for proper installation.
But the result is a permanent, tight-fitting, relatively smooth path that
rivals solid concrete for durability.
Design Factors
Best uses:
All-around excellent material for paths, walks and even driveways, since paver
construction can withstand heavy weight. They’re highly decorative.You can
choose from a variety of colors and patterns, creating anything from a formal
English garden walk to an ancient-looking cobblestone path.
Versatility:
Ideal for straight or curved paths. However, since pavers require a compact
gravel base, changing the path later is a huge job. Use with caution around
mature trees, so as not to damage the roots.
Longevity/maintenance: This type of path will last a
lifetime. To avoid weeds, sweep off dirt so it doesn’t accumulate in the
joints. Every few years, sweep more sand into the joints to keep the pavers
secure.
Drainage: Set
the path to drain at 1/4 in. per ft. to the side. Set the pavers slightly above
the surrounding grade.
Slopes: Pavers
can be laid on steep inclines (if you can walk up it, pavers can be laid on
it), but don’t use them for steps. Use stone, concrete or wood for the steps
instead.
Materials
Click image to enlarge.
Concrete pavers
are the most common and diverse, available in different colors and shapes.You
can arrange each shape in a number of patterns. They have beveled edges for
easier fitting and shoveling. Expect them to last 30 years or more. The color
will fade slightly as they weather.
Clay pavers were commonly used for
streets in the 1900s. Many versions are available today, from soft-textured
molded styles to crisper “wire cut” types. Color retention and durability are
excellent. Set them perfectly even; the edges on some types can chip. Be sure
what you buy is a paver, not a house brick, which is softer and will
deteriorate.
Stone pavers
are the most expensive, at least twice the price of clay or concrete pavers.
They’re often tumbled to make them look old. They’re incredibly hard and
difficult to cut, but they’re attractive and will last a
lifetime.
You’ll find the largest
selection of all types of pavers at a landscape, brick or stone supplier. You
can usually find concrete pavers at home centers as well.
Cost: Concrete
and clay pavers: $2 to $4 per sq. ft. Stone pavers: $7 per sq. ft. and up. Add
about $3.50 per sq. ft. for a 7-in. thick bed of base material plus
edging.
Key Construction Details
Setting pavers is a lot
of repetitious work and isn’t a job for a novice.You first dig a pathway about
9 in. deep and fill and compact the base material (gravel that packs well) with
a special plate compactor ($60 per day to rent). Then you lay the edging,
spread and level a bed of sand and drop in the pavers.You usually have to cut
some pavers to fit with a saw and diamond blade. To finish, you set the pavers
with the plate compactor and then sweep sand into the joints.
