Royal Creations Blog

Practical Pathways

Pathways give you a way to move through your landscape without damaging it.  They also keep your feet clean, even during muddy, wet days.  There are several different ways to create pathways to complement your landscape.  Here are some of them. 

Stepping Stones 

Stepping stones are a common and economical way to build a pathway.  It is important to make them close enough and big enough to easily use them.  Flagstones or large pavers make nice stepping stones.  To ensure the stones make an easy and walkable path, we say, “Go big or go home.”  Tiny stones mean you must tiptoe through the tulips.  Stepping stones are an economical way to move people through your landscape.  One issue you can find with stepping stones is that grass, mulch, or obstacles can get on and between the stones.  They can be harder to navigate for the elderly and those using wheelchairs or walkers.   

Gravel Paths   

Gravel paths are another simple way of making a path through your garden.  They are also economical and are environmentally friendly.  Water can soak through the gravel into the soil.  Most pathway gravel is recycled from other quarry activities, too.  However, gravel paths can be difficult to roll strollers or wheelchairs on.  The gravel tends to get into nearby beds and lawn along the path, and weeds can grow through the gravel.  You also may need to add gravel every few years. 

Concrete paths 

Concrete is low maintenance and easy to keep clean.  That makes it great for entryways or sidewalks.  It is easier for strollers and wheelchairs to navigate than steppingstones or gravel paths.  You can color and stamp your concrete, so it matches your house. Concrete can also be poured and fashioned with nice, crisp lines.  Properly installed concrete paths can last a long time and weather most storms.  Over time, the soil moves, and the concrete expands with hot temperatures, so it may crack.  Rebar must be used to make the concrete strong.  Before the concrete is poured, a wooden form must be made.  For the best results, concrete should be installed by professionals who have the proper tools and training. 

Paver Paths 

If stepping stones are not your style, try a solid paver path.  These paths give a simple sidewalk or path some flair.  They are nice going up to the front door.  They also make a nice path from the front walk to a pool in the back, so people do not have to come through the house.  Pavers come in a variety of sizes and styles and can be used to blend in with the architecture or to contrast to it.  A paver path is easier to roll your cooler into the backyard than steppingstones or gravel.  Pavers can be laid in amazing patterns and have more personality than plain concrete.  You can replace a single paver if it heaves or cracks.  However, laying the path and keeping the pavers level is harder than it looks.  You may also have to touch up the sand between the pavers every few years. 

Bridges & Ramps 

Does your pathway cross a drainage swale, creek bed, or water feature on the property?  You need a bridge.  You have many choices for the building material:  wood, composite, PVC, stone, tile, or pavers.  We can make the bridge really shine, whatever material and bridge style you choose. 

Ramps make areas more accessible.  They can be used in the place of stairs or right beside them.  We can make the ramp an integral part of your paver pathway so the elderly or disabled friends can reach the whole landscape. 

One thing all these paths have in common is that the land must be prepared before you can lay them.  That means the sod is removed, gravel or sand put down, then the path material can be laid.  This is a lot of work, and it needs to be done right the first time to have good pathways that stay level and useful.  Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping has the tools, experience, and crew to do this right.  Our team can design the perfect path, complete with bridges, ramps, and other important features.  Contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today and schedule a consultation with our professionals on what path option is best for you.