We often hear from customers who are looking options for walkway design and installation for their home. In Maryland, it’s a good idea to have a hardscape walkway. Not only do they make the home look good and increase value, they also add to safety, security and the overall curb appeal.
It’s not just the view from the road. It’s the feel that people have when they pull up in the driveway and start heading for the door. A nice, inviting flow to the front door makes it natural for the person to easily come walk inside.
For Maryland, walkways should be design with drainage, and the wintery freeze/thaw in mind. Here are four of the types of walkways we like to build around here.
Paver Walkways
These are very popular and cost efficient, and a favorite among residential customers. They drain well, so rainwater can infiltrare right back into the ground. They are quickly and easily installed with little disturbance. They interlock, which helps them fit tightly against each other nicely and neatly. Plus you can choose from a variety of styles and colors to create a pattern that works well for your home.
Pavers for sidewalks can come in a variety of styles and textures. They can be made to resemble brick, stone and wood. You can alternate colors or put accent colors along an edge for a attractive design. They are a great choice for most homes in Maryland.
Concrete Walkways
Concrete is also an economical choice for a walkway. Concrete creates a contiuous surfaces and is easily mainteained, cleaned and sealed. Since water runs off concrete (zero infiltration), we do have to make sure drainage is appropriate for the landscape.
You can stamp concrete to create a more ornate or stylish look to the surface – it doesn’t just have to be plain and flat. But if it is, there are plenty of paints and sealants available to get the exact look you desire. Concrete is extremely durable and has a long life span. It can crack over time, especially in Maryland where freeze/thaw occurs in wintertime. To overcome that it is especially important to ensure good drainage, install a proper subgrade and finish the concrete the right way to reduces chances of cracking.
Flagstone Walkways
Flagstone is a term meant to describe split sedimentary stone such as sandstone, bluestone, slate, limestone and quartzite. These stone slabs of stone are milled to 1-3 inch thickness to make them easier to install.
The flagstone is probaby the most classy and elegant design is a favorite for its natural, varying look. They have good drainage and a good lifespan. They can be laid in close proximity to each other with mortar or placed in fine gravel.
Brick Walkways
If you’ve got a more traditional or colonial style home, brick might be what you’re looking for. It’s got a timeless, classic look as early as America itself. But it also works well with the popular modern, industrial styles. They are easy to clean and maintain and have a good lifespan. They can be laid to build shapes and patterns for a creative, custom look.
Bricks are a more expensive option for sidewalk design and installation. To save money, the bricks can be stalled at the edge of concrete for a nicer look than plain concrete.
Pro Tips:
- Walkways should be built with drainage paramount! Any time you are placing a hardscape along a home, it’s important to ensure that runoff flows away from the home and isn’t trapping water near the foundation of the home.
- Do it right the first time. If you aren’t experienced with laying pavers or stone, this is probably not a DIY project. Installing a proper base is key, otherwise you’ll see uneven, heaving pavers, puddling, settling, low spots and it will look sloppy. You’ll spend twice as much money having the work re-done than having good masons building it right in the beginning.
Interested in having a walkway or sidewalk installed at your home? Schedule your free consultation with Chesapeake Landscapes. We serve Harford, Baltimore and Cecil Counties in Maryland. You’ll have a great experience with us and you’ll be delighted with the final product!