Planning Walkways and Patios for Landscapes

Good landscape design includes more than just plants. It also involves how people circulate or move about the yard. Driveways, walkways and patios are installed to accommodate and direct this pedestrian flow.

When creating a landscape design determine where driveways, patios and walkways should be located and what special requirements you may have for each.

Walkways are installed to handle pedestrian traffic between two heavily used areas. Consider walkways not only to the front entrance but those that run from the driveway to a side door or around to a deck or patio. Walkways are also needed for master entries to create a firm surface for winter shoveling and pedestrian access.

Patios are simply large surfaced areas for outside relaxation or entertaining. Unlike decks which can extend over hillsides and ravines, patios must be installed on flat terrain. Patios pose less safety concerns as compared to decks. Patios do not need handrails because they are on flat surfaces, and women can walk across patios without catching their heels between a deck’s wood slats.

Driveways need to be wide enough to accommodate the width of an automobile with room to open car doors and space to walk alongside the car. Walkways should allow two adults to walk comfortably side by side. Patios should be large enough to accommodate several people with approximately 30 square feet of room per person.

Patios, walkways and driveways can be installed on of two ways. Stone, slate pavers or brick can be laid on concrete or on a properly prepared sand and gravel base.

One excellent dry laid option is pavers. These are similar to bricks in size and appearance but are a bit thicker and made of compressed concrete. Pavers can fit together piece by piece without mortar.

Pavers have become very popular within the last ten years because they are easy to lay and are very strong. They also provide great latitude in design as they come in various colors, shapes and sizes. Pavers can be used for jobs varying in size from a rustic patio to an entire driveway.

Consider what specific needs you have. Choose the most appropriate or favorite building material and enhance the pedestrian and vehicle use areas within your landscape.