Designing a Patio or Walkway
Creating a patio or walkway requires more than just digging a hole and setting the pavers. By taking the time to design and lay it out, you will ensure that you will have years of enjoyment from your landscaping addition. Learn the basics in this Lowe’s video:
You should always do some planning before you start digging. There is no right or wrong way to design a patio or walkway. It’s your home, so choose a design that you like. Before choosing a location and size, think about how you will use it:
- An attractive area for entertaining friends works well near a pool or along the house.
- A quiet retreat for you and your family near a garden might include a walkway and small patio.
- An outdoor barbecue area for summer cookouts would be most functional near the house.
- If you have outdoor furnishings, make sure your patio design is large enough to accommodate them.
Pavers and stepping stones are available in many different styles, colors, and shades. You can customize your project to reflect your personality. The easiest patterns to install are jack-on-jack and basketweave as they require minimal cutting. Pinwheel, 90-degree herringbone and 45-degree herringbone patterns are more advanced. The running bond pattern has staggered joints and is not as difficult to install.
Choose a pattern that works well with the look of your home. Jack-on-jack and running bond patterns works best with traditional homes, while the pinwheel design is more contemporary.
The time it will take to complete your project will depend on the size. You may want to set aside one weekend for preparing the foundation and another for installing the pavers. Before digging, have a professional mark the location of electrical or gas lines. Call 811 to get free assistance from your local utility companies.
Start your project by marking off the area you will be paving with nylon mason string and stakes. Level the strings and check them for square. Measure the diagonals of the area; if they are equal, the area is square. Then mark the area with marking paint. Now you can visualize the end result. Make sure the path or patio steers clear of large trees to avoid disturbing tree roots when excavating the soil.
Use a garden hose for curved designs. Lay the hose in the desired curved pattern, cover it with sand, and then lift the hose away. The sand will mark the shape after the hose has been removed.
If your path or patio has rounded corners, mark these curves by tying a piece of string to a stake that is equidistant from the two adjacent edges. Tie the other end of the string to a can of marking paint. This creates a compass to mark the curve. Step back and make sure the area is the size and shape that you want; if not, move the lines and mark it again. Once you have finished making your adjustments, measure the square footage so you can determine the number of pavers and amount of base material you will need.
