It's amazing how important a well maintained driveway or walkway can be to the overall appearance and value of your landscape. If the pavement is cracked and broken the property can look run down and unkempt. If the paths are just gravel or dirt your curb appeal may be greatly diminished. If you live in an area that is hit with snow and ice, your passageways become even more important.
If you've been thinking about improving your driveway and paths, it is probably time to call a stone mason and get the process rolling. It's important to find quality craftsmen, because if it is not properly constructed, it will quickly crack and deteriorate. After all, laying a walkway is more then scattering some pavers or pouring concrete. To do it right, expertise is required.
Measure and Layout the Driveway Pavers - Before anybody brings out the shovels, you'll need a tape measure and a paper and pencil. Go outside the check out the area. We often take things for granted and ignore elements which we might see every day. After walking the area, you might decide that the path should curve or the driveway should be a little longer. Once you've measured the area, draw it out on paper. The stone masons will also measure, but this allows you to see different options and help you better understand the process.
Excavate and prepare the area - The next step in the process is the excavation of the site. Think about future projects you might want to undertake. If you are planning on installing a pond, fountain, fire pit or outdoor kitchen, you might want to consider running an electrical line under a path before it's built so it doesn't need to be dug up later. You'll also want to call the utility companies before digging begins to find out the location of underground lines. Excavation includes digging out the area, laying wooden boards to form edges, installing a gravel aggregate which will follow the grade of the slope, and mechanically tampering it down. After the area is leveled, sand will be spread.
Cut and place paver stones - Driveway pavers add a sophisticated look that concrete can't compete with. There is a wide range of shapes, styles and colors so ask your stone mason for ideas that will work for your particular property. Consider coordinating your driveway pavestones with patio pavers to create a cohesive and complimentary look.
Paver stones will be measured and cut in advance. Then they will set into place and tapped down.
Install the edge - The final step of building a driveway, patio floor, or formal walkway is the installation of the edge. The wooden boards that marked off the edges will be replaced with edging stones. Sand will then be swept into the edges and cracks between the paver stones.
Your driveway is complete once you've walked or driven on it. Make sure to step back and take in the whole picture. It is truly amazing how a driveway or walkway can transform a landscape.
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