hardscape
When we think about experiencing our landscapes, it’s important to consider how you, your family and guests will travel throughout your space. Walkways, steps and driveways help you journey throughout your landscape and navigate changes in terrain. For example, walkways can transport you throughout your leisure spaces, while steps can transition you from your yard to an elevated patio. Here at Merrifield Garden Center, we would love the opportunity to help you design and install the perfect walkways, steps and driveway for your home.
Walkways
When planning your walkway, the first item to consider is the material. Walkways can be constructed out of concrete, natural stone like flagstone, brick, gravel or decorative stones and there are pros and cons to each option. To see the pros and cons of each material from our landscape design teams perspective, visit our Patios Landscape Services page. Depending on the material selected, you’ll have the option to install it wet laid or dry laid.
A wet laid walkway involves mortaring natural stone or brick onto a subbase in your yard. The subbase is constructed of gravel, topped with a layer of concrete that your finishing stone is then mortared to. This method is typically considered the higher end approach as it does not require regular maintenance like weeding or replenishing sand or gravel between the joints. It is also typically more expensive.
A dry laid walkway involves laying pavers, brick or natural stone like flagstone over a subbase and placing bluestone gravel or sand between the joints. This is typically less expensive than wet laid options as it does not require mortar installation thus saving cost on labor.
A major benefit of dry laying your walkway is that it is more flexible during freezing, thawing and settling. Because the dry laid walkway has flexible joints, the ground can easily freeze/thaw, preventing your surface stone or paver from cracking during the colder months. If needed, the surface stones can also be picked up, releveled and reset, while wet laid walkways always remain in place due to the mortar.
Dry laid walkways typically require more maintenance as weeds can emerge between the joints. You’ll also need to replenish the sand or bluestone gravel in between the joints of the pavers every couple of years.
Driveways
When it comes to designing and installing driveways, the most common method is a dry laid paver, gravel or decorative stone surface. We also design and install mortared brick driveways. Our team of landscape specialists will work with you to select a material that meets the weight requirements, budget and your design style.
Steps
Steps are important throughout the landscape to allow us to move easily through different elevations of the garden. They can be achieved with many types of materials, such as stepping stones, boulders, pavers, flagstone, landscape timbers and more. They can be installed wet laid or dry laid, depending on the material and location.
If you’re interested in working with our team to build your walkway, steps or driveway, please book a Full Service landscape design appointment. A member of our landscape design team will meet with you at your home to review your space and discuss design solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. During the appointment, we will work with you to understand your project goals, vision and preferences.
Our designer will take note of your specific needs and desires for your walkway, steps or driveway project and draft a detailed proposal for your project, which will include a material recommendation that meets your needs and desired look. A formal landscape design drawing can be provided for an additional fee.
Once you and the designer agree on the approach and material, it’s time for us to get to work. Your designer will work with our construction manager to source the materials for your project. They will remain with you during the construction process and our team will work every step of the way until the project is complete.
