Smart Paver Walkway Design Tips to Consider Before It’s Built
A paver walkway can make a great addition to any home. However, not all of them are created equal. There are smart paver designs and not-so-smart ones. These helpful walkway design tips will help ensure all the most important elements of your new walkway are in place before the first footstep falls on it. Smart paver designs take into account several factors. Some of these include intended use, material, expected foot traffic, and general aesthetics. Let’s take a look at some important aspects of walkway design.
Is Bigger Better or Smaller Smarter?
Size is one of the most obvious yet often-overlooked aspects of paver walkway design. For example, a walkway that’s too big will look clunky and out of place. Conversely, one that’s too small will look decorative rather than functional and may not accommodate everyone who needs to use it. Luckily, there are some general guidelines regarding the width of your walkways.
First, it depends on the type of walkway. There are generally two: your primary walkways and the auxiliary ones. Primary walkways typically go to the main entrances to your home from the driveway. Auxiliary, on the other hand, are generally walkways that aren’t used as much, such as going to a side door entrance.
Suppose you are doing a primary walkway where more traffic is expected. In that case, they are usually a minimum of 48″ wide. The thought is two people should be able to walk down side by side or accommodate a wheelchair. For secondary or auxiliary walkways, most are around 24″ wide. For some houses, this can seem a bit narrow, so speak to your contractor. In our experience, a 36″ wide walkway is a good in-between.
Again, this can be custom based on the design of your hardscape. The size of your paver walkway should match both your design vision and your needs. It’s always a good idea to consult a paver expert before deciding on a size for your paver walkway.
Should it be Straight or Curved?
Paver experts are often asked which paver walkway design is better, curved or straight. The truth is, neither one is superior. It all depends on the layout of your outdoor space and your vision for your walkway. Most of the time, the space itself will determine whether a curve or straight walkway is more appropriate. Sometimes, there simply isn’t room for a curved walkway. In other cases, a stick-straight walkway could make an area look dull or uninviting.
If you aren’t sure which option is suitable for your space, consult an expert. An experienced professional can offer many walkway design tips and advise you on which type of walkway will best suit your space.
Smart Walkway Details to Consider
Just because it’s a walkway doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Actually, paver walkways can be used to either accent or compliment an existing space. For example, building an eye-catching accent walkway in a relatively empty or bland-looking space can breathe new life into it. However, if you make the wrong choice for your space, your walkway could look out of place.
There are also functional design options to consider. Because the main purpose of walkways is to stay safe, you might want to consider incorporating built-in lighting. You also want to consider rain runoff. Depending on the materials used, how to design for this will vary. Luckily, we know them all!
Trust 7th State Builders for Smart Paver Design
The dedicated staff at 7th State Builders has been in the business for years (more than 20, to be exact). We have the experience needed to offer our clients intelligent walkway design tips they can rely on when starting their paver path projects. Whether you’re looking for a simple design to guide visitors to your door or an elaborate configuration to fill out your landscaping area, we know how to get it done. Call us today to begin building your dream paver walkway.
