Sure, if you’re pretty handy you can design and install your own paver walkway.
You’ll need some tools, from easy stuff like a shovel, work gloves, and hand saw to more specific things like edging, gravel and, if you have an old walkway to tear out, a jackhammer.
Watch any YouTube video or check in on a helpful how-to website and they’ll walk you through the DIY walkway installation steps:
So, that was obviously a really condensed version of DIY paver walkway installation.
There’s quite a bit of work involved, from digging and measuring to tamping and leveling. But if you’re handy and you love this kind of thing, it’s a doable project.
Put on those safety goggles, get some Advil ready for later, and dive in.
But if the thought hasn’t occurred to you to hire professional paver walkway installation, here are some things to consider.
If your front walkway came with your house, it’s probably pretty ho-hum. Considering just replacing the cracked concrete with pretty new pavers?
A landscape designer can bring some creativity to your walkway. Why not flare it out a bit, add some curves, add some character?
Make it wider. Designers love to make an impact by flaring that walkway out to six feet where it meets the driveway, and four feet the rest of the way.
If you already have a paver driveway, should you match your new walkway to it? (Yes.)
A Central Florida professional paver walkway installer will bring wow-worthy ideas that hadn’t occurred to you.
There’s a lot to know.
Like what size works best. What pattern to use? Stack bond? Herringbone? Stagger?
What about a contrasting border to really set it off? Should it be soldier course? (Yes, that’s a real thing.)
Save the stress. A professional paver walkway installer knows all the patterns and colors available and how to combine them for a walkway that wows.
Landscaping projects are always evolving.
You’re planning a simple paver walkway now, but later on you might want to add landscape lighting or upgrade your irrigation.
At Ground Source in Central Florida, we install PVC conduit under your paver walkway to make adding irrigation or landscape lighting easier later.
That way, we won’t have to tear up all the pavers to do work underneath them.
Pavers love to shift. The right edging is key here. Edging helps keep the pavers snugly in place.
Here in Central Florida, it’s important to use concrete molded edging, not the cheap plastic edging with spikes you can buy at the home improvement store. The soil is too sandy and soft here for that. You’ll end up with paver edging problems. Bonus: the concrete edge looks much nicer.
We promise, we’re not trying to complicate your life here, but where are your downspouts?
You might not even think of this, but a lot of times there’ll be a downspout on the corner of the garage that pours down onto your pavers.
Over time, that water flow can loosen the sand between pavers, causing them to shift.
A good Central Florida professional paver walkway installer will know to move the downspout so it doesn’t empty onto your pavers.
You would think your paver walkway needs to be perfectly level, but that’s not exactly true.
Pros know your paver project should pitch to the side a bit, so water can drain.
The area should look and seem flat and level, but will be installed with just enough tilt for proper drainage.
A lot of those DIY walkway installation videos don’t say anything about sealing your new paver walkway. Why not? No idea. It’s pretty important.
Go with professional paver walkway installation and they’ll seal it right away, and it will need a new coat every three to four years.
If you still want to tackle that DIY paver walkway installation, we wish you the best. Sending good vibes for recovery after your afternoon of toil.
Need some help? Partner with a Central Florida professional paver walkway installer with a creative designer on staff who can turn a blah walkway into an appealing, welcoming design statement.
Walk this way.
We’re paver experts, but our skills don’t stop there. We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you can’t wait to come home to.
Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.