Installing Brick and Stone Walks or Steps
Installing brick or stone steps through your yard adds value and beauty as well as function. It is moderately difficulty, but with a little planning and a bit of effort you can complete the project in just a few days. Bricks and stones are durable landscape materials that will last for many years.
Bricks and stones come in a variety of colors and textures, so they look polished with brick or natural and rustic with stone. You can lay a strong and durable series of steps with either material.
- Avoid straight lines unless your garden has geometric design. Pathways should wander or curve, and need to have a destination. Paths that lead nowhere are not useful of decorative design elements. Stepping stones, also known as pavers, can be made from a variety of materials. You can even add unique pieces of art interspersed with the stone.
- Mark the path you want the pavers to follow and dry-fit the stones by laying them out. Adjust the layout if needed.
- Place the stones so the center of each stone is 18 inches from the center of the previous stone.
- Outline the edges of the first stone with a trowel or spade. Remove the stepping stone and dig the dirt from the outline. Make the hole one inch above the soil surface after you have added one inch of sand. This allows for settling. Take into account the thickness of the stepping stone as you prepare each hole.
- Pour one inch builder's sand in the hole, even it out and check with a water level.
- Place the stepping stone in the hole. Repeat with each successive stepping stone. Use a level or long board to make sure the steps at an even height.
- Add any additional sand as needed, and tamp to set.