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PathsWhy do we construct paths? To walk from one place to another that's what makes it practical, but unless it's made to serve that purpose it'll be ignored or even worse be avoided if there is actually no purpose or pleasure to using it. As I've said elsewhere, your landscaping and garden designs have to fulfil either purpose or pleasure, better still if it serves both. Straight lines are practical if you need to move quickly from one point to another but in a garden setting it's got to be a means to appreciate everything in the garden at a pace to enjoy and observe. On the other hand you shouldn't consider a meandering path that invites you to take a shortcut, when that happens an element of your landscaping has failed. So we're somewhere in between straight lines or a route that takes you to nowhere. The structure is by no means restricted to concrete and some designs other than concrete can be made to look extremely attractive, introducing differing textures and finishes. Keep the height up to a level that won't hold water after rainfall and are fairly evenly laid. Most materials can be used including brick, block paving, shells, gravel and of course concrete. In fact anything that can be considered compressed and permanent is 'good' path material even wood to some extent. Some expertise is needed to set a footpath around the garden and unfortunately a little bit of muscle, but all is achievable. If you're calculating volume for concreting the area will be the length times the width, then mutiply this by the depth. e.g. Alternatives are dry laid such as gravel, shingle, slate and stone. when laying the loose type ensure that side boards are used to contain the aggregate. There's no 'best' method and your design or style of garden will normally dictate the path you decide on.
Mike Lyons.....Any questions! Please contact me. I'd welcome your comments, tips and suggestions, for more information click here (BOOKMARK HOMEPAGE FOR QUICK REFERENCE)
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