When you want an instant upgrade to your curb appeal, look no further than building a brick walkway. Constructing one is a lot easier than you might think. Finding the right masonry products to complete your project can be just as easy as constructing it with the right experts. Our Orlando masonry experts will not only walk you through the many brick options we have, but they will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have about the project process.
In order to get the project done right, you need the proper masonry tools and materials. To get you started, our Orlando masonry experts have laid out the essentials you need to consider when designing a walkway.
Location, Location, Location!
The first step in creating your brick walkway is determining where you want it. Choosing a location helps you identify what amount of materials will be needed to complete the project. When measuring the walkway space, you need to be mindful that a typical walkway measures three to four feet wide. This width gives enough room for two people to walk side-by-side comfortably.
Safety Gear
Tools
Materials
Now that you have chosen the location of your walkway and you have picked the necessary materials and tools, you need to follow the below simple steps to put it all together.
Step 1: Begin the Foundation
You’ll need a heavy rope, garden hose, or chalk spray paint to create a visual outline of your design. Once you’ve designated your walkway, you can begin to dig the foundation at an even depth of 6 inches. You will then take the landscaping fabric and line the foundation area. This material prevents weeds from growing up once the bricks are in place. At this point, you can use the landscaping spikes to temporarily anchor the fabric down while you spread 3 inches of gravel on top of the fabric. Once the gravel is evenly laid, you can tamp down with the hand tamper or plate compactor. Sand then gets placed on top of the gravel, leaving enough inches of space for the bricks you selected.
Step 2: Install the Edging
After the foundation is level, you will want to edge the walkway with some plastic edging to keep it stable. To start this process, we recommend you lay a row of bricks across one end of the walkway. Make sure you lay each brick closely next to the other. You can then use those landscaping spikes again to secure the edging every three feet.
Step 3: Lay the Bricks
Now that you have a clean edge to work with, you can build off of the first row you have created. Of course, this is where your personalization comes to life, as you can lay the bricks in a herringbone, running bond or basket weave pattern. If your design requires the bricks to be cut, you could use the brick saw, chisel or hammer to resize as needed. When trying to get your brick into place, a rubber mallet and straightedge will come in handy. Lastly, make sure to use your leveler tool so you can ensure your bricks are flush and level.
Step 4: Add Masonry Sand
This step is how all your work gets bonded. Masonry sand acts as a bonding agent once water is added to it. While the area is dry, take masonry sand and pour a thin layer over the walkway. You will take the push broom and sweep the sand into the cracks between the bricks. Once you feel all the cracks are sufficiently filled, you should gently spray water over the walkway so it can be set in joints. Once your walkway is dry, you can cover the plastic edge with grass, mulch or stones.
Have additional brick questions or would like to stop by and pick up your supplies today? Our Orlando masonry experts at 10500 Rocket Court in Orlando, Florida walk you through the multitude of brick options for your walkway project. Looking for more information before the taking the drive, give us a quick call at 407-845-9042 or send us a quick message online.
407.859.1300
10500 Rocket Court - Orlando, FL 32824
