How To Lay a Cobblestone Walkway

Cobblestone walkways add country charm to your garden or lawn.

Walkways can be paved with many different kinds of materials, from rocks, stones, to wood and different kinds of outdoor tiles. One of the most popular and common materials for designing and laying a walkway is cobblestone. Basically, cobblestone is a small paving stone with rounded edges that has been used for paving streets and pathways for centuries.

Things You'll Need

• Wood stakes
• String
• Tape measure
• Gravel
• Sand
• Shovel
• Level
• Trowel
• 2x4
• Rubber mullet
• Broom or brush
• Cobblestone sealant

Instructions

1. Plan and design your walkway by placing wooden stakes into the ground and making an outline with a string tied to the stakes. Make sure to measure the whole walkway in order to purchase the right amount of cobblestone and other needed materials. Note that with cobblestone you can make both a straight, minimalistic and simple walkway and a curved, interesting and twisted one as well.

2. Prepare the ground inside the stakes and the string for the installment of the cobblestone walkway. Clear the whole area of rocks, weed and roots. Use a shovel to excavate the soil from the entire area to prepare for laying the cobblestone. Note that you will need 2 inches of gravel and sand, respectively, so make sure to excavate 4 inches plus the thickness of the cobblestone if you wish to have a walkway exactly at the level of the surrounding ground area. However, it is better to have the walkway at least 1 inch above the ground.

3. Check if the area for the walkway is completely level after the excavation process. Also, check the depth of the excavation area as well. Use a level to determine that the soil is absolutely horizontal.

4. Place a layer of fine gravel on the entire area of your walkway. Use a fine, quality gravel in order to get the best results. After pouring the gravel, check if the whole layer is 2 inches thick and use a wide trowel or a shovel to make the layer more compact. This will eliminate any air pockets and compress the gravel together. Remember that the ultimate thickness of the gravel layer depends on the drainage: if you want a more efficient drainage system, make the layer up to 4 or 5 inches thick.

5. Pour a layer of fine, quality sand over the foundation made of gravel. Pat the sand down with a trowel or shovel and check if it is 2 inches thick and level.

6. Start laying cobblestones from one corner or end of your walkway. Place the bigger elements first and then fill the empty spaces with smaller ones. Make sure that each cobblestone is level and positioned firmly on the sand surface. Follow the particular pattern and design you chose.

7. Secure each of the cobblestones in its place by taping it down slightly with a rubber mullet. Be careful not to damage the cobblestones. Also, use a long 2x4 and a level to determine not only that each cobblestone is horizontal but also that the whole walkway is even and level.

8. Fill the empty spaces between the cobblestones with sand, using a thick broom or brush to sweep it in the seams. Note that this is best done with absolutely dry and clean sand. Only after you have filled all the cracks, wet the whole walkway thoroughly, soaking the sand and letting it compress and settle. After the drying, add more sand if needed and repeat the soaking process.

9. Apply a cobblestone sealant in order to seal the surface and enhance its strength and durability. This sealant not only closes the immediate surface; they also prevent unwanted plant and weed growth and hold the sand together.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different patterns, disposition and arrangement when laying the cobblestone.

• Place readymade cobblestone edges on the border of your walkway to complete the look.

• Always wear protective working gloves when lifting and arranging cobblestones for your walkway.

References

• Historical Bricks: How to Install Brick Pavers