Concrete Pavers Guide

A walkway is a very useful thing to have around your house, either in your front, side, or backyards. They can also be of use in a garden. Walkways serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, and one of the most popular kind is the cement walkway. This article will describe the basics that you need to know about the concrete walkway – benefits, disadvantages, design ideas, and cost.

NOTE: “Cement walkways” is actually a misnomer – the correct term is “concrete walkways.” Cement is just one component of concrete – the other parts are water, sand, and aggregate. However, sometimes concrete and cement are used interchangeably.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Concrete Paving for Walkways

The main functional benefit of the concrete walkway is its strength. Concrete can stand up to even the fiercest environment and foot/vehicular traffic. It can be easily poured and installed within a day, as it requires very little excavation and preparation compared to other materials like concrete pavers. This ease of installation, coupled with the cheap price of the materials involved, makes concrete a cheap option for the budget-conscious homeowner. This is perhaps its most popular benefit, and it’s why many homeowners opt for this material.

Truth be told, however, homeowners with higher budgets usually opt for other materials options for their walkways, such as concrete pavers, as there are a few drawbacks to concrete. First, unless you get colored or stamped concrete, the plain grey can look quite boring, and often doesn’t go well with other hardscape projects and landscaping. In other words, the material is more functional than aesthetic. In addition, concrete can tend to crack, especially if you live in a cold environment that experiences periodic freeze/thaw cycles. This problem is compounded when the cement isn’t well installed. A concrete walkway, in unfortunate circumstances, can crack and chip within the first cold season, though many take at least a few years to show the first signs of problems.

Despite these disadvantages, overall concrete is a great material to use for outdoor applications around your home.

Design and Walkway Ideas

One of the drawbacks, but also benefits, of concrete is that there are few design options at your disposal. For the creative or aesthetically minded individual, this is a drawback, but for someone who wants a plain walkway with no frills, this is a blessing. Simply lay down the dimensions of your walkway, pour it, let it dry, and voila – no fuss, no maintenance. Other options, like concrete pavers, come with a variety of design options that can make coming up with a new walkway plan a chore and a hassle.

You are also limited in the shape of the concrete. While it’s possible to install a curved concrete walkway, it is not easy, as most contractors will simply want to make rigid, straight wood forms that will hold the concrete.

However, you also have some customization options available if you opt for colored or stamped concrete. Granted, concrete stamping and other aesthetic choices will cost more, but you can make your cement look quite unique with these options. In addition, you can get concrete paint or outdoor tile that you can use to spruce up the surface of your new walkway.

Cement Walkway Cost

Luckily, the price for your new concrete walkway will be quite cheap. To get it installed by a contractor, expect to pay around $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot for excavation, grading, and installation of your walkway. This price could be more if your job requires additional work.

Cement Walkway Installation

For the DIY minded homeowner, concrete is also a viable do-it-yourself project. This will significantly lower the cost of the project, as you’ll save money on labor costs and only have to cover the cost of the material (and your time to install the project, of course).

When installing your own cement walkway, make sure to wait for a clear, cloudless day, or at least one without the threat of rain. Water is the enemy to a freshly poured concrete slab, so make sure to cover it if there is threat of rain during the next few days. After pouring, make sure to separate the slab into three foot squares – this will lower the chances of cracking by allowing for ‘expansion’ between the different slabs.

While the DIYer can make his or her own molds and forms out of plywood planks, you can also purchase concrete molds for sale at a variety of establishments as necessary for the project. Don’t forget to add wire mesh, rebar, and concrete sealer to your list, as you may need this when you install your new walkway.