Sidewalks are such a functional part of everyday life that you may not give much thought to the way they enhance a neighborhood’s aesthetic appeal. Sidewalks and walkways help communities function, giving pedestrians a safe place to walk, neighbors an area to stop to chat, and kids a spot to play away from traffic.
Concrete walkways are durable and low-maintenance. Concrete is an environmentally and budget-friendly material, but in the right hands, it can be so much more. The Viking Concrete team has the skills to elevate the look of your concrete walkways to give your home or commercial project more aesthetic appeal without compromising function.
Top 5 Concrete Walkway Ideas
One of the best benefits of concrete is the material’s versatility. It can be customized to complement your home’s architectural style and to make the most of a small or awkward yard.
Our pros are happy to discuss the options that can work for your outdoor space. We’ll help you elevate a simple walkway into a sparkling jewel in your landscape design.
1. Textured Concrete
We use several types of designs and textures to enhance your walkway or sidewalk. Some of the options include stamping and using a broom finish. Stamping is achieved by pressing heavy mats into wet concrete. The stamps can mimic other materials, like cobblestones, to create more organic textures.
Broom finishing uses a specialized kind of broom that’s drawn across a concrete slab before being completely cured. The result is thin, shallow striations that give the walkway an attractive texture while making the surface safer in slippery conditions.
2. Elevated Walkway
Did you know a concrete walkway can be built to look like it’s floating over grass, pebbles, or other materials? An elevated concrete walking path is perfect for a home with modern or industrial appeal.
3. Walkway in Grass
Do you love the classic look of pavers on a grass path but don’t want the hassle of constantly adjusting and leveling heavy pavers? If so, a concrete pathway may be the answer.
Poured concrete slabs don’t shift and cause tripping hazards the way pavers can. You can choose the size (or sizes) of slabs to suit the walkway space and allow grass or other plants to fill in the areas between them.
A concrete walkway in the grass requires little maintenance — only occasional trimming of the greenery. Keep in mind, though, that a lawn mower won’t get the job done. You’ll need the right hand tools or a weed whacker to see the best results.
4. Oversized Walkway
Who says a walkway needs to be small? An oversized walkway makes a strong design statement and is perfect for those awkward spaces at the side of the house.
Oversized paths are also great for walkways you frequently use as service paths. The extra room provides space for wheelbarrows, hand trucks, and other equipment that may be difficult to transport from one part of the yard to another.
5. Colorful Walkway
Dyes, stains, and integral colorants can be used to add a unique element to your concrete sidewalks and walkways. Each type of colorant has pros and cons. Stains are an excellent choice when you want subtle earth tones or are looking to redo an existing concrete walkway.
Integral colorants are added directly into the concrete mix and provide more color variants than stains, but they are only available for new projects. Concrete dyes are used when clients want bright, crisp colors for a graphic look. All colorants are long-lasting and include UV protectants to resist fading.
Choosing Your Style
With so many great options, how do you choose the kind of sidewalk or walkway you want? In some cases, your decision will be automatically limited. Cincinnati’s city regulations stipulate the size and methods you can use for most sidewalks.
If you’re moving into an established neighborhood or a new development, you may not have any input on the construction of sidewalks. However, homeowners are typically responsible for sidewalk maintenance.
Walkways on your own property are another story. As long as they are up to code and properly permitted, you’re only limited by your own creativity and budget.
Start by establishing the primary use. A walkway used frequently by guests needs to be aesthetically pleasing yet still safe in all conditions. No matter how beautiful, a walkway is pointless if it’s not practical or easy to access. If you have friends or family members with special needs, accessibility may be a priority.
The best walkways complement the home's exterior design. If you want your walkways to stand out, consider using color or texture to highlight them instead of choosing a design that is drastically different from the rest of the home’s aesthetic.
Lastly, your budget will dictate many of the decisions you make. The good news is that concrete is an affordable way to create an upscale look.
Let Viking Concrete Help You Find Your Path
The Viking Concrete team is here to help you with every aspect of sidewalk and walkway construction. After assessing your property, we can offer ideas that will improve curb appeal and safety while providing you with unique and beautiful walkways that are no longer an afterthought.
Contact Viking Concrete & Power Washing today to schedule a free consultation and estimate.
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