Types of country paths. How to make gravel paths - we make bulk garden paths from gravel in the yard and in the country. Round log path

Neat paths gracefully winding between green spaces and landscape decor are an essential attribute of any garden. So, if you want your site to be truly well-groomed and complete, by no means neglect the paths. Fortunately, for their arrangement you do not need to spend fabulous sums and involve professional designers - you can make beautiful paths with your own hands, seriously saving both on materials and on work. How? There are many answers to this question, because there are a huge number of types of garden paths that can be laid at low cost. Next, we offer you instructions for the most popular options with accompanying photos and videos - after reading them, you will definitely be able to effectively ennoble your site.

The original path from saw cuts of wood

Wooden round logs are a very simple, but original material for garden paths. Raw materials for them can be found at every site - for sure, there are old trees everywhere, which it would be time to replace with new seedlings. It is advisable to use larch or oak - they are the most resistant to external influences, which means they can boast a long service life. The path of saw cuts is made according to the following scheme:

Advice. In order to protect the path from moisture and increase its durability, equip the simplest drainage - pour a layer of fine gravel between the sand cushion and the cuts.

Durable stone paths

One of the most durable garden path options is natural stone. Here you can use cobblestone or but - they are equally durable. The path is laid out as follows:

1. Mark out the garden path.
2. From the area where the path is planned to be laid, remove the top layer of the drain. The depth of this layer should be 7-10 cm more than the height of the largest stone prepared for the path.
3. Fill the resulting trench with a 10 cm layer of sand, carefully level it and compact it.
4. Alternately lay the stones on the sand cushion, pressing them firmly into the base. The distance between small stones should be no more than 2-3 cm, and between large ones - up to 8-10 cm.
5. Carefully fill the remaining gaps with cement mortar. When the track sets, fill the seams with earth or fine sand to make them look more natural.

Stone garden path

Classic concrete paths in the country

Concrete is a traditional material for laying paths, which is always popular due to its low cost and ease of operation. Everyone can definitely make a cast track:

1. Mark the boundaries of the path - drive in pegs along its contour and stretch the wire between them.
2. Within the marked contours, dig a small trench - up to 30 cm deep.
3. Lay on the bottom of the base a layer of gravel 5 cm and the same layer of sand. Seal the resulting pillow.
4. Cover the base with a chain-link or any other thin metal mesh.
5. Install lumber formwork along the perimeter of the future track.
6. Prepare a cement mortar: 1 part dry cement, 1.5 parts sand, 2 parts gravel and 1 part water.
7. Pour the cent and evenly, with vibrating movements, using a spatula, distribute the composition over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe track. During installation, pierce the mixture with a rod to prevent the formation of voids.
8. Using the rule, finish the alignment of the path and cover it with polyethylene.

concrete walkway

In 3-4 days the track will be ready. During this time, remember to gently moisten it with water to protect the concrete from cracking and give it maximum strength.

Advice. To make the path more interesting, even before the concrete mixture finally sets, “drown” various decorative pebbles, glass or shells in it.

Budget garden paths made of tires

Transport tires have long been widely used in summer cottages: they make flower beds, ponds, swings, and now also garden paths. This trend is not surprising, given the performance characteristics of the material: tires are resistant to moisture and temperature extremes, easy to care for, do not slip and are durable. You can equip a garden path from them like this:

Tire garden path

1. With a knife, divide the tires into two parts: rolling tracks and sidewalls. To make the knife easier to enter into the rubber, regularly lubricate it with oil or soap.
2. Cut out the resulting rings of ribbon. Trim them to length and trim the edges.
3. Take wide wooden boards and carefully fasten rubber bands on them with nails so that they completely cover the wood - there should be no empty gaps between the elements.
4. Remove the top layer of soil with a depth of no more than 5 cm along the entire length of the future path and press wooden boards into the base. If desired, the rubber can be painted.

Country paths made of bricks

Another traditional material for garden paths is brick. It is recommended to use clinker products, as they are characterized by high resistance to various kinds of chemical and mechanical influences. It is important that the bricks are intact and without chips, otherwise the path will turn out not only unaesthetic, but also unsafe.

Brick garden path

The track is laid out like this:

1. Mark the path: drive a peg around the perimeter and pull a rope between them.
2. Dig a trench along the marked contour - up to 25-35 cm deep.
3. Along the trench, lay the limiters from the bars or boards.
4. The space between the limiters, that is, the "body" of the track, cover with a 10 cm layer of gravel and carefully compact it. Lay a layer of sand no more than 5 cm high on top.
5. Remove the limiters and make curbs in their place: on both sides of the path, lay one row of bricks in the “on the ribs” position.
6. Form the interior of the path with the bricks: lay them in their usual position, gently tapping with a wooden spatula or rubber mallet so that they sit.

Advice. Bricks do not have to be laid closely - to give the path a more original look, leave small gaps and fill them with pebbles. In addition, you can not even close the gaps - after a while, grass will sprout in them and decorate the path.

Variety of wooden walkways

Wood is one of the most fertile materials for making garden paths, as it can be used in completely different guises. Consider two common options: board paths and bark paths.

Site preparation in both cases looks the same:

• mark the path and remove the top soil - about 20 cm;
• lay geotextiles on the resulting trench;
• top with a 10 cm gravel layer.

Boardwalk

Further technologies diverge. So, if you are making a path from boards, prepare the constituent elements: adjust them in length and width and treat with an antiseptic. If desired, you can give them a sinuous shape. Further along the edges and in the center of the trench along its entire length, install wooden supports and fix them with cement mortar. The final stage is to nail already prepared planks to the supports.

If you want to build a path from the bark, make sure that the material is durable - it should not crumble. Be sure to treat the bark with an antiseptic. Before fixing the material in the trench, lay a sand cushion on its base, and then drown the bark in it.

Tiled garden paths

Although tile cannot be called a very cheap material, it is still used very often for the manufacture of garden paths. There are several reasons for this: aesthetic appearance, good performance and ease of working with the material. The technology of laying a tile track will convince you of the latter:

Now you know many interesting ways to make a garden path with your own hands at low cost. Following simple instructions, you can implement any of the above options on your site, so feel free to get to work and discover new opportunities for ennobling the garden area.

Garden paths in the country: video

DIY garden paths: photo

It's nice when the territory of a country house or cottage is ennobled. To make it convenient to move, you should make paths and paths. At the same time, it is important that they fit into the landscape design, i.e. performed not only practical, but also decorative functions. Here it is important to take into account many points: material, form and style. A do-it-yourself path in the country house can transform several acres of land.

Types of garden paths

Paths and paths at their summer cottage are made of different materials. Almost all known materials used in construction and decoration can be applied. Consider the most popular options.

A natural stone. The main differences are natural beauty and nobility. It is worth noting the high strength, which, of course, is a plus, and the high cost, which cannot but upset. Using this material, it is possible to lay out a curved path, since stone elements arranged in a chaotic manner easily form smooth bends.

Wood. If the landscape design is made in a rustic Provence or country style, then a tree is also suitable for decoration. To preserve the material, it is recommended to use special impregnations and varnishes.

Brick. A common material for the construction of houses and outbuildings. But it is also suitable for the construction of paths in the suburban area. Ordinary brick has an unattractive appearance, so it is better to give preference to special types that look aesthetically pleasing, are not afraid of moisture and low temperatures.

Paving stones and paving slabs. Due to the large assortment and variety of colors of paving slabs, you can lay out the path according to the scheme in order to get a certain pattern or ornament as a result.

A budget option. With proper installation, the path will last a long time. In addition, gravel will look good in the far corner of the garden or near an artificial reservoir.

Concrete. The original concrete path can be made using special forms. They are made of plastic and are sold in hardware stores. You can make them yourself, having previously familiarized yourself with the technology.

Combinations of materials and laying techniques are recommended to achieve a stylistic match of the tracks with the surrounding natural and man-made objects. For example, use stone and colored gravel, wood and pebbles, brick and concrete.

If you want to use color schemes, you should be careful: the selected pattern should harmoniously fit into the created landscape design and match the style.

Features of the location of the paths

After you have decided on the material, you should decide how to arrange the tracks, taking into account the landscape. To make everything look harmonious, you need to take up paper and pencil to draw up a plan and sketches. The computer program for designing landscape design will facilitate the process. There are applications that are designed for designing paths and paths. Hints and tips will help you lay out the correct and convenient route, along which you can quickly get to a certain place. At this stage, the following important points should be considered:

• points determine the main places to which it will be necessary to get, and then they are connected by straight or curved lines;
• in the plan, all available objects should also be marked: a gazebo, a greenhouse, a bathhouse, a vegetable garden, a garden and flower beds;
• it is not necessary to use the same type of paths: solid and stepwise, straight and curved options will be perfectly combined on any site;
• if it rains quite often in the area, then the paths should be planned with a well-thought-out drainage system and water drainage from the edges.

When drawing up a diagram, indicate the varieties of plants and shrubs that are planned to be planted. This approach will allow you to quickly determine the material for arranging the tracks.

Path of cement leaves

Budget options are more popular, which can also be original and attractive, like natural stone. If your garden area has a solid and neatly trimmed green lawn, then you should not divide it with a large number of paths. There is a better option in the form of a kind of small path made of cement leaves. Making it yourself is not difficult.

Decorative concrete tiles are taken as the basis, which in shape can be not only in the form of sheets, but also:

• traces of a person;
• geometric shapes;
• animal silhouettes.

The list of necessary materials and tools is quite simple:

1. Cement mortar (cement, water and sand).
2. Form (for our version, large sheets of burdock are suitable).
3. Container for mixing solution.
4. Rubber gloves (for ease of use).
5. Master OK.

1. In a container in a small amount, according to the instructions, knead the cement mortar. Mix thoroughly to avoid lumps or air bubbles.
2. The finished thick mass is applied to a pre-washed burdock leaf with a small layer of 2–3 cm.
3. Leave the mold to dry, preferably in the sun.
4. After the mixture has fully set, remove the sheet and get a decorative tile.
5. In the process of laying finished tiles, it is necessary to remove the top layer of turf to form a small hole. The sheet will be placed in it. Similar actions are repeated for subsequent elements.

When working, the moment of mixing the cement mortar is very important. The required consistency should be obtained, since a too thick solution will not fit well, and a liquid one will not retain the desired shape.

Walkway made of bricks or paving slabs

A more solid path can be made from a simple brick that remains after construction and is lying around in a barn or garage, occupying the necessary square meters. Regardless of how the landscaping is planned, a brick walkway will be a great addition.

The whole process of work is divided into several stages:

• definition of boundaries and removal of the top layer of the earth;
• preparation of sand and gravel cushion;
• brick laying;
• filling the seams with sand.

The minimum width of a brick track should be 90 cm. The parameter should be calculated based on the size of the brick and the pattern that is planned to be laid out. Pegs are stuck along the edges of the future track and a building cord is pulled. A shallow trench is dug in the resulting space, and the edges are reinforced with boards so that excess soil does not crumble.

A mixture of sand and gravel is poured into the prepared trench, which is then leveled and rammed. After that, everything must be covered with sand, which is also compacted. In this case, the base will be of better quality, and the track will last longer.

Start laying bricks along the boards. Correct the position with a wooden or rubber mallet. To make a border, the extreme rows of bricks are laid on the end. The gap between the edges is filled with bricks according to the chosen pattern. Constantly check the horizontal position of the bricks using a water or ordinary level. At the last stage, all the gaps between the bricks are covered with sand. After the path is watered with water and the operation is repeated.

The path of their wooden cuts

Of course, in terms of durability, wood loses to other materials, since it is afraid of moisture, which means that additional processing and protection will be required. But still, wood saw cuts are also popular. With their help, you can fold a decorative path in a rustic style.

When designing, you should follow a few tips:

1. When choosing a tree, you need to pay attention to the diameter of the trunks, it should be from 10 to 20 cm.
2. You should not discard small branches, as small round ones can perfectly fill the voids between large elements.
3. You can use flat saw cuts or hemp.

The arrangement of the path will not take much time and effort. On the marked area, the top layer of turf is removed or a shallow trench is dug. The earth should not be taken far away, as it will be needed to fill the voids.

For a pillow, a sandy layer 5 cm thick will be enough, which is compacted. Prepared stumps are laid out on the spot, which will allow you to immediately present the final result. The gaps are filled with earth or sand, fine gravel will also go.

When choosing a tree, you can simultaneously solve several problems: the design of the site and getting rid of old sawn trees.

To decide what material to make paths from, walk around the area. Undoubtedly, you will find old bricks, and the remains of cement, and unnecessary trees. Experiment and combine, equipping your site.

A photo

Provides for the creation of tracks. Moreover, the requirements for them are quite serious: they must be reliable, comfortable, functional, beautiful and very desirable - inexpensive. We will talk about how to make garden paths with your own hands at low cost in this article.

What to make tracks

The pavement can be solid or loose. To create a hard coating, the following materials are used:

• Concrete. Concrete walkways are not just ordinary gray tape. In addition, there are dyes and you can decorate it if you wish. There are also molds for pouring immediately on the spot. It turns out homemade paving slabs. Another option is to pour small concrete slabs of the right size on your own, then put them on the bedding. See photos for design examples.

  And everyone in the household has forms for such a path - cut eggplants for water into cylinders, place them as needed and fill with a solution: beautiful and cheap
  And this is a concrete path with expansion joints. If you look closely, you can see that stripes are applied across. This is to ensure that the wet surface is non-slip.

• Flagstone. This is a natural stone that has been sawn into plates. It is laid on a prepared base (more on this later), the gaps are filled with backfill. It turns out beautifully, reliably, non-slip. No wonder landscape designers love flagstone stone paths so much.

  Backfill is one of the important elements that shape the appearance

• Brick. Ordinary ceramic brick is a beautiful material, but not for paths. It absorbs moisture, if then it freezes wet, it is torn apart. If you are going to make a path out of broken bricks, then you can walk along it more or less normally only for a couple of years. Then you have to redo it. The resulting cracks will need to be covered with coarse sand or fine gravel. A clinker brick will serve much longer on the track, but this option cannot be called low-cost: the cost of one piece is from several tens of rubles.

  These are two types of bricks - ceramic and chipped granite. A clinker brick path is beautiful, you can’t say anything .... but maybe too beautiful for a garden?

• Wood. Such a seemingly unsuitable material, but with proper processing, it can last a long time. Moreover, many do-it-yourself wood tracks can be classified as low-cost. For example, they came up with the idea of ​​using stumps and saw cuts of trees as borders or coverings. They also make flooring from well-finished boards - terraced is better, but if not, it will also work from the old floor.

  Combination with pebbles - it's comfortable to walk And this is how to make a path out of boards

• Plastic. There are tiles for garden paths made of plastic - polyethylene or polypropylene. It has a square shape and a system of locks, which is attached to one another. It can be laid directly on top of the lawn or previously trodden in the country or on the paths. This option is fast and cheap. It can definitely be called "With little cost." It is better, of course, to make a filling of crushed stone and sand according to the rules, and lay plastic elements on top. It's a little longer and more expensive. There is also an immodest, but very beautiful version of plastic tiles for paths. There is also a "garden parquet". These are slabs or boards made of wood-polymer composite - WPC (they are in the photo, they look exactly like parquet). This material appeared relatively recently. It looks and feels like wood, but in fact it is a mixture of wood flour and polymer. These are very beautiful coatings, but their cost is by no means modest. Although not fabulous.

  This is garden parquet. Gorgeous, but overpriced

• Pebble. These are rounded natural stones that can be found on the banks of rivers or lakes. Flatter pebbles are more suitable for making tracks. There are different shades of gray, black, white, sometimes you can find burgundy. From these stones, laid close to each other, mosaic paths of amazing beauty are obtained. But this is an occupation for the assiduous and stubborn. Those who lack patience can find large flat boulders or large pebbles and lay them in the sand. It's not as luxurious, but no less reliable. You can also do with granite or other similar stones. It is important that at least one face is relatively flat. You put this flat part up, and bury the rest. The work is not easy, but it will be possible not only to walk along the path, but also to ride.
• Handy materials. Country paths are made from old tires and bottles.

There are also paved paths: these are gravel or crushed stone. Their peculiarity is that with a small layer of 2-3 cm and with sufficient compaction, it is convenient to walk on them. If the layer is slightly larger, unevenness is formed when walking, and such walking is tiring. Therefore, as you have seen in many photographs, gravel and crushed stone are used as backfill, in which rigid elements from other materials are laid. When done correctly, this is convenient: gravel conducts water well and puddles do not form. Those who do not like the gray color can be advised to paint it: many designers do this when organizing rockeries.

How to make garden paths with your own hands

It is not enough to know what you can make garden paths with your own hands. You also need to know how to make them correctly so that it serves more than one season or two. The laying of different materials may vary slightly, but there are several rules and actions that are repeated in any technology.

First rule: when laying or forming a track cover, it is made with a slight slope. If the material allows, a slope of several centimeters is made on both sides of the center. If, for example, a concrete path is poured, then the slope is formed in one direction - from the house, if it is nearby. The slope is made towards the lower part of the site if the path is located on a slope.

Second rule: under any covering preparation of the basis is required. If you lay stones (for example) directly in clay or loam, it will certainly be useful - it will definitely be more convenient to walk, but after some time the stones will “silt up”. Simply trample into the clay. With a backfill, this will take much more time. And if you make another drainage cushion and a side, water drainage will be even more efficient, and everything will look even more beautiful.

Third rule: the level of coverage of the track should be a couple of centimeters higher than the adjacent area. Then the water will quickly drain, it will be more convenient to clean, and cleaning will be required less often: the washed-out earth will not flow either during rains or during irrigation, which are often done along the paths.

Step-by-step instruction

When making garden paths with your own hands, start with markings. In theory, the dimensions and shape should be marked on the site plan, and the markup should take place according to the project. But more often than not, everything is done on the spot. To see the future path more clearly, its contours can first be covered with white sand or something similar. If the shape suits you, you can drive in the pegs and pull the twine between them, but you can also work on backfilling.

Along a beautiful path, you can place a flower garden or flower bed. How to do them, read.

Beautiful do-it-yourself pebble path

If with flagstone, paving stones, brick, everything is more or less clear - everyone has already seen more than once how this is done, then it is not clear how to lay pebbles in patterns.

Below is a photo report on the process of making a pebble track. The main techniques are visible on it: lines are applied to the leveled sand, along which pebbles will be laid out. If these are arcs, they are made with a thread and two sticks / nails.

Picking up stones, they are laid out on the edge close to each other, slightly sunk into the sand.

A board is laid on a folded pattern, a rubber mallet is taken and they knock on the board, hammering the pebbles into the sand. So the whole drawing is deepened, making sure that the edges of the pebbles are at the same height.

Stones are "drowned" in the sand

They take a mixture of sand and cement (sand 2 parts, cement 1 part) and fill in the gaps, leveling the layer with a brush.

A fragment of a pebble path is carefully poured with water so that the backfill does not blur. Wait a few hours until the cement sets a little, then remove the excess with a soft brush.

It is important not to miss the moment: the mortar should not get dirty, but also become a stone. If you pick it with your finger, it should crumble. It's time to clean up the excess.

Path of wooden stumps and gravel: video

Old logs or trees can be turned into a beautiful walkway. They are sawn into logs of the required length, the front saw cut is polished, all wood is first treated with a bioprotection composition (it can be soaked with used oil). After drying, they are dipped in Kuzbass varnish and dried again. Then the front parts of the stumps are covered with paint of the desired color - which will protrude outward. Once again dried and only then put in the sand.

The process is detailed in the video. Here it is explained step by step how to make garden paths from stumps or logs with your own hands.

Making your own concrete driveway

The process is generally similar to the one described at the beginning. There are some differences that we'll talk about.

After the trench is dug and the bottom is leveled, formwork is installed along it on both sides. These are boards from 25 mm thick (thicker is possible, thinner is undesirable, plywood 16-18 mm thick can be used). Their height is the height of the track. If you are molding a slope, the boards should be set taking it into account - one side is slightly higher, the other is slightly lower.

The formwork is set to the level - concrete will be leveled on it

To make formwork, pegs are driven into the ground in increments of no more than 60 cm. Boards are nailed to them. It is better to smear the inner surface of the formwork with working off or other oil: so that it can be easily removed. Further, crushed stone is poured onto the bottom and rammed. But it is necessary to ram carefully: if you walk along the bottom, no traces should be visible.

Further, in order for the path not to crack, a metal reinforcing mesh is laid on the rubble. The thickness of the bar is 4-6 mm, the step is 5-10 cm. It is sold in pieces, they must be connected to each other with steel wire.

Then, to compensate for the expansion in the winter, you need to put wooden planks 1.5-2 cm thick. They are placed across the path, set so that the height of the planks is flush with the formwork boards. Compensation strips are set at least every 2 meters. More often you can, less often you can't. Why do it more often? For beauty. Squares look better than long rectangles.

A concrete solution of a grade not lower than M-250 () is poured into the finished frame. For him, take 1 part of cement, 3 parts of sand, 4 - crushed stone. Everything is mixed into a solution of medium fluidity (thick sour cream) and poured into the formwork. When pouring, make sure that there are no air bubbles left. To remove them, the solution is pierced with a pin, slightly shaking it - bayonet. Ideally, if there is a surface vibator for concrete - it quickly compacts the solution, creating a perfectly flat surface. If it is not there, you will have to level with the rule, using the edges of the formwork as beacons.

A few hours later, after the concrete has set, the surface can be treated. You can leave it as it is, you can brush it with a stiff brush, making transverse strips, you can finally put pebbles, stones, flagstone, etc. into a not completely hardened solution. It's not very economical, but reliable. After a couple of days, the formwork can be removed, and you can already walk along the path.

Tire track on a budget

What they just don’t make from tires: swings, and ... tracks. It's simple: you need to cut off the sidewalls of the old tire, leaving only the tread. What can be cut? Bulgarian. Someone manages with a knife, but this is only if the cord is not metal.

The projector is cut across to make a track. Then cuts of 15 centimeters are made on the sides - it depends on the diameter of the tire. They will make it possible to deploy the rubber.

Make incisions on the curved edges - the surface is still non-linear

In this form, it can already be laid on the beds. Will serve for many years. This one is like garden paths at low cost.

This coating will withstand many years of active use.

As you understand, there are a lot of options for how to make garden paths with your own hands. It is impossible to tell and describe about everyone, but we try ...

And so, when you have already built a house and carried out all underground communications, only then you can begin landscape work. The arrangement of garden paths is one of the stages of landscape work.

You, as the owner (or hostess) of the house, must decide for yourself what appearance the courtyard of your house will have. This is important because the landscape, created by the owners themselves, expresses their individuality and emphasizes their lifestyle.

Creating garden paths is already the finishing stage in construction. Garden paths create harmony between the house and the yard, and also help to veil the existing flaws in the architectural project. All this can be achieved due to the successful choice of the direction of the tracks and the type of material for their coating.

Factors to consider when creating garden paths.

The first is the relief of the site being developed, as well as the presence of plantings (trees, shrubs, etc.).

For example, if you want to arrange a path among the pines, then it would be advisable to use materials from natural stone or tree bark for its construction. These materials will allow you to achieve a harmonious combination of the path with nature. And if you want to equip a path on a relief plot of land, then you need to use combined materials, for example, natural stone and bulk materials.

Secondly, this is the architecture of the house and the existing courtyard buildings.

For example, if your house has a plinth and it is lined with natural (artificial) stone, then it would be advisable to choose the same material for the garden path. And if your house is lined with siding or ceramic bricks, then in this case, the paths made of concrete tiles will harmoniously look against the background of your house.

Thirdly, this is the purpose of the tracks, that is, what loads the track will experience.

For example, if you are going to use your path only as a pedestrian path, then the material for such a path can be any (concrete paving slabs, crushed stone, etc.). And if the surface of the track will be affected by more than the weight of a person (car), then for the construction of such a track it is better to use such materials: asphalt, concrete, paving stones. Particular attention, when choosing a track material, should be paid to the thickness and strength of the material itself.

I will give such an example, if you decide to make a concrete path, then:

• for a footpath, the thickness of the concrete layer must be at least fifty millimeters;
• for the track along which loaded wheelbarrows will move, the thickness of the concrete layer must be at least eighty millimeters.

Fourth, these are the features of the soil and climatic conditions in your area.

For example, if the construction of the path is planned on moving ground, then in this case bulk materials (crushed stone, screenings, gravel, etc.) will be the best choice. Also on moving ground, you can use the technology of constructing a track made of monolithic concrete with reinforcing strapping. Reinforcing strapping will keep the surface of the track from cracking during seasonal ground movements. It is not recommended to build paths on moving ground using piece materials. This is due to the fact that during seasonal ground movements, as a result of uneven subsidence of piece material (paving slabs and other materials), the surface of the garden path will become uneven and the coating will need to be repaired.

Fifth, cash costs.

After choosing the material for garden paths, you need to calculate the total area of ​​​​all paths, find out the price of the material and make a preliminary calculation of the cost of materials. This will help you decide on the amount that will need to be spent on the purchase of one or another material for the construction of paths.

Where to start the track device?

The first thing to do is to decide on the direction and location of the path on the plot of land, both one path and several paths. Next, you need to measure the entire length and width of the tracks. And finally, it is necessary to calculate the area of ​​all tracks.

I'll give you an example:

• the length of all the tracks together was fifty meters;
• the width of all tracks is the same and equal to eighty centimeters;
• the area will be equal to 50x0.8 = 40 sq.m.

Tracking technologies.

There are four types of track technology.

1) Hard tracks.

These paths are covered with cast-in-situ concrete or with individual large pavement elements (reinforced concrete paving slabs).

2) Soft tracks.

These paths are covered with loose materials (gravel, screenings, crushed stone, tree bark)

3) Special tracks.

These paths are covered with decorative concrete.

4) Combined tracks.

These paths are covered with paving slabs and loose materials.

Pavement materials.

There are four main groups of materials for covering garden paths.

1) Natural materials (stone).

In this form, the following materials are used: granite, marble, basalt, limestone, sandstone.

The advantages of natural stone are its durability (two hundred and fifty years and this is not the limit) and the variety of textures and shapes. This makes it possible to use it when arranging paths, both in large areas (gardens or yards) and in small areas.

The disadvantages of natural stone are the cost of the material (in comparison with other types of materials) and safety when driving along such a path. For example, a marble path looks great, but in winter, when the surface of the path is covered with thin ice, it becomes dangerous to move on such a surface, it turns out to be a small skating rink. There is a solution to this problem. Such paths, experts recommend supplementing with heating, like a "warm floor".

2) Artificial materials.

The group of artificial materials includes: concrete, asphalt, rubble stone, paving slabs.

The advantages of artificial materials are as follows:

• resistance to UFL and aggressive environment;
• the practicality of such materials, they have a high degree of surface wear resistance and resistance to mechanical damage;
• a wide variety of shapes is possible, which is very useful when implementing various design solutions when designing tracks.

Disadvantages of artificial materials:

• in the case of poor-quality manufacture of such materials, their service life is greatly reduced (rapid surface wear, cracks, resistance to mechanical damage decreases);
• during the interseasonal movement of the soil, the surface of the material may crack (asphalt pavement, monolithic concrete) or give uneven settlement of piece materials (paving slabs), this all makes the surface of the tracks not convenient for movement and requires surface repair.

3) Bulk materials.

The group of bulk materials includes: gravel, pebbles, crushed stone, sand, screenings.

The advantages of such materials are:

• low cost of the material (in comparison with natural stone and artificial materials);
• small time costs for the device tracks;
• there is no need to specially create a slope for the tracks (moisture passes through the surface of the track and does not accumulate on its surface).

As a result of the above advantages, the construction of tracks from bulk materials is a time saving and, as a result, material resources.

Unlike stone paths or paving slabs, which must be laid on a specially prepared gravel and sand substrate, bulk materials for paths do not require special preparation and the material used (gravel, crushed stone) can be laid immediately on the ground surface.

Disadvantages:

• some difficulties may arise when cleaning the path from debris, snow, sprouted grass;
• it is difficult to roll a baby carriage or all kinds of wheelbarrows and carts along the paths made of bulk materials;
• there is a need to equip the tracks with curbs so that the bulk material does not crumble outside the tracks;
• it is necessary to carefully select crushed stone, gravel or pebbles so that they are not large in size, otherwise the shrinkage density of the material will be insufficient and it will become inconvenient to move along such a path.

4) Tree.

Here such options are possible - boards, sawdust, bark, logs.

When arranging paths from sawdust or bark, you must do the following:

• remove the top layer of soil (about twenty-five centimeters);
• make drainage, namely, pour a layer of crushed stone or gravel (ten centimeters thick) into the finished recess and tamp;
• install curbs along the edges of the track, they will prevent sawdust or bark from spilling over the edges of the track, while the curb must be at least twenty centimeters high (if the track is fifteen centimeters thick);
• pour sawdust or bark on the drainage and tamp.

Advantages of wood materials:

• these materials will give comfort to your yard, bringing you closer to nature;
• simplicity and ease of creating a track.

Disadvantages:

• while walking along the path, the central part of the path will sag, so you need to add additional sawdust or bark to the sagging place of the path;
• boards need special treatment with antiseptics, and even then their service life is fifteen years;
• the boards are very hygroscopic, and subsequently, this can create inconvenience when moving along the track;
• sawdust and tree bark, designed exclusively for light loads, when walking along these paths, it is best to have shoes with a solid sole (without heels);
• obligatory presence of curbs along the edges of the tracks is required.

Now I will tell you how I made the tracks in my yard.

For the arrangement of the tracks, I decided to use granite paving stones. You ask "Why exactly granite paving stones?" I answer because this material has a lot of advantages:

• very high wear resistance and strength;
• durability;
• resistance to any frost;
• water does not accumulate on such a path (leaves through the seams);
• the material is resistant to mechanical damage.

This material has only one drawback, and that is its price. The area of ​​all my tracks was forty square meters. Considering the rather high price of the material and the area of ​​​​the tracks, this pleasure turned into a round figure for me. But as they say, a miser pays twice! Or another saying - the end justifies the means! And it is right. I can say that I did not regret the money spent on high-quality material, because all the advantages of this material justify the costs.

Path plan.

First step. Preparatory work.

First of all, I drew up a plan of my site. On the plan, I noted the boundaries of the site, the gate, the gate, the house, other buildings, vegetation (trees, shrubs). After that, I drew paths, platforms, terraces.

Further, I made a breakdown of the tracks on the site in accordance with the plan. The breakdown was carried out with the help of pegs and twine. In the future, during construction work, the strings can be removed (so as not to interfere), having previously sprinkled sand along the breakdown lines.

Then, according to the marking of the paths, he removed the top layer of fertile soil and dug a trench, deepening thirty centimeters. The fertile layer of the earth can be used in other places of the garden plot (flower beds, beds, etc.)

I evenly poured a layer of rubble into the trench (you can use gravel or broken brick) and rammed it. For tamping, I used a piece of log with handles attached to it. The thickness of the layer is approximately twenty centimeters. I did not make a slope, because the layer of rubble performs the function of drainage well. In this embodiment, moisture does not linger and goes into the ground.

A layer of sand was laid on top of the gravel layer. The thickness of the sand layer was five centimeters. Again, he tamped, pouring water and leveling, so that the surface became horizontal.

To create a sandy “bed”, to cover the path, I put two guide bars along the edges (their thickness is from three to five centimeters) and poured sand between them, leveling it with a rule-rail (its height is four centimeters from the surface of the guide bar).

At this preparatory stage ends and we move on to the next stage.

Second step. Stone laying.

I started laying the paving stones from one corner of the path. In order for the seams between the elements of the paving stones to be the same, wooden spacers (ten millimeters thick) were temporarily inserted between the tiles. To level the surface of the track, I used a small sledgehammer. Many people use heavy rubber hammers.

After completing the laying of the coating of all the tracks, the protruding elements were leveled with a wooden rammer. If the tile "failed", then he pulled it out and poured sand under it, followed by installation in place. The seams between the elements of the coating were carefully covered with sand (after removing the gasket). Watered the paths with water and removed the remaining sand.

In my case, I did not install curbs.

The trimming of the plates was carried out in this way:

• along the edges of the path left a gap between the stone and the edge of the recess (approximately three centimeters wide);
• the gap was covered with screenings and rammed.

It's very important to remember! Particular attention should be paid to the arrangement of the sandy "bed". Sand must be carefully compacted and watered.

After the water has been absorbed, it is necessary to pour another layer of sand and pour water again. This procedure must be carried out so that the sand effectively fills all the voids between the lining material (drainage). If the sand completely fills the voids and is well compacted, then during operation there will be no subsidence of the paving elements.

You ask "why without borders?"

Because this is not necessary, since, with the correct laying of paving stones, it is securely held in the pavement due to the walls of the trench and the depth of laying. This preserves the contours of the track without the need for borders. In addition, it saves money, which is important. I calculated the width of the track in such a way that when arranging it, I did not have to cut the casting to the required size.

All work is completed, the tracks are ready. This work is not very difficult, but requires attention and patience. Do not rush when laying the track. Each stage needs to be thought through, then the work will be done with high quality and the track will serve for decades, with little or no repair.

Pavement repair.

If the paving stones still sank, and the surface of the path became uneven, then it is necessary to carry out repair work. You take out the elements of the paving stone in those places where it sank, and add sand, compact it well, pour it with water. Adjust the thickness of the layer of sand to be added to the required value, until the paving element being installed is in the same plane with the horizontal surface of the track. Set the paving elements in place, level them with a rammer and fill the gaps between the paving elements with sand.

Tips for caring for paving stones.

If vegetation (weeds, moss) has appeared between the elements of the paving stones, then it is not necessary to use chemical preparations to combat them. You just need to pull out the weeds. Although, it can be noted that the paving stones framed by the greenery of moss look very good! It is not necessary to wash the paths using a high pressure washer, because the seams between the elements of the paving stones can be blurred and this will adversely affect its strength. When cleaning the paths, you just need to sweep them with a broom and pour water from a watering can.

Device garden paths on the site | Near the househttp://website/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/device-garden-paths-400x300.jpghttp://website/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/device-garden-paths-400x300-150x150.jpg 2019-01-04T20:18:41+03:00 Near the house Tracks paths, garden pathsAnd so, when you have already built a house and carried out all underground communications, only then you can begin landscape work. The arrangement of garden paths is one of the stages of landscape work. You, as the owner (or hostess) of the house, must decide for yourself what appearance the courtyard of your house will have. This is important because the landscape created...Near the house [email protected] Administrator Near Home

Hello dear gardeners! How do you feel? I dare to suggest that the majority already have itchy hands, I want to go out into the garden as soon as possible, right?)) Nothing, soon, winter has resigned its powers!

Comfort in the suburban area is an important matter. On earth we not only work, but also rest. And they can decorate any area. But above all, it is a matter of cleanliness and safety (who has never fallen, slipping on muddy ground, does not know what I'm talking about)). So today I want to tell you about 9 popular garden path materials as well as their advantages and disadvantages. If I miss something, write in the comments.

Comfort in the countryside-important matter

Preparatory work

It is not at all necessary to be a landscape designer or builder in order to build beautiful, durable and safe paths on your site. A little information, effort and imagination - and the "dream track" is ready. The only thing I advise you before starting work mark tracks, planning their location so that it is convenient to get to any point of the site.

Tracks can be straight or curvy. Designers know what a winding path is capable of. But most gardeners prefer not to philosophize slyly and make a straight line.

Pay special attention soil preparation. After marking the paths (and this is easiest to do with a cord and pegs), remove the sod with a shovel.

In fact, you need to dig a small trench, the height of which depends on the height of the sand cushion. Yes, in most cases sand will be required, which must not only be poured, but straighten and flatten. For greater reliability, the bottom of the trench must be covered with gravel or.

Garden path materials

When choosing a material, consider relief and design site. Well, if in your garden there is no place for designer "things", come first from the operational properties of the material which I will discuss below.

1. Natural stone

A colorful and noble material that will fit well into any landscape style. But in our gardens, it is not so common. Which one can be used for a garden path? The most different. From expensive breeds - basalt, granite, porphyry and marble. More affordable - sandstone and limestone. All of them differ in color (gray, dark red, greenish-gray, black), surface, processing.

Can be put to work raw stone collected in a mountainous area. Can you take sawn a rock, which itself is already practically a tile. Stone slabs are much easier to lay, but they are more expensive.

From other breeds are used diabase, gabbro, all kinds of pebbles, tuff, shale and dolomite.

Advantages natural stone:

• durability: it will literally serve for centuries;
• environmental friendliness;
• the beauty.

Disadvantages of natural stone:

• heavy weight (it is physically difficult to make such a track);
• high cost, even if you take a simple limestone.
• icing. Alas, on most rocks during the cold season, an ice crust forms, and therefore it is not safe to walk along such a path. There is salvation, but not everyone will decide on it. This is the installation of a heating system directly under the track)). Seriously, they do it too.

What you need to know:

• porous stones e.g. limestone and tuff, absorb moisture, and therefore it is advisable to treat them with a water-repellent solution every 3 years.

• When laying natural stone, remember that at least one side must be flat. The trench needs to be deep enough so that the stone fits well and the path is smooth. At the same time, it is desirable to fill half the height of the trench with crushed stone. And already on the compacted rubble pour sand and lay stones. And do not forget to buy a rubber mallet for laying the stone. However, if the stone is hard, you can get by with a hammer.

2. Wood in many different forms

The material is also colorful, but, unfortunately, not as durable as stone. If you do not want to change the garden path every 3-4 seasons, think about treating the path with antiseptic and water-repellent compounds right away. I think the one that is used to process the bath is quite suitable.

Wooden garden paths are very different:

• from boards(as bridges - the simplest and most familiar option);
• from special wooden tiles;
• from wooden saw cuts. By the way, very interesting idea. It looks amazing, especially if you use saw cuts of different sizes and arrange them beautifully.

What breeds are best for a garden path? Of course, oak. True, it won't be cheap. Oaks are generally valued on the farm. I know old houses that still stand on oak pillars. also does not rot for a long time. Well, if there are none, take any wood you can find). You can even cut garden trees.

Advantages of wood:

• environmental friendliness;
• the beauty;
• decision variability. You can think of anything, there would be a fantasy;
• fast drying. Wood is a very warm material, so it quickly thaws in spring and becomes a favorite place for cat sunbathing =))

Disadvantages of a wooden garden path:

• short service life (if it is not oak, larch and similar species).

What you need to know:

• Before laying the same saw cuts, they can be process with drying oil brought to a boil. After drying, this treatment should be repeated again.
• On a sand cushion, some advise putting polyethylene film y. The wood will not come into contact with the ground and, as a result, will rot less. On the other hand, there is a high probability that moisture will accumulate there. To avoid this, the ground under the future path needs to be formed in the form of a sloping arch. Then the water will definitely not accumulate.
• The voids between the saws can be covered with wood chips, sand, crushed stone or gravel. To your taste. If you fill it with sand, over time, grass will break through there and it will be very beautiful.
• When nailing walkways, leave a small gap between the boards. Firstly, the wood will be "distributed" from moisture, and secondly, water will go into the cracks.

3. Special materials for road surfaces

These include processed stone, asphalt, in the end - that is, all those materials that are traditionally used in the construction of roads and sidewalks.

The advantages of such materials:

• ease of installation;
• the beauty;
• strength: they are not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, withstand loads.

Disadvantages:

• high cost (for example, paving stones cost an average of 400 rubles per sq.m.) If the plot is large, such a garden path can cost a pretty penny.
• it is inconvenient to walk on stilettos on the paving stones (so, just in case)).

What you need to know:

• Garden paths made of such materials have a finished look. only with curbs. Although, if you lay them flush with the ground, you can do without borders.
• Important make sure the tiles fit together and constantly check the level, otherwise there is a chance to get a skewed track.
• If you notice any marriage (for example, a crack), do not use such a tile, because in the future it will quickly become unusable.

4. Brick as an alternative to paving stones

quite often used for arranging garden paths. You can combine bricks of different colors, create ornaments, lay them both flat and on edge.

Advantages of a brick garden path:

• the beauty;
• strength;
• long service life.

Disadvantages:

• high cost (1 clinker brick costs an average of 30-40 rubles)

What is important to know:

• Brick garden path is better to lay for solution. It is also possible on the sand, but there is a possibility that one day the bricks will simply disperse.
• Bricks for curbs in any case should be placed on the mortar.
• On the sides of the path, at the junction with the lawn, you can drive in a board. It will additionally keep the track from “scattering”. This technique is applicable to the construction of any garden path.
• Not every brick is suitable, but only clinker. It is more expensive, but stronger than construction. Construction will quickly crumble.

5. Concrete

Actually, why not?

Advantages of a concrete garden path:

• strength and durability;
• resistance to humidity and temperature changes;
• the possibility of subsequent laying tiles or stone on a concrete base.

What you need to know:

• The more cement in the solution, the stronger the track. Optimal ratio: 1:2:3 (cement, sand and gravel, respectively).
• formwork from boards around the edges obligatory. Otherwise, the solution will spread.
• There is an interesting solution for decorating a concrete walkway: while the concrete has not hardened, chop multi-colored glass and press large glass into the surface. It can turn out to be a very pretty ornament. In the same way, you can use pebbles, small pebbles.

6. Gravel

Excellent material for creating winding paths. You don't need to calibrate or align anything. It is enough to pour and tamp. This so-called bulk track. also, by the way, it is different. You can use expanded clay gravel or any other, stone chips, crushed stone, etc.

Gravel Benefits:

• cheapness ("Kamaz" gravel costs about 1.5 thousand rubles). Correction: the price depends on the region, type of gravel, fraction, tonnage, in the end ... and depending on who you will buy from)). On average, they ask for 500 to 700 rubles per ton. There are higher prices. But there are also below. Ideally: buy KAMAZ together with neighbors. So that extra gravel does not lie near the house and it is not expensive.
• environmental friendliness;
• ease and speed of installation;
• decorative.

Gravel Disadvantages:

• Does not withstand heavy loads. But it's good enough for walking.
• Gradually overgrows, "grows" into the ground and becomes clogged. Such a path cannot be swept, for example.
• Walking on it is still not very comfortable. Especially at first, when the gravel has not yet been completely compacted.

What you need to know:

• Before gravel, till the soil so that the path does not overgrow with weeds (agrofiber or plastic film is used for the same purpose).
• If not processed, the track will periodically need weeding.
• We'll have to add new gravel.
• Without curbs, such a path will become shapeless. In addition, very soon gravel will roll all over the site (especially if there are children)

7. Plastic

And where only this material is not used! It turns out that in the store you can buy a special plastic tile for the garden path. Any color, shape, etc.