From which do-it-yourself path in the country. What to make paths in the country house cheap and beautiful? classic concrete walkway

It is difficult to imagine a suburban or suburban area without garden paths. They serve not only for convenient movement between different objects, but also perform a decorative function, emphasizing the style of the territory and dividing it into zones. Those who want to ennoble their site are in for a real delight, because mass of materials for creating garden paths: expensive and affordable, natural and artificial, purchased and improvised, of any shades and textures. Indeed, there is plenty to choose from, but do not forget to take into account not only attractive appearance material, but also his performance.

Each of the numerous possible materials is used in garden areas, since the requirements for paths and their style are different for everyone. If the track will serve for the constant movement of people and goods, then the coating should be as strong, durable and easy to clean as possible. In other cases, you can choose less durable and more decorative materials.

No. 1. A natural stone

Natural stone can be called the most versatile material. It harmoniously fits into any garden plot and can serve as its decoration for many years.

Main advantages:

Flaws:

• heavy weight, which complicates transportation and installation;
• high price.

In addition, on some types of stone (granite, marble) ice crust forms in cold weather, making it difficult to move along the garden path. The only way out of this situation is to arrange it right under the path, but not every summer resident will decide on this.

The type of surface and color of the stone depend on the rock. The material may be rough or smooth to a shine. The color range is wide: from light rocks to dark red and almost black. Any natural stone- an expensive material, but the cost of different breeds is very different. TO the cheapest Materials include sandstone and limestone. Marble, granite, basalt, porphyry are already more expensive materials.

For arranging garden paths, stone can be used in natural raw form(quartzite, slate, sandstone, granite, gneiss) or succumb additional processing to achieve the best operational and decorative qualities (basalt, gabbro, diabase). In its raw form, river and sea pebbles are also often used.

The beautiful natural relief and the roughness of the surface of the stone will decorate the site, but it is important to remember that it should be convenient to move along the path, so it is better to choose a stone that has at least one of the sides is more or less even. Porous rocks, which include tuff and limestone, can accumulate moisture, so once every 2-3 years it is better to treat their surface with water-repellent solutions.

No. 2. Paving slabs and paving stones

One of the most common options for organizing a garden path is still. These two materials are similar in composition, and the difference is only in geometric dimensions: with the same length and width, the pavers will be thicker.

For a garden plot suitable tile with a thickness of 50-60 mm, since there are no special loads on the tracks. Paving slabs can be made from different materials, and For organizing a garden path, the following types are best suited:

• concrete tile. It can be produced by vibrocompression and vibrocasting. The first one turns out to be more durable, but has the simplest forms, it can be used to equip paths along which cars will move. Vibro-cast concrete tiles are distinguished by a wide variety of shapes and are quite a bit inferior to the vibro-pressed counterpart in terms of strength;
  
• clinker pavers It is made from plastic clay, quartz and feldspar, so it is not inferior to natural stone in terms of strength. To obtain a rough non-slip surface, sand is added to the mixture. Paths made of clinker paving stones will be durable and very beautiful;
  
• natural stone tiles- the most expensive and chic option, will complement the spacious suburban area. This is actually the same natural stone, but split into pieces right size, polished and sanded;
  
• polymer sand tiles made from sand and dyes with the addition of polymers. The result is a material that is excellent in performance, but its appearance still betrays the presence of polymers in the composition, therefore, for arranging a site in classical style such a tile is unlikely to fit, but in all other cases it will allow you to get a durable and durable coating paths.
  

Among the main advantages paving slabs durability, frost resistance, strength, resistance to negative atmospheric factors, a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. You can lay tiles in bulk different ways. This explains the wide popularity of the material.

No. 3. Concrete

No. 5. Asphalt

Due to its low aesthetics, asphalt pavement is used for those paths that lead to and are located in inconspicuous parts of the garden plot.

Advantages:

• low cost of opening;
• ease of care;
• high strength and moisture resistance;
• asphalt can be of several shades (except for dark gray, there are green and red).

The main disadvantage is not the most attractive look, but this disadvantage can also be dealt with by rolling pebbles or other pretty pebbles into the asphalt when laying. In summer when the temperature rises environment asphalt can soften and release bad smell . Cracks may appear on the coating, but often this is due to violations during the installation process or when laying took place under inappropriate weather conditions.

No. 6. Wood

Wood is another natural and beautiful material, which can be used to create original garden paths. Wood can be used in the form or saw cuts . The last option will be original decoration plot, especially if you use saw cuts of different diameters and arrange them in a certain order.

Advantages:

Flaws:

• low moisture resistance, high probability of development and fungus;
• low durability and the need for constant care. Not only that, before installation, the wood must be processed antiseptics, and during operation, the material will regularly need to be treated with protective equipment.

To minimize the shortcomings, it is better to choose the strongest and most durable breeds. The best way -. Its wood has moisture-resistant properties, is durable, has a beautiful pattern and a pleasant smell. You can also use oak- the leader in strength, hardness and durability, but it will cost much more. In extreme cases, you can use sawn wood garden trees, but you will have to work hard to process it.

In order for the wooden path to last as long as possible, you need to carefully consider the process of its arrangement. It is recommended to lay a plastic film on the sand cushion, which will reduce the contact of wood with the soil, reducing the risk of rot. It is better to leave small gaps between saw cuts or boards: firstly, all the water will go into them, secondly, they are needed in case the wood expands, and thirdly, if you fill the cracks with sand, grass can grow in them, and this path decoration.

No. 7. garden parquet

Garden parquet, often referred to as anti-slip, is a coating that has all the benefits of wood, but due to special processing it is more resistant to negative atmospheric influences. For material production use hard wood which can be further heat treated. The finished material is a square (rarely rectangular) slats, divided into sections. Sections can form a specific pattern.

On the slats of garden parquet are always present ventilation slots, the size of which ranges from 1.5 to 8 mm: the higher the humidity level during operation, the larger the gaps should be. The surface of the material has anti-slip profile, so decking can be used to arrange paths around. Installation involves the use of special supports, the height of which is adjustable, which allows you to smooth out differences in the level of heights on the site. The type of fastening depends on the substrate of the garden package. Rigid parquet has a completely wooden backing, made from the same species as the front. Soft parquet It is distinguished by the presence of a soft lattice plastic substrate with special fasteners, thanks to which such material is mounted very quickly and easily.

Advantages:

• durability. Due to the use of durable wood species and their treatment with special substances (sometimes heat treatment is used), a high service life of the material is achieved (up to 50 years);
• high strength;
• environmental friendliness;
• beautiful appearance, because the color and texture of the wood are preserved;
• the presence of an anti-slip profile;
• resistance to decay and moisture;
• ease of installation and maintenance;
• warm surface and fast drying.

There are not so many cons of the material. For a longer preservation of appearance and performance, garden parquet is better treat twice a year with special oil. If the choice fell on decking made of heat-treated wood, then the material will cost several times more, but it will also last longer.

Can also be used to organize garden paths wood-polymer composite decking. It is made from a mixture of sawdust or wood flour with a polymer binder, to which a dye is added and the material is formed into the desired shape and size. It is less environmentally friendly, but more resistant to external factors material that does not require additional care.

No. 8. Plastic tiles

For the production of plastic tiles, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride is used. The material has, as a rule, a square shape with dimensions of 30 * 30 cm and a lattice structure. Fits due to the presence of special grooves on each element. Some samples are even stuck into the ground, so they can be used to organize temporary tracks.

Main advantages:

• ease of installation;
• resistance to moisture and sunlight;
• frost resistance;
• non-slip surface;
• light weight.

Among the shortcomings of the material low aesthetics and durability. Plastic tiles ideal for organizing walkways near .

No. 9. Ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles

No. 10. Bulk paths made of gravel and tree bark

The easiest way is to equip the path from the bulk coating, which include gravel, stone chips, and tree bark. You don’t have to align and align anything - you just need to pour the material where the track should go. Gravel is laid on the prepared base in several layers, each of which is carefully compacted with a roller or vibrating plate. It will not be superfluous to use under the embankment to exclude the possibility of grass germination.

Advantages:

Flaws:

• low strength. Gravel will not withstand decent loads, but it is suitable for hiking, so the material can be used to equip secondary paths;
• difficulty in care, because gradually the gravel overgrows, becomes clogged, and it is impossible to sweep it;
• at first, until the material is very compacted, it will be difficult to walk on it.

You need to be prepared that over time you will have to add new gravel, and it will be impossible to do without, because they give shape and prevent the material from spreading throughout the site. So that grass does not grow through the gravel, the soil under it can be treated with herbicides or the soil can be covered with agrofiber.

Alternatively, you can use expanded clay gravel- an environmentally friendly material obtained as a result of the processing of clay rocks. It is lightweight, has good frost-resistant properties, and is inexpensive.

Bulk paths can be arranged using tree bark. This is a natural and pleasant material for walking, but it will have to be sprinkled periodically, as it is easily blown out by the wind. The same applies to pine nut shells, which have recently also been used in landscape design.

No. 11. tennis

The material of red and yellow shades, used on tennis courts, has recently begun to be used for organizing garden paths. tennis consists of clay, crumbs and lime. After laying, the material absorbs water and swells, forming a dense integral structure; it must be compacted with a vibratory roller.

Main advantages:

• soft and safety surface;
• high strength;
• ease of care;
• ability to absorb moisture;
• environmental friendliness.

Flaw- the formation of dust and cracks during a drought, so in the heat the paths will need to be watered periodically. Sometimes you have to add and re-compact the coating.

No. 12. cobblestones

In the garden, you can create a real pavement from large rounded smooth stones. Such a path will look great, the material is no more difficult to lay than brick, and interesting patterns can be created from cobblestones. The material is characterized by high strength, durability, resistance to temperature extremes, is not afraid of moisture, but is not suitable for arranging driveways. Cobblestones can be combined with pebbles.

No. 13. Grass

The path can even be created from grass, though not ordinary, but resistant to trampling. Such a path will require additional efforts to care for it, but will become a non-standard decoration of the site.

Advantages:

Minuses:

• permanent care;
• Even the most durable coating wears out over time.

It is better to make grass paths wide so that they trample down more slowly. Of course, grass is not a material for the main paths, it is better to use it where the traffic is low.

No. 14. improvised materials

A garden path can be set up at a minimal cost, and sometimes even use unnecessary materials that are usually thrown away as a basis. As a result, original paths are obtained, and their creation turns into an interesting creative process. You can use river pebbles, plastic bottle caps, wine corks and any other materials.

The choice of material for garden paths should be preceded by a planning stage, during which the location of the path, its form and function are determined. Given these factors, as well as climate and relief conditions, we can proceed to the choice of the most suitable material.

Creating garden paths with your own hands at low cost is a subject of tireless care and thought at the beginning of the arrangement of a new site. But it only seems that, once having arranged the transitions between important objects, you can calm down and no longer deal with this problem. Tracks tend to collapse under heavy use. There is also the problem of the impact of natural destructive conditions on them. The decision to make tracks with your own hands at low cost, that is, rationally and economically, with a non-professional approach, easily turns into the need to update them through a short time. And the desire to create a truly original design project can lead to the fact that the paths in the garden will require a radical alteration in a year.

Creating garden paths with your own hands at low cost is a subject of tireless care and thought at the beginning of the arrangement of a new site.

The choice of means, materials and methods for creating the final chord of landscape design should be dictated not only and not so much by the low cost and not even the originality of the project, but by the need to create a truly durable and convenient means of transition.

Modern consumer-oriented industry has provided many options for those who, with some means, prefer to work on the site themselves. The use of such things can save time and solve several problems at once:

• lay out beautiful paths in the country (decorative and designed in a certain style);
• allow laying on any surface, hold it with minimal cost time and improvised means;
• simultaneously obtain a durable and aesthetic structure.

In order to be convinced of this, it is enough to visit any hypermarket building materials. Choosing the right material is only a matter of personal preference and the state of his finances. The most popular materials are:

1. Garden parquet (specially treated wood). A rather expensive material that can also be used for terraces, arbors, verandas. It is easy and quick to assemble with special devices and just as easy to disassemble if necessary.
2. Plastic plates. The path of them is equipped easily and quickly; they are made of frost-resistant plastic, do not slip, fit both in length and in width. This coating can be easily and quickly dismantled for the winter, and in the spring to lay paths in any convenient place. Such mounting and dismounting makes it easy to correct errors in calculations when country paths laid in an inconvenient place or trodden unaccounted for moves.
3. Plastic garden parquet. In appearance and resulting visual effects, it resembles wooden parquet, but much cheaper and more resistant to natural influences. The paths from it will last until you want to update them.
4. Finished concrete plates small size. Concrete is a resistant and durable material, and the use of a ready-made form has its undeniable advantages: slabs can be laid without special preparation - directly on compacted dirt paths. True, their appearance will not be very aesthetic, but it is durable and functional.

Modern consumer-driven industry has provided many options for those who, with some means, prefer to work on the site themselves.

When buying ready-made styling products, it is best to consult a specialist who will help you calculate the required amount, give some practical advice. But with the use of such functional modules, in a day or two, the tracks in the country house will be equipped with their own hands.

Gallery: garden paths (25 photos + video)

Difficult and labor intensive

For lovers of thorough and labor-intensive work, associated with measurements, kneading, pouring and waiting for the result, there are tracks for perfectionists.

You can make a path with your own hands from concrete by pouring, from paving slabs, from wooden rounds, from natural stone, from river flat pebbles.

It should be noted that even for a simple concrete pouring you will need:

• formwork;
• shovel;
• improvised concrete mixer;
• cement;
• sand;
• stone chips or gravel;
• covering material until the concrete is in place.

If the calculation of the necessary sand or crumbs is unsuccessful, such a path will begin to crumble over time and require additional refilling.

When buying ready-made styling products, it is best to consult a specialist who will help you calculate the required amount, give some practical advice

For laying paving slabs, you will have to prepare an even more impressive list of tools:

• wooden mallet;
• rubber mallet;
• tiles;
• Master OK;
• cord;
• rake and broom;
• cement, sand and gravel;
• manual rammer;
• level;
• channel;
• hose.

Do-it-yourself path can be made of concrete by pouring

Paths from paving slabs are laid out for a long time and thoroughly:

1. Sod is cut.
2. Layers of sand and cement are poured.
3. Geotextiles are laid for strength.
4. The tile is cut at the end to fill in the places where unformatted pieces of space remain.
5. A curb is laid out to secure the path.

But it's worth it. Everything will be like in the best houses, that is, beautiful, stylish, decorative and fashionable. A few days spent on work will more than pay for itself with the appearance of the site. You won't be ashamed to post a photo. It is quite possible to make such paths in the country with your own hands.

The most difficult and original in choosing how to make a garden path are transitions from round river pebbles and wooden roundels. This is a real challenge for those who like to put thousands of puzzles on long winter evenings or collect ships in a bottle with tweezers. It will take several days to prepare the base, which would reliably withstand and fix such handmade masterpieces. And in order to lay out the paths with small pebbles (and even whimsical patterns), it will take even more time. If you wish, you can have fun with this all summer long, carefully selecting pebbles according to the pattern, format and shades. Only a path made of plastic bottle caps can compete with this, the photo of which was posted by its proud author.

Have to spend long time to collect the required number of covers, but the paths will be no worse than the mosaics in Rome.

Paths in the country from wooden round logs should be made, focusing on sawing material. The only thing to remember before deciding on such a laborious process is to carefully study the technology of wood processing. Just putting wooden rounds on the ground means that you will have to make a new track next year. The earth will sag, the tree will crack, the path will become unusable. Therefore, the process is expected to be long and complicated. These do-it-yourself tracks will be very convenient. Natural stone for paths is very reliable, fashionable and, with a certain skill, also decorative.

With limited means and quickly

The simplest solution is to leave the already trodden dirt paths. This comes with some inconvenience in rainy weather, but is extremely budget-friendly and delightful in its simplicity. A little bit more difficult process- fill curbs from improvised material or wooden slats and fill the space between them with stone chips or gravel. There are many tips on how to make paths in the country without spending much money and effort. For example, you can use waste building materials left after the construction of a country house. This is much cheaper than making a lawn path wide enough for a lawnmower to pass and maintaining it so that the grass grows exceptionally evenly.

Landscaping always makes our life better, but sometimes we can’t afford its cost, therefore, garden paths with our own hands at low cost are just what is very useful in such a situation. It should immediately be clarified that the laying of such alleys can be done with different materials. And for this, it is not always necessary to purchase paving slabs, although this is one of the best options.

We will try to highlight the possible popular options and how to implement them, as well as show you a thematic overview - the video in this article.

Beautiful garden

Basic styling technique

First, the layout

• By and large, do-it-yourself garden paths come down to the same technical parameters, with the exception of amendments to one or another finishing material.. First of all, you will have to visually determine the place where you are going to lay your alley, and then make accurate markings in width. To do this, pegs are driven in along the entire length and a cord is pulled along them - this should fully reproduce future contours, whether it be a straight line, a turn or a zigzag.
• After that, depending on the soil and the presence of turf on it, dig a trench with vertically even edges, the depth of which can be from 10 cm to 30 cm (the removed turf can be used elsewhere). By and large, in such cases, the instruction recommends covering the base with geotextiles to cut off moisture and prevent weeds from growing through finishing coating. But we are still talking about a budget option, therefore, geotextiles can be omitted and use a dense polyethylene film- Wrap its edges on the walls of the moat.
• And last preparatory stage before the installation of the cladding, there will be a backfill of a pillow of sand and crushed stone 5-10 cm thick. Sand is usually poured from below, and crushed stone from above, but you can do without both, using granite screenings for this purpose. Everything - now you can proceed to the outer part.

Purpose

The visiting card of a suburban area can be the main alley that runs to the house from the gate, because this is one of the first elements of landscape design that catches your eye when you visit. Therefore, it determines the first impression.

During installation, it should be borne in mind that this area is the most passable and the load on it will be greater than in the garden. Therefore, wear-resistant materials are needed here - asphalt, concrete or paving slabs - wooden elements are somehow inappropriate under such a load.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the width of the passage - at least 2 people should diverge freely there, which means that the width of the path from the gate to the house cannot be less than 1.5 m.

Secondary garden paths can be called those that serve to communicate between household structures and units, such as a garage, gazebo, barn, bathhouse, chicken coop, well, and the like. The width of such a device can be from 50 cm to a meter - this will be quite enough.

Although, if desired, they can also be made wider, if the area of ​​​​your site allows it. It is possible that on such a surface you will have to transport any goods on a wheelbarrow - in this case, again, the finishing material must be durable - asphalt, concrete, paving slabs.

Between flower beds, trees or for other transitions, they arrange paths in the garden with their own hands of an intermittent type, that is, such that you can walk in rainy weather without getting your feet wet.

As a rule, such paths are narrow from 30 cm to 50 cm from sparsely located tiles or stones - this is quite enough to pass one person. This method of installation makes the coating hardly noticeable against the general background of the landscape, preserving more green spaces.

Types of coatings

The cheapest track is the one on which there is no decorative coating, that is, a path that has been trampled on by feet or wheels of a wheelbarrow, but the ground sags in such places. Therefore, when it rains, puddles will definitely gather there. To avoid them, you can make a drainage system if the level of the site allows it (the presence of a slope), but it is best to fill an additional layer.

As a backfill, you can use sand or screenings (granite, limestone), and so that the embankment does not spread, it is fixed with a curb of stones or mixborders (evergreen flower bed).

Gravel, crushed stone and pebbles will always serve good foundation for backfill. Accordingly, if this material is taken as a base, then such a path will last for a long time, but other elements can be used for decoration here, for example, paving slabs, paving stones or flat stones.

For backfilling, they deepen 10-15 cm into the ground and cover the bottom with geotextiles or a dense plastic film to prevent the germination of various weeds (a sand cushion 20-30 mm high can be poured under crushed stone or pebbles).

Naturally, it is better to make the embankment above the ground level, and so that it does not spread, it is fixed on the sides with a curb or stones. If you decide to decorate crushed stone with tiles (stones, paving stones), then these elements must be inlaid on the same level as bulk material- so you get a homogeneous beautiful canvas.

In addition, such a crushed stone (pebble) base can serve as a pillow for paving slabs, which will be laid without pouring cement-sand mortar (dry).

But tiles (paving stones) cannot be laid on crushed stone, therefore, a sand cushion 20-30 mm high is poured on top of it and they are already mounted on it decorative coating. Sometimes, for decoration purposes, dwarf lawn grass is sown in the gaps that remain between the elements.

The most durable and durable structures are obtained in cases where the formwork for garden paths is mounted with one's own hands and poured with cement-sand mortar or fine-grained concrete. As a coating in such cases, paving slabs, paving stones and decorative rock(artificial or natural) and a border is mounted on the sides, which serves more as an element of decoration than a limiter from spreading.

Recommendation. To fill the base on which paving slabs are laid, a cement-sand mortar is used, to which tile adhesive is added for elasticity. The proportion of glue in this case should be at least 1/2 of the cement, but it is better if the glue and cement are one to one.

materials

If you are thinking about how to make a garden path with your own hands, then the most popular finishing material in such cases will be paving slabs of different sizes and different configurations. Such tiles can be made of concrete or baked clay.

With its help, you can create a wide variety of patterns and ornaments, full of their colors and features of the geometric parameters of each element (in the photo above, the Gzhelka tile ornament). In addition, paving slabs can retain their appearance and operational strength from 5 to 20 years - everything will depend on the current load and the quality of production.

Recommendation. To increase the operational resource, you should choose pastel-colored concrete tiles - this will preserve its appearance. And to prolong the service life, pay attention to the manufacturer's brand and do not use an ice scraper.

Paths made of fine-grained concrete are very good, which are poured into special forms that give the fragments the most diverse look. In addition, decorative cement can be used here, changing the color scheme of the fill to your liking.

Clinker brick not only has high strength - it is very beautiful and looks similar to cobbled pavement. But for garden paths, they use the possibilities of colors, thereby diversifying.

Conclusion

Of course, the price of each material is very different from each other and not everyone is able to lay out large sums for clearance. But when decorating, the main role is played by taste, and not by the cost of the decorative coating.

(18 ratings, average: 4,25 out of 5)

Neatly laid sidewalk paths, gracefully intertwined between green spaces, are an essential attribute in any garden. If you want your summer cottage to be really complete and well-groomed, in no case should you neglect the paths. Fortunately, for their device you do not need to attract professional designers and spend a lot of money, as you can make beautiful paths in the garden with your own hands.

Walkway made of wood

Wooden saw cuts

Wooden round logs are a fairly simple material for garden paths. The raw materials for this can be found in any garden - for sure, old trees grow everywhere, which it is high time to replace with new seedlings. wooden walkways are done in the following way:

• Cut round logs 20-50 cm in diameter and 20-30 cm high from the wood you have. The blanks should be the same.
• Remove the bark from them and dry them in the sun for several days.
• Cover the blanks with antiseptic and primer to protect them from moisture and insects. Leave the rounds to dry for one day.
• Remove the soil along the entire length of the future path to a depth of 4-6 cm. Pour a small sand cushion and compact it well.
• Start laying saw cuts, alternating small and large workpieces so that there are small seams between them.

When choosing wood, it is necessary to proceed from how healthy and durable it is. This will determine how long the path made of saw cuts in the garden will last. It is advisable to give preference to solid types of wood. For example, oak will last about 10 years, pine - no more than 7. Round logs of old trees can be eaten by insects or rotten.

As practice shows, you don’t have to choose much - they use what is at hand. And if it turned out that after some time some saw cuts collapsed more than the rest, then they can always be replaced with new ones.

For the sidewalk, it is advisable to choose dry logs. If the path is not made for a decorative purpose, but in order to walk along it, you do not need to cut the wood into thin rings.

Advantages and disadvantages

Garden paths made of wood have their own advantages:

The main disadvantage is fragility of wood. Over time, it rots, especially in a humid climate or in places where groundwater is high.

Boards

As a material for paths in the garden, you can choose wooden planks. As a rule, such a path is laid in the form of a continuous flooring. This can be done both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction. To make the path winding, the edges of the boards are cut or placed in a special way. Using this approach, you can model different options - for example, a pattern similar to parquet.

If the boards are placed at a certain distance from each other and the space between them is filled with gravel or backfill, then the path will resemble railway rails.

You can make a path from the boards, which are laid out with solid flooring. This design is made raised from the ground by about 15 cm. Thus, the boards will not have contact with the ground, and the air space will allow the wood to dry faster after rain, which greatly contributes to the long-term operation of the material.

It will take a lot of effort and effort to make a garden path out of wooden elements, but in the end could be a real masterpiece.. This path will be an extraordinary and beautiful addition to the design of the garden.

Masonry

One of the most reliable options is natural stone paths. In this case, you can choose a boot or cobblestone - they are equally durable. Laying stone on paths produced in this way:

• Make a marking of the future path.
• From the site where the paving of the path is planned, remove upper layer earth. The depth of the layer is required by 8-12 cm more than the size of the largest stone that is prepared for the path.
• Fill the resulting trench with a layer of sand of 12-15 cm, level it well and carefully compact it.
• Lay the stones alternately on the sand cushion, pressing them tightly into the base. The step between small stones should be no more than 3-4 cm, and between large ones - 7-8 cm.
• Fill in the rest of the space carefully. concrete mortar. When the concrete is dry, backfill the joints with fine sand or earth to make them look more natural.

Advantages of a stone path

Paving stone garden paths makes it possible to save the builder money and makes you feel like a real landscape designer. Moreover, this process is not so complicated and responsible.

The most important thing before you start choose the design of garden paths and decide on the scheme of their paving, highlighting the main sections where these paths will lead. These can be gazebos and outbuildings, flower beds and lawns, children's sandboxes, technical facilities and barbecue areas, and artificial ponds.

As a rule, the width of the paths is chosen so that a garden cart can easily pass. Depending on the type of path, it is constructed with or without a curb. The track can be level with the ground or rise above it. V Everyday life the first option is more convenient, the second is better in terms of cleaning - less sand or earth is applied this way.

The path in the garden can be paved on a concrete or cement base. In addition to natural stone, you can choose paving stones, paving slabs, decking, clinker bricks, composite boards, concrete poured into special forms, artificial stone.

The modern design solution is a geogrid, that is planting small lawn grass between parts of the structure.

pouring concrete

Concrete is a traditional material for construction, which is always popular due to its ease of use and its low cost. Build a cast path anyone can definitely:

• Mark the boundaries of the path, drive in pegs along its contour and pull the rope.
• Dig a small trench within the marked contours. Depth approximately 25 cm.
• At the bottom of the trench, pour a layer of gravel and sand 10 cm. Tamp this pillow.
• Cover the pillow with a "chain-link" or any available metal mesh.
• Build formwork around the perimeter of the path.
• Mix the mortar: 1.5 parts sand, 1 part cement, 1 part water and 2 parts gravel.
• Pour the cement composition and with vibrating movements, evenly, with a spatula, distribute the mixture over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe path. During pouring, pierce the mixture with a rod to release the remaining air.
• Using the rule, make a final alignment and cover the track with a film.
• In 4-5 days the path will be ready. All this time, it is necessary to moisten it slightly with water so that the concrete gains maximum strength and does not crack.

Car tires

Tires from cars have long been widely used in summer cottages: swings, ponds, flower beds are being built from them, and now they are also laying paths. This trend is quite understandable, given the performance of this material: tires are easy to care for, resistant to temperature extremes and moisture, are durable and non-slip. You can make a garden path out of them in this way:

brick paths

Best to apply clinker products because they are highly resistant to various kinds of mechanical and chemical influences. The most important thing is that the bricks should be intact and without chips, otherwise the path will come out not only unattractive, but also unsafe.

Laying the path goes like this:

• Mark the path: drive a peg around the perimeter and stretch the rope.
• Dig a trench along the contour - a depth of 20-30 cm.
• Along this trench, install limiters from boards or bars.
• Pour a 15 cm layer of gravel into the space between the limiters and compact it well. Pour a layer of sand on top of about 6-7 cm.
• Remove the limiters and make curbs instead: on both sides of the path, lay a row of bricks set "on edge".
• Form with bricks inner space paths: laying takes place in the usual position with the help of gentle tapping with a rubber mallet or wooden spatula.

Recommendation: bricks do not have to be laid out close - to give the path originality, you can leave small gaps and fill them with pebbles. In addition, the seams can not even fall asleep - through certain time grass will grow here and decorate your path.

paving slabs

Although tile can hardly be called a very cheap material, it is still used quite often for the construction of garden paths. There are several reasons for this: ease of work with the material, excellent performance and aesthetic appearance. But the most important thing is the ease of installation.

• Mark the boundaries of the future track with stakes and rope.

The track is required element any suburban or suburban area, which, in addition to practical benefits, can also deliver Aesthetic pleasure. Observing simple instructions, you can implement any of the options described above on your site, so feel free to start working, discovering new opportunities for improving your backyard.

It's nice when the territory country house or cottages 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 to suburban area are made from 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 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.

Tree. If landscape design made in rustic style Provence or country, 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 special types, which 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. At correct styling the path will last long term. 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 desired, 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 often enough in the area, then the paths should be planned with thoughtful drainage system and drainage of water 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

Are more popular budget options, which can also be as original and attractive as natural stone. If your garden area has a continuous and neatly trimmed green lawn, then divide it large quantity tracks are not worth it. There is the best way in the form of a kind of small path of cement leaves. Making it yourself is not difficult.

Based on decorative concrete tiles, which in form can be not only in the form of sheets, but also:

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

List necessary materials and the tools are quite simple:

1. Cement mortar (cement, water and sand).
2. Form (for our option fit large sheets burdock).
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 kneading is very important. cement mortar. 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 idle in a barn or garage, taking up 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 path 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 imagine 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.

Photo