Walkway Pavers

A walkway is the one hardscape where the small and mid formats win. A path is usually 3 to 5 feet wide, so a 36x36 fills it in one piece and looks like a slab, while 12x24 or 16x24 in a running bond gives the eye a rhythm to follow and cuts cleanly where the path bends. 6x12 in herringbone is the classic front walk, and it takes a curve without a saw. 12x12 and 16x16 squares suit a straight side-yard path or a stepping-stone run set in gravel or turf.

Width, pattern and edge

Size the paver to the width: a 36-inch path takes three 12x12s or one 12x24 plus a 12x12 per course with no cuts; a 48-inch path takes two 24-inch pieces or three 16-inch pieces. Running bond and herringbone hide small misalignments better than a stack bond, which shows every joint that drifts. Finish the edges with a soldier course of 6x12 or a flush steel or aluminum edge restraint so the sand base does not migrate. For a path between beds, leave the joints a little wider and sweep in polymeric sand; for a formal front walk over a slab, mortar-set at 1-1/4" with tight joints.

Thickness and base

Foot traffic only: 1-1/4" (3cm) mortar-set over a concrete slab, or 2" (5cm) sand-set over 4 to 6 inches of compacted base. If a car ever crosses the path (an apron, a side gate to the driveway), it is a driveway and needs 2" on a thicker base. In a freeze-thaw climate, 2" on a drained base is the safer spec for any sand-set walk. Travertine stays coolest in sun and takes a tumbled, grippy face; limestone gives the most even color on a long run; basalt is the dark, modern option; marble suits a formal entry. The paver size guide has coverage, pieces per pallet and weight for every size, and the square footage guide covers overage for a path with curves.