Ultimate Guide: Walks, Patios & Walls

Table of Contents

Introduction

WALKSDesigning Your SiteMaking a Site Plan
Walk DesignsHard WalksSoft Walks• Wood Walks
Edging• Edging Materials
Grading and Drainage• Drainage• Changes in Walk Level

Soft WalksLayout and PreparationStone• Types of Stone Aggregate
WoodLoose AggregateLumber Walks• Treated Lumber• Untreated Lumber
Boardwalks• Building a Boardwalk Dry-Laid WalksTools You Will NeedMaterial Selections• Brick• Brick Patterns• Adobe Blocks• Stone• Installation Tips• Interlocking Pavers• Concrete Patio Blocks
Setting Stone Directly on the Ground• Possible Materials• Laying Stone in the Ground
Walks on a Gravel-and-Sand Base• Plotting and Excavating the Subbase
Laying Paving Units in Sand• Spread Sand• Set Pavers• Fill the Joints• Filling Wide Joints

Hard Mortar- Bed WalksAnatomy of a Mortar Walk• Site Conditions• Mortar Mixes•Tools for Working with Mortar
• Preparing Paving Materials
Preparing for the Concrete Base• Install the Forms
Pouring the Concrete Bed• Pouring the Concrete• Begin the Pour• Screed the Surface
Finishing the Concrete Surface• Rough-Float the Surface• Curing Concrete
Setting the Walk• Set Forms• The Mortar Bed• Setting the Walk• Fill the Joints
Ceramic and Stone Tile• Suitable Types of Tile
Setting Tiles in Mortar• Prepare the Surface• Lay the Tiles

BUILDINGStepsStep Design• Finding the Run and Rise
Wood Steps• Steps on Grade• Building the Steps
Landscape Steps
Concrete Steps• Determine Run and Rise• Excavate the Site
BRICK STEPS• Building Brick Steps

PATIOSCreating a Comfortable Climate for Your Patio• Making a Site Cooler or Warmer Soft-Set PatiosTypes of PatiosInstalling Patio PaversMortar-Bed PatiosConcrete Patios.• Making a Concrete Patio
Patios on Concrete Slabs• Flagstone and Brick Patios• Tiling a Patio  WALLSDry-Laid Stone WallsToolsTypes of Stone• Selecting Stones• Estimating Amounts
Wall Building Basics• Building Requirements
Constructing the Wall• The First Course• The Second Course• Cap the Wall

Footings for WallsGeneral Requirements• Footing Size and Depth• Footing Forms
Buying Concrete• Dry Mixes• Wet Mixes• Estimating Amounts
Mixing Concrete• Mixing by Hand• Using a Power Mixer
Building Footings• Building Forms
Pouring ConcreteMortared Stone WallsGeneral Requirements for Stone WallsConstructing the WallConcrete Block WallsTypes of Block• Shapes and Sizes• Estimating Amounts
Basic RequirementsBuilding a Block Wall• Set the First Block
Stucco Finishes• Applying Stucco

Brick WallsTypes of Bricks• Brick Sizes
Types of Walls• Anatomy of a Brick Wall• Estimating Amounts
Basic Requirements• Footings• Reinforcement• Mortar
Building a Single-Wythe Wall• Wall Layout
Building a Double-Wythe Wall• Wall Layout

Retaining WallsBasic Requirements• Excavation• Drainage• Footings and Reinforcement
Landscape-Tie Retaining Walls• Building a Landscape-Tie Wall
Interlocking Concrete-Block WallsDry-Laid Stone Retaining Walls• Building a Dry-Laid Retaining Wall
  Appendix IPLANNING AND DESIGNBasic Landscape DesignWhat do You Expect From Your Yard?• Working with Your Surroundings• Formal Versus Informal Basic Site Design• Design Techniques• Dividing Your Design Into Specific Parts• Organizing Your Site Design

Appendix IIPLANNING YOUR SITETypes of SoilDealing with Drainage• Drainage Systems• Grading Your Site  Resource GuideGlossaryIndex

About the Author

Consumers recognize Creative Homeowner as their leading and trusted source for the best information, inspiration, and instruction related to the house and home. Creative Homeowner is the preeminent publisher of books on all aspects of decorating and design; home repair and improvement; house plans; gardening and landscaping; and grilling. Creative Homeowner's books stand out from other publications with their complete and easy-to-follow instructions, up-to-date information, and extensive use of color photography. Among its best-selling titles are Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement, Updated Edition; Ultimate Guide: Plumbing, 4th Updated Edition; and Ultimate Guide: Wiring, 8th Updated Edition.

Reviews

...well organized and easy to follow, covering short walkways, patios, and low masonry walls.-- "Library Journal"