Wonderful Walkways
Walkways are much more than a surface to walk on. Their main purpose may be functional but they can also be an attractive feature to your Pennsylvania landscape. There are many different options for you to choose from. Your budget, home and personal style will determine which materials are most appropriate for your project.
More than just mere paths, walkways provide a sense of destination whether it is sauntering through gardens or to your front steps. They can define the environment around them as formal or informal. Walkways also provide an opportunity to enhance the beauty, architecture, style and value of your Montgomery County property.
As a general rule of thumb, gardens that are wider than six feet should have a path for maintenance purposes. This lets you plant, clip and harvest on both sides of the path without interrupting other growth. Seeing your plants in full bloom is one of the delights of horticulture, but by the end of summer plants can sprawl over their perimeters and appear a little out of control. Walkways are an essential element to define flow for your Pennsylvania landscape.
Because they add much needed curb appeal to homes and buildings, walkways are quickly becoming a point of artistic expression by way of a multitude of decorative alternatives. There are a wide assortment of materials available, in many colors and textures. No matter what shades of coloring you have in your yard, there is a material to match it. The end results will look great.
Brick has been used in gardens for centuries and is one of the most commonly used materials. Pea gravel looks good, packs down well and stays put all year round. You may opt for ornamental stepping stones; they can serve as focal points in your garden, even in winter. The other option is concrete, which has made leaps and bounds from the traditional grey of sidewalks.
Installing walkway lighting is more than a beauty makeover. It will add visibility - and therefore safety for visitors - while showing off your home's adjacent shrubbery and plants. When deciding how to illuminate walkways, don't forget that stairs also need to be visible. If your path has steps on it, be sure the placement of lighting illuminates those steps - rather than casting shadows on them. Proper lighting should elevate security and be aesthetically pleasing at the same time. The key principles are simple: shield the light source, and keep the light level low and balanced.
Pennsylvania's icy winter weather is the largest contributing factor to unsafe conditions where people walk. Ice and snow can cause people to slip and fall on your paths and walkways, which can lead to serious injury. The time it takes to keep your walkway safe will be well worth the effort. There are melting agents that are easy to use and safe for your materials.
Winding or straight, functional or decorative, walkways are the way to go. With proper planning, they will prove to be a great addition to your West Conshohocken property.
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