Concrete Stepping Stones

Now that stepping stones are coming back into favor, the shapes and sizes of an instant walkway have much more to offer than just a round of concrete.

If you are the creative or deep type, you can even lay stones that have poems etched into them.

Planning your areas where the stones are most needed is the first consideration.

If there have been other structures added to your property such as a gazebo, storage shed or pool area, they would be ideal since you are going to have a path to them before too long. We have all seen overgrown pieces of concrete or brick jutting up from the ground where there was once a lovely walkway that led to the driveway or backyard.

Or, perhaps, there aren't any signs of a walk, just a beaten path traveled by kids and visitors where there should be a walk.

Worse yet, you have an inconvenient sidewalk that people have to search for in the dark of night because it just isn't positioned where common sense says it should be.

Stepping stones can take care of any of those problems while adding a touch of style to your landscaped areas. Gardens and orchards are also good places to use concrete stepping-stones as well as surrounding flowerbeds around your home.

Create a blueprint of your property and the path that you would prefer to be followed, get creative with a flowing walkway that follows the scenery. You will find that once a walkway is in place, your yard will be saved!

You can find standard circular or square concrete stepping stones for sale at most building material or hardware stores.

However, specialty stores offer irregular sized or different stone toppings for variety.

There are also companies that are now making embedded designs in concrete stepping stones that further accentuate your landscape and home's exterior.

Mosaic designs are popular for highlighting flowers or leading to a patio that has been made of stamped concrete or stone. Choose the style and design of your preference and prepare to install. Laying your concrete stones is relatively easy once you have your outline of your plan on the ground.

You might want to use cut out cardboard or pieces of wood for where you are going to place the stones just to get an idea of the look before you begin digging.

When you are satisfied that this is where you want the walk, lay the concrete stepping stones on top of the ground and space them out.

A space of 24" from one center to the next is the average distance set for most stones.

The only materials that you will need are your stepping stones, builder's sand and mulch.

Tools should consist of gloves, a tarp, shovel and long-handled spade.

Installing Concrete Stepping Stones

Remove the grass top and place on the tarp if you wish to replant in another area.

Dig a hole the same dimensions of your stone, 2" deep.

Line the hole with builder's sand to help support the stone.

Your stones should rest about ½ inch above the ground level.

The sand will eventually settle, making the stones even with the ground.

If they are lower than that, remove and fill in with more builders sand.

Follow each stone using this procedure.

When finished, line the outer edges with mulch.

Making Concrete Stepping Stones

This can be done with the right type of concrete mix, water, and concrete stepping stones molds. Making a stone is comparable to pouring a form. This way you can also make your own handmade designs if you want the personal touch.

Making different shapes and designs for secluded areas can change the look according to the type of scene you are hoping to accomplish.

are much easier than pouring a sidewalk that is usually straight and non-negotiable.

A dotting of walkways appears more compatible with nature and still draws people to use as a path without disturbing your lawn.

Planning out your stone placement is the key in this process will bring a new presence to your existing yard.

Plan smartly and your concrete stepping stones will look right in place as if they had always been there.

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