After having decades of experience that the Australian Heritage Homes team has in designing and constructing your dream home, we start to look at properties with a different lens. We notice the small things that need to be changed and the amazing things that many would gloss over. We have both critical and appreciative eyes, and it’s important that we have both, no matter what project we’re embarking on. It’s vital because we won’t gloss over anything, but we’ll also point out what makes your home very special. So, some of the topics that you find on the AHH blog may seem a bit out of the ordinary – today is a perfect example.
Types of Walkway Material
A walkway up to the front door is most likely something that you don’t even notice, but it’s also another blank canvas where you can make design decisions that properly represent you. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas (part one):
Gravel
The easiest and least expensive material possible is probably gravel, but you still have a variety of types to choose from. We’ve noticed that when you select the different stones, the smaller ones are optimal because you’ll be able to walk on and to pack them in more tightly. What does the process look like? Pinpoint where you’d like to place your walkway, make sure that you lay down landscape fabric, install edging like plastic edging and pile that gravel on the land.
Clay Bricks
This is an oldy but a goody – an option that’s been used for hundreds of years. You see them all of the time in the yards surrounding historical homes. Designers love them because they’re elegant and speak to a timeless essence of the home. But don’t worry, you’re not giving up durability and flexibility – bricks are one of the least likely materials to crack or break under pressure of Mother Nature or life in general. While you might have the colour red in your mind, you can actually find these in all sorts of hues. Bonus? They’re easy to install, even if you’re just looking for an update to your current walkway.
Natural Stone
When you think of natural stone, you may be thinking of a more premium-looking home and landscaping scheme. It works with all sorts of different styles of architecture and is another option that comes in different shapes, designs and colours. The trade-off here is that natural stone can mean a bit more maintenance, especially if you go the route of stone like slate. The reason is that natural stones like this can chip, especially if they see a lot of excess moisture on a regular basis. You’d think that any sort of walkway would see a lot of moisture, right? That’s correct, but the mitigation step is sealing it frequently.
More to come on this topic. In the interim, reach out to the Australian Heritage Homes team with any questions related to your dream home.