Here in Southwest Florida, there are some specific building materials that we turn to over and over again when building walkways due to their durability and popularity in terms of looks. We will go over several materials with you before we design your walkways, because what it’s built of plays an important role in the look and feel of your garden walkway or pathway. At Peer Landscaping of Fort Myers we try to choose materials that fit the style of your landscape design and your home. For example, a more formal house and landscape design goes better with a hardscape walkway made of pavers, mortared bricks or slates. Materials like mulch, gravel, or pinestraw enhance the look of a more naturalistic or organic pathway, which looks best with a more rustic looking house.
There are several common materials we use for building walkways here in Southwest Florida. This is a short list of some of the most popular materials:
1. Pavers: One of the most popular choices for patios, driveways, and garden walkways, they can be made of slip-resistant, durable materials ranging from concrete to clay to natural stone. Pavers come in a plethora of colors, shapes and sizes, making them a great design choice because we can match or complement the color of your house. They are a great choice for either residential use or commercial because they are easy to maintain. Pavers are also environmentally friendly as they are typically set into a sandy base, which allows rain to soak slowly back into the ground rather than being wasted as runoff.
2. Bricks: Nothing is more classical and formal than a brick-and-mortar walkway, which looks elegant, but requires minimal maintenance.
3. Concrete: Durable, low maintenance and versatile, concrete is a popular walkway choice. Concrete can be colored, stained or even stamped for a multitude of design options. Concrete can also be stamped to look like brick, stone or other materials to match the surrounding landscape.
4. Natural stone and slate: Slate and stone comes in a variety of colors, sizes and textures for a beautiful natural, rustic look. Stone wears well and looks high end. Whether it is large slate paving stones or small round river rock, stone is always an attractive choice.
5. Wood: Wood is a very popular option, if you are looking for a homestyle rustic look to your walkway. Wood can be painted or stained to match your home or landscape, and it is easy to install. One thing to note, wood does require some yearly maintenance to prevent decay and rot.
6. Natural combinations: There are a number of materials that look wonderful when used in combination. Brick and stone together, or gravel with large slate stepping stones adds aesthetic interest and creates a aged look that makes the walkway look like it’s been there for years. Perfect for a classically designed house and garden.
7. Flagstones: Flagstones allow for a creative, yet timeless look to your yard, because they come in so many different shapes and sizes. They are also easy to maintain and fit well into most landscape layouts.
About Us
Born and raised in Southwest Florida, Peer Landscaping owners Bailey and Katie Peer bring a passion for beauty, as well as Christian values to their love of landscaping. Based in Fort Myers, FL, the Peer Landscaping team uses innovative 3-D design techniques that allow you to see how a new landscape design will truly look on your property, before any work is done. Check out our portfolio of the beautiful tropical landscapes we’ve completed at https://peerlandscaping.com/ and then give us a call to start designing your gorgeous new landscape! 239-645-6455
