Driveways and Walkways – Local biz blog

Summary
– The characteristics of the Japanese walkway
– The installation of Japanese walkways
– How much does it cost to construct a Japanese walkway?

The Japanese walkway is not only practical and aesthetic, but also a good solution to create an elegant walkway in a garden. And with the diversity of materials available today, it is no longer reserved only for Zen-inspired gardens. It naturally finds its place in all types of exteriors: from the most traditional to the most contemporary.

The characteristics of the Japanese walkway

Principle

A Japanese walkway is a slab of more or less regular shape and standard size. Count about 30 cm in diameter for a rounded pattern and 35 × 30 × 3 cm for a rectangular pattern. The tiles are laid discontinuously, with varying degrees of spacing and alignment. They create an elegant and unobtrusive circulation without damaging the lawn: the garden is not disfigured and the areas of passage are not worn out by the comings and goings of walkers.

Origin

The Japanese walkway or “Tobi ishi”, which means “flying stones”, has its origins in Asian culture. It is a major component of the Japanese garden. In the respect of tradition, its laying is not random and obeys precise rules. There is not one, but several Japanese walkways offering different styles: strict and geometric (“Shin”), free and natural (“So”), and combining both (“Gyo”).

Materials

Japanese walkways are now available in a wide variety of materials:

– natural stone;
– limestone;
– reconstituted stone;
– granite;
– rot-proof resin;
– moulded concrete;
– wood;
– cast iron;
– slate.

Reconstituted stone is the most widely used: it is very solid and resistance. It is also non-slip (provided it has been treated) and non-freezing and lighter than natural stone.

Slate slabs are most often used in modern gardens, those in cast iron for a romantic atmosphere; those in limestone or granite fit into all types of exteriors.

More original models also exist: increased size, luminescence, customization, everything is possible!

The installation of Japanese walkways

The laying of Japanese walkways on a lawn is very easy. However, it is important to know that the Japanese walkways are installed to direct the pathway and to modulate your walk. The close slabs encourage you to slow down, the distant slabs invite you to walk more freely.

The layout of the path

The Japanese walkways can be arranged to create a winding or straight driveway. For an easy and pleasant walk, the slabs must be placed at the right distance, i.e. between 50 and 60 cm. You can place the steps either in the traffic axis or in staggered rows: staggered by about 15 cm from the axis. The next step is to calculate the number of tiles to be laid.

Good to know: to obtain the right distance between each slab, the measurement must be taken from the middle of the slab.

Tip: Use a garden hose to sketch out the path. This is an excellent solution for visualising your future driveway.

Laying

Once the path has been traced:

1. Place the slabs in the right place and mark the outline of each slab with a spade shovel.
2. Remove the slabs and loosen the ground to a height equal to the thickness of the slab plus 5 cm. For example, if the Japanese step is 3 cm thick, the floor will need to be cut back 8 cm.
3. Place a 5 cm bed of sand in each hole and then place the slab by tapping gently with a hammer. This is to prevent the slab from sinking too deep into the ground over time.
4. Finally, use a stick (broom handle type) to make sure that the slabs do not exceed the level of the lawn, which would hinder the passage of the mower.

What is the cost of a Japanese walkway?

Japanese walkways have become very popular and are now sold in many stores: in supermarkets in the gardening section, in garden centres, in DIY and decoration stores, in shops dedicated to garden design and decoration, and on the Internet where the offer is abundant.

The Japanese “stepper” is sold individually. It is mainly the material that influences its price; then comes the size and design for more elaborate slab models.

Here are a few guidelines, in a range from $5 to $25. Count:
– $5 per unit for a concrete slab;
– $7 per unit for a reconstituted stone slab;
– $9 per unit for a granite slab;
– $12 to $17 a unit for a decorated cast-iron slab;
– $12 to $17 per unit for a slate slab;
– $25 each for a marble slab.

Should you be looking for professionals to create your living heaven in Melbourne, Church Street Garden Service is the place to call both for residential and commercial clients. And, remember to share your experience in the section below.

Summary:

– Some principles of garden/pool design
– Understanding the role of a swimming pool landscaper
– Contracting a pool landscaper
– Where to find a swimming pool landscaper?

A swimming pool is appreciated not only as a place to relax but also for its aesthetics, especially if it is surrounded by a well-designed garden. Nothing is more enchanting than a swimming pool with sparkling water set in a well-chosen green setting!

Principles of garden/pool design

Some principles:

The plants surrounding your pool must be able to withstand full sun, be robust and easy to maintain.
Always plant at a certain distance from the pool to avoid shading and pollution.

Yellow flowers are particularly bright around a pool and are beautiful alongside blue flowers. White gives elegance, pink and chamois give a warm note.

The swimming pool landscaper is the ideal contact for the creation of a landscaped swimming pool, thus integrated into its environment. The craze for and development of natural pools has tended to bring together two professions, that of landscape gardener and that of swimming pool designer, which until now were somewhat unknown to each other.

With the help of a swimming pool landscaper, your pool will be part of a whole: the plants, the decorative elements, the terraces will be designed according to the pool, and vice versa. After reading this post on pool landscaping, new perspectives will open up for you!

For example, shrubs and hedges near your pool

In general, near a swimming pool, it is better to plant shrubs rather than trees: the latter would shade your pool and let too many leaves fall into the water.

On the contrary, shrubs, and even a real hedge around the pool have two great advantages:

– They shelter the pool from the prevailing winds.
– They isolate you from the neighbors and allow you to feel at home in your pool amidst the plants.

For the choice of shrubs, think about the:

– Evergreen shrubs: privet for pruned or free hedges, Mexican orange tree with fragrant white flowers; escallonia with pink or red flowers; photinia with shiny leaves, etc.
– Flowering shrubs with summer bloom: weigelias, buddleias, abelias, sky blue ceanothus, etc.

Understanding the role of a swimming pool landscaper

His role can be very extensive depending on his skills. In practice, the swimming pool landscaper is able to create an outdoor space project desired by the client. He is attentive to his needs and will, therefore, propose a unique space taking into account the architecture of the house, the shape of the land, and the family’s lifestyle.

The development of the project normally includes the installation of the swimming pool, with the choice of its shape and the creation of its surroundings. However, it can also include, for example, the creation of a pool-house or the design of lighting to enhance the pool and green spaces.

In any case, the project is generally personalized and requires a good dose of imagination and creativity on the part of the landscaper.

Contracting a pool landscaper

You don’t want your garden to look like a patchwork and you want to transform your pool area into a unique place, then you can call on Libardi Island Landscaping Corp.

The most important step is to meet the client and discover the site. This is the moment when the design is worked out. The swimming pool landscaper is able to make the most of the advantages and constraints of the site, to enhance a view, to remove an awkward neighborhood, etc.

Contracting a swimming pool landscaper brings a major advantage: you will be able to create a swimming pool area and not just a pool with surrounds. The coherence of the site will give it a de facto obvious beauty.

One of the disadvantages, of course, is the price. Using a pool landscaper will inevitably cost more than installing a simple shell pool. But, since not everything that is beautiful is necessarily expensive, why not ask for a quote?

Tip: It is important to be aware of the pool landscaper’s expertise in hydraulic techniques. A project can be beautiful, but it must also be feasible under good operating conditions later on.

Where to find a swimming pool landscaper?

The profession is still not very widespread. But on the internet, many landscape gardeners advertise their skills in swimming pools or outdoor areas with swimming pools. The first thing to do is to visit their photo galleries to check that their creations correspond to what you are looking for.

More and more pool designers are working with landscape designers to present their clients with a unique project. Ask those close to you.

Word-of-mouth is also a good solution to find the pool landscaper, the creator of the pool area of your dreams. Or you can contact Libardi Island Landscaping Corp. They are the leader on the market and operate in Suffolk County, Long Island, Nassau County, Lindenhurst, Bay Shore, Brentwood, Farmingville, North Babylon, Smithtown, Westbury, North Massapequa, Floral Park, Great Neck, Hempstead, Mastic and Northport.

Don’t forget to leave your comments below and share your experience with us!

Tag: Driveways and Walkways

How to Install a Japanese Garden Walkway