A Stepping Stone path is a gorgeous walkway often seen in gardens, entryways, and lawns. The trail creates a beautiful appearance and elevates the value of your property. Often called Steppers or Stepping Stone pavers, their beauty lies in their simplicity and easy installation. Here is all about Stepping Stones and laying the stones yourself without spending a fortune.
Installing a Stepping Stone path- An easy DIY
As mentioned above, the installation of Stepping Stones is simple. It doesn't require heavy labour or materials, unlike conventional outdoor pavers. Here is a useful step-by-step guide you can follow for installing the Steppers:
- First, measure the area where you would lay the stones. Calculate the width of the path/walkway, the shape, and type of the stones, and visualize the design. You can choose to keep the stone trail below the surrounding soil level so that your lawnmower can easily move around. Another option is to keep the height slightly above the ground level to keep it popping up during waterlogging.
- Bring the Stepping Stones one by one and start placing them in a way you want to create the trail. Trace their shape on the ground. This is the final area where you will put the stone. The distance between the center of each stone should be between 18 to 24 inches.
- Start digging the marked area to create a base. The hole must be at least 2 cm deeper than the thickness of the Stepper.
- Once you have dug the holes, fill them with gravel, sand, or stone-dust mixture. The objective of the filling is to hold the stones in place. Soil tends to shift with time and moisture. This filling will slow down the process and allow less space for the stones to sink.
- Now jiggle the Steppers into the setting bed. Tap the Stepping Stone pavers with a rubber mallet to get rid of air pockets. Tap one side of the Stepper so that it inclines slightly. The slant will help drain water quickly. Leave the stones for 24 hours, and your Stepping Stone path is ready!
How will Stepping Stones benefit me?
We have heard that several times. Let us highlight the benefits of Stepping Stone Pavers for you:
- You might be aware how Stepping Stones primarily were used as raised surfaces in muddy or drenched places. People would place stones to step on and save their feet from getting muddy or wet. (That's how Stepping Stones got the name). So, if you reside in a rainfall-prone area and your walkways get slippery or flooded in water, Stepping Stones give you a safe, stable surface to walk on.
- Needless to mention, these stones also add appeal to the aesthetics of your property. Since they come in a wide range of hues and shapes, you get ample opportunities to experiment with the design. Those looking for a neat, defined look can pick the rectangular Stepping Stone pavers, while others can go for space-saving round ones.
- Another major benefit that Steppers gives you is they save your grassy lawn. They prevent trampling of grass as the foot traffic will be on the stones.
- Installation of Stepping Stone Pavers is incredibly simple which you can do yourself. You do not need heavy equipment for excavating or levelling the area. The opposite is true in the installation of outdoor pavers like pool pavers, driveways, or patios.
- Last but not least, Steppers require zero maintenance. Once you seal the natural stone Steppers, you do not have to worry about their upkeep.
Are Stepping Stones the same as outdoor pavers?
Since Stepping Stones are used outdoors, they are often called garden pavers or outdoor pavers. However, they are not the same.
The traditional outdoor pavers are large slabs of thick stones covering a large area. They measure 30 mm in thickness. Stones of outdoor pavers are used in patio, alfresco, driveways, pool pavers, walkways, or more.
Pavers are intended for a defined straight area, whereas Stepping Stones are irregular, often round in shape, and limited to use in gardens, lawns, entryways, or walkways. They are rarely used in patio, driveway, or alfrescos unless the stones are set at the ground level. The distance between the stones and the irregularity in shapes is another reason for the same. Steppers can also be made with leftover material from outdoor pavers.
Summing up
Overall, Stepping Stones are easy to install and easily available. From concrete to natural stones, you can choose any material for your Stepping Stone Pavers. They are zero maintenance and sustainable products for your outdoor space. Pick Stepping Stones for your garden or lawn to lift the aesthetics of your house, without spending a lot or making much effort.
*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.