A significant role in the design suburban area arrangement plays garden paths. After all, they greatly facilitate the movement of residents within the boundaries of the allotment. In addition, beautifully meandering through the garden, they serve as its decoration. But that is not all. Paths can be called a kind of strings that connect all the individual parts of the site into an inextricable whole, being the finishing touch to the design of its appearance. In order to equip them, it is not at all necessary to buy expensive paving slabs and hire a team of professional builders for the work. It’s not too difficult to make garden paths yourself, using various materials. You can also lay them out using special forms. This method quite popular today. You can buy a mold for making garden paths in a store or make it yourself, especially since it is not so difficult.
Of course, some people prefer a more traditional approach, laying out their paths with tiles or paving stones. But this design looks somewhat standard, and it will be quite expensive. Therefore, many dacha owners and country houses they solve the issue differently, making paths on their site using special forms. This allows you to show all your imagination in arranging the surrounding space.
Paths in the garden, laid out using shapes, usually turn out very elegant. And, compared to traditional ways, they have such significant advantages as:
- low cost construction work;
Shaped tracks are quite inexpensive and beautiful - the ability to manufacture tracks of any size and configuration;
- simplicity of the entire work process.
By laying paths on the site using forms, it is possible to supplement them with almost any material - marble chips, pebbles or something else that will give the appearance of the paths special attractiveness and originality. But before you start making a garden path, you need to do some preparatory work.
Preparing the base of the future path
Using a special shape, you can make a very attractive looking path. Perhaps such a coating is somewhat less durable than that made by some other methods. But it has a right to exist and is quite popular among summer residents and owners of country real estate due to the ease of manufacture and the low cost of the entire process.
Attention! When arranging a path, you need to think about drainage. To do this, you can place it on elevated places or make it at a slight angle to drain water. Otherwise, cracking of the coating may occur during frosts.
But in order for the garden path to serve for a really long time, it is necessary to quality foundation under it:
- First you need to outline the boundaries of the planned path. For this, twine or nylon cord and pegs are usually used;
Before laying the path, remove upper layer soil - if the soil at the site where the path is laid is weak or has been previously disturbed, you will need to cut off its top layer to create a path. But if the soil on the site is strong enough, then you don’t have to remove it, just add additional bedding on top of it;
- After excavating part of the soil and leveling the area for the path, it is necessary to make bedding to strengthen the base. First, a layer of sand is poured, and gravel is placed on top of it. The next layer will again be sand. At the same time, each layer is well compacted. Such a base usually withstands fairly heavy loads and has for a long time services.
Advice. When preparing the base for the path, compacting the layers of bedding is mandatory. If special devices There are no compacting materials, you can use something you have at hand, for example, a log, or simply spill the layers with water so that they settle and become denser.
Preparation of solution for filling molds
To cast molds to create a track, you need to prepare a solution. It is made from cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3. The grade of cement can be M300-500, but for a higher quality coating it is better to take at least M400. Water is added gradually while preparing the solution. The consistency should not be too thick, but not runny either. If significant loads are planned for the future path, additional reinforcing fiber can be added to the solution, small size crushed stone or gravel fractions.
Strengthening the future path with gravel and sand Making a path using a do-it-yourself mold
Using new molds that can be found on the market today, paving tiles are cast directly on site. Sometimes just one mold is enough, which is enough to cast a large number of such homemade tiles. There is no longer any need to wait until the solution has completely set. The form can be released almost immediately to fill another fragment.
Work on the manufacture of a track on a prepared base using a special form is carried out in the following sequence:
- first you need to determine the location of pouring the first part and moisten the base where the tiles will be laid;
- place the form in the chosen place, fill it with solution, evenly distributing it over all cells, compacting it so that there are no voids;
Making a track using a mold - Level the solution laid out over the cells on top with a wide spatula. To do this, you can use some other object, the main thing is that it is smooth and flat. It is better if the tile being made is slightly convex on top, this is convenient for removing sediment from its surface in the future;
- The form filled with the solution is kept for 15-20 minutes, then carefully removed, lifting it up, and placed next to it, repeating the whole process again. Before each use, the mold is cleaned of any remaining solution. At the end of the work, it needs to be washed.
This way you can lay out the entire track in a fairly short period of time. If some tile elements were accidentally deformed, they can be corrected a little later. You just need to wait until the solution dries slightly. The gaps between the tiles can be filled with small pebbles or lawn grass can be planted there. Moss looks very interesting in the grooves of the tiles. To make it appear there, the seams are spilled with kefir or yogurt.
Forms for the path: how to make them yourself?
Special molds for making garden paths today can be found in retail or purchased online. Despite Not high cost, many people make them on their own, especially since making such forms is not at all difficult.
To make the mold, a wide variety of available materials are used - wooden blocks hoops removed from barrels, metal sheets and other. Some craftsmen even make them from suitable sized molds with non-stick coating intended for baking.
One of the common options for making a mold frame is wooden blocks. To create a framing frame, it is convenient to use bars with a section of 50 by 50 mm. After securing the joints of the beams, jumpers are installed inside the frame. For them, it is better to take bars with a section of 30 by 30 mm. The internal jumpers themselves are placed randomly.
Any shape can be adapted to make a track For those who prefer irregular shape tiles for a garden path, you can use metal sheets or hoops removed from the old one to make the frame wooden barrel. If this option is chosen and it is decided to make a mold from flexible material, then the sheet of iron must be cut into strips, giving them the preferred shape, securing the joints by welding. In the case of hoops removed from the barrel, they are first straightened and then bent, giving the desired shape.
Creating a path with your own hands using a mold that you also made yourself is an exciting activity that allows you to bring your fantasies to life. In addition, the cost of such a path will be minimal, which is also important when designing your suburban area.
How to make a path using a form: video
The mold for making a garden path will allow you to quickly acquire interesting element personal plot. Quite recently on the market building materials plastic analogues have appeared that allow you to use them repeatedly, making smooth and practical paths. If you are unable to use ready-made paving slabs or clinker brick, then purchasing such equipment can be an excellent solution.
Reviews of plastic forms
The mold for making a garden path will become a great assistant For home handyman. However, before purchasing such equipment, it is imperative to find out about all its positive and negative aspects. Among the latter, consumers highlight the fact that the resulting structures are not as strong as if vibratory casting or pressing technology were used. However positive sides there too. And there are quite a lot of them. We can highlight, for example, the ease of manufacturing tracks, as well as low cost. Using the described products and the filling mixture, you can create tracks of any configuration and length. New form for making a garden path is different from those that consumers are used to seeing in everyday life.
Difference from traditional analogues
When using traditional formwork, it would be necessary to pour and wait about two days for the mortar to set. Only then was the formwork removed. When using modern plastic products filling is carried out on site, the entire process is carried out without stopping, which eliminates the removal of the corresponding equipment from operation. Thus, only one formwork can be used. This is especially attractive to private consumers. Before casting, it is necessary to prepare the base for the track.
Features of using modern forms
If you will use a mold to make a beautiful garden path, then you need to mark it in advance and then remove the soil. If you have to work with sand or other a solid foundation, then soil excavation need not be carried out; in this case, backfilling is carried out from above. Initially, it is necessary to lay sand in the resulting trench, the thickness of which is 20 cm, and then crushed stone of 12 cm must be placed. Only then a leveling layer of sand, the thickness of which is 5 cm, must be laid. Each layer must be compacted. Such a foundation must undergo significant loads. Making a garden path using plastic mold involves providing a certain slope that can guarantee the free convergence of sediments.
Making a solution for pouring
The mold for making the track will allow you to get a durable and reliable design, only if you make the solution correctly. To do this, you should use cement and sand, which are mixed in a ratio of 1 to 3. When adding water, you should ensure that the consistency is not too thick, the mixture must be fluid so that the solution can fill all the cavities. Making garden paths using molds may involve the addition of reinforced fibers and water-repellent additives.
Additional Ingredients
Consumers note that the fibers give the structure strength, while water-repellent components increase the life of the track. If you will use a mold to make a garden path, you should read the reviews in advance. In order to give the design decorative characteristics, pigments can be added to the solution. Due to the fact that formwork for paths is made using special plastic, which after hardening forms a smooth surface, it is not necessary to use lubricants, since the solution does not stick to the walls. This, according to home craftsmen, is very convenient.
Features of use
If you will use a mold to make a garden path with your own hands, then it is important to know not only about its quality characteristics, but also about the features of use. The product should be installed on the base, which must first be prepared and moistened, and then you can begin pouring the first section. Filling with the solution must be done using a spatula, which will allow the mixture to be well distributed. After the filling is completed, the solution must be leveled using a spatula or any other tool with a smooth and flat working surface. Once the form is filled, it must be left for 15 minutes, then lifted up and placed next to it, this process will have to be repeated until the track reaches the desired length and width.
Elegant and well-groomed garden paths are a mandatory attribute of almost any modern dacha or country house. Agree, it’s nice to stroll along an elegant path deep into your favorite garden or to please guests beautiful tiles, which leads from the gate to the home porch.
Garden paths organically fit into the green landscape and are divided into unique sectors, giving the territory a well-groomed and complete look. They are a kind of fencing for a vegetable garden, garden or favorite flower bed.
In addition, the tiles can be laid as a platform for a bench or for parking a car. Finally, thanks to flexible and durable garden paths, even in bad weather you can safely walk to the outbuilding or garage without fear of getting stuck in soggy ground. WITH choosing material for a garden path can be found in .
Today we will talk about one of the most common, accessible and uncomplicated methods construction of a garden path using a special “filled” form.
Ready-made plastic forms for laying garden paths have a variety of interesting options design, thanks to which any, even the most fabulous “stone” path pattern is formed.
Further, they are very easy to work with: the whole process is fast and fun. It is not difficult to rearrange the mold and pour concrete, and besides, you will not waste time making your own mold from an old iron hoop and other materials. Finally, it is important that this method will be cheaper than buying ready-made paving slabs.
Buying a form for a garden path is not a problem - it can be purchased at a specialized store or ordered online. Traditional dimensions of the form: 60*60*6 or 40*40*4 cm.
Preparatory stage
First, decide on the location of the new path. Make a preliminary marking: drive pegs around the perimeter, through which you stretch a string to mark the boundaries of the path.
Now estimate the density of the soil. If the top layer of earth is loose and fragile, then dig a trench - a groove about 8-12 cm deep, depending on the type of soil, and at least 45-65 cm wide, based on the parameters of one shape and taking into account the indentation along the edges for the border. If necessary, you can take double or triple width.
Afterwards, compact the soil well and add about 5-9 cm of sand and small gravel, then compact everything again. Make sure that the earth does not sink anywhere, otherwise all the work will be ruined.
If the soil is initially dense, then it is not necessary to dig a trench. It is enough just to compact the earth, then lay a thin layer of sand and crushed stone no more than 5 cm and compact everything thoroughly again.
In principle, to form a bedding, you can get by with sand alone, and add crushed stone later when pouring the path. The initial gravel-sand backfill is needed in case of quite loose soil or when a large operational load is expected, for example, a platform is being built for a car.
Setting up the form
Pour water over the sand at the site of the future path - this will compact the foundation and retain sufficient moisture in the concrete. Sand can be temporarily covered with polyethylene. When you plan to use tiles to drive a car or park it, then lay it on top of the gravel-sand base. reinforcing mesh, which is cut with a grinder to the size of the path. An alternative to reinforcement is fiberglass.
Now, using a brush or sprayer, thoroughly and thinly coat your mold. soap solution, specialized lubricant (optimally), or, as a last resort, recycled automobile oil. Thanks to lubrication, the mold will be easier to remove back. When using special lubricant - " K-222"etc. - it is enough to treat the mold once, with a soapy solution - each time before installing it on new position, machine oil - once every 3 fills.
Again, lightly spray the sand with water using a spray bottle, then carefully and evenly place the mold on the bedding, lightly pressing it in so that the layer of future tiles protrudes at least slightly above the level of the surrounding surface.
Preparing the solution
Let's move on to cement mortar . There are several options here.
- You can take the standard ratio: cement 1 part, clean fine-grained sand 3 parts.
- Further, there is this method: cement 1 hour, sand 3 hours, crushed stone 4 hours (medium or fine fraction).
- The composition is also used: cement 1 part, sand 4 parts + plasticizer.
Often, for the strength of the track, crushed stone and a plasticizer are added at once, and sometimes also reinforcing fiber.
Cement consumption may vary, but here is a guide from practice: 50 kg of M500 cement is enough for 2.6-3.0 sq. m. m of paths with the usual ratio to sand of 1:3 and without crushed stone. Here, for example, are 40 cm shapes (4 cm high), 1 row in width plus 17 shapes in length, for a total of 40 cm * 680 cm = 2.72 square meters. m.
For tiles 60*60*6 cm, 50 kg of cement is enough for approximately 1.7-2.2 square meters. m. With gravel or with a plasticizer, cement consumption will be at least 15% lower everywhere.
So, first, thoroughly mix dry cement M500 or M400 with fine-grained sand in a container. To make the tropics more durable, you can add crushed stone.
If you are planning color track, then add a special dye for concrete to the dry mixture at a dosage of approximately 2-5% of the total mass of cement. You can also use the so-called. liquid pigment that is added to the solution. A 750-800 g package of pigment is enough for about 8-9 square meters. m paths.
With painting, you can do this: paint the path in 1 color, adding it to the solution or mixture, mixing the dye evenly; paint the path “spot”, when the dye is added to the concrete, but not completely mixed; sprinkle the pigment on top of the finished, but not yet covered tile, painting only its surface.
Next, it is recommended to add to the water or dry mixture plasticizer which will provide the garden path better protection from moisture and temperature, will make it more elastic, flexible, smooth and strong. The plasticizer saves cement consumption and strengthens concrete by approximately 15-20%. In this regard, we can recommend the plasticizer “SP-1” (or “SP-3”) with a dosage of approximately 100-200 g per 25 kg package of cement (0.3-0.8% by weight).
You can also add to the dry ingredients or directly into the solution reinforcing polypropylene fiber by 12 or 18 mm. This is especially good for space under the car. Thanks to fiber, you can do without preliminary reinforcement with wire. This substance significantly increases the strength of concrete, eliminates any appearance of cracks, and makes the material resistant to abrasion. One package of fiber per 600 g is enough for 40-42 slabs of 60*60 cm (about 15 sq. m).
Gradually adding water to the dry mixture, thoroughly stir all the ingredients to a creamy consistency. Make sure that the solution is not too liquid, as too much water can cause cracks to form after the track hardens.
Laying a garden path
Post it cement-sand mortar from above into a form placed on the bedding. Fill it as evenly as possible, do not leave any voids anywhere, especially in the corners. Using a trowel or wide spatula, carefully level everything, compress and remove excess mortar. Try to keep the top of the tile as level as possible.
Now wait about 20-35 minutes until the solution thickens. Carefully holding the opposite diagonal corners, remove the mold, lifting it straight up so as not to distort the edges. It is permissible to lightly tap the shape with a trowel before doing this.
That's it, the first fragment of the path is ready.
Then spray the sand again with water, if necessary, lubricate the mold, move it to the next place and fill the solution again. Use a string, a level or a long strip to control the verticality of the form: the entire track should be on the same plane in height. By the way, you can use several molds at once for construction - this will make the work go faster.
After the final filling, cover the path with film or other material to protect it from traces or rain while it dries.
You can step on the finished path after a couple of days, apply loads, walk after 4-5 days, and park the car after no less than 16-18 days.
Final stage
Fill the seams between the path slabs, as well as its edges, with sand, compacting it well. You can also fill the seams with soil, then plant grass there. pour out onto already compacted seams, roll with a wallpaper roller, then lightly sprinkle them with earth on top.
Finally, around the edges you can make a more solid border using a special form. The work process is the same, but the composition of the solution will be as follows: cement 1 part, sand 2-3 parts + plasticizer + fiber. If you take 2 parts of sand, the border will be white; if a little more, it will be dark gray. Border dye is added as needed.
You now have a beautiful new garden path. Good luck with your construction!
Photos of garden paths
You can admire the already ready-made options garden paths and adopt the ideas you like. But make sure that the path you choose fits perfectly into your garden.
Garden paths, elegantly winding among the trees, add to the area well-groomed and complete. And it is not at all necessary to buy paving slabs or hire a designer and builders for their arrangement. You can improve the paths in the garden yourself, putting your soul into their creation, and in return you will receive a durable, well-maintained coating that can delight you long years. We’ll tell you in more detail how to make a garden path from a variety of materials with your own hands.
Types of garden paths
Garden paths can be classified according to many criteria, ranging from material of manufacture, size and method of arrangement, to design and compliance a certain style. Let's consider which garden paths can be arranged on your site with low costs for their production.
Garden path made using a plastic mold
Improving garden paths with plastic molds- relatively new way, which, thanks to its simplicity, has found many fans among owners of summer cottages.
Proof of this are numerous photos from specialized forums where you can see just such garden paths.
Advantages this method are not only simplicity, but also low cost and speed of production, because making garden paths using molds is essentially ordinary concreting.
The cheapness of this method is due to the use of one form, which is sufficient for uninterrupted operation. Of course, the strength of tiles made in this way is inferior to products made by vibration casting in a factory, but for a path in the country they are one of the best options.
Garden path made of paving slabs
The same applies for garden paths. tile, which is laid on sidewalks. An undeniable advantage this material is strength. Tiles laid in the form of a path in the country will serve you for many years without loss of appearance, and if some elements of the path are damaged under the influence external factors, they can be easily replaced. IN flaws tile covering we write down labor intensity And high cost. And what do you want? Durability doesn't come for free.
Stone garden path
Very often, the stone left over from the construction of a house is used to improve the paths. In this case, we can assume that the price of such a garden path is equal to the cost of your own labor. We won’t talk about the durability of the stone; paths of this type have been known since ancient times. The disadvantages, as in the case of tiles, are labor intensity.
Laying a stone correctly is not a task for the weak, but it will more than pay off in the result. Do-it-yourself stone paths will give the appearance of your garden real nobility and the appearance of unshakable durability, and they will remain in their original form for your descendants.
Garden path made of chocks and wood
If country house built of logs, then your choice is a path made by yourself from wood. This is one of the cheapest options, very easy to repeat, but, nevertheless, one of the most impressive against the backdrop of trees in the garden. Unfortunately, the service life of such paths is limited due to the fragility of the material, so only the hardest types of wood will have to be used.
Garden path made of bulk materials
If you want to build garden paths with your own hands at low cost, then this method is what you need. It is enough to dig a trench of the required width and fill it up suitable material, ranging from pebbles and screenings to crushed stone or marble chips. You can even arrange pieces of marble or concrete slabs, the main thing is to set their upper surface level and fill the gaps between them. Such garden paths are not suitable for heavy loads, but they can provide the necessary cleanliness and excellent appearance your garden.
Instructions for creating garden paths in photographs
Garden path using a DIY mold. Step-by-step instruction
To start arranging garden paths using a plastic mold with your own hands, look at photos of such stencils and buy the one you like the most.
Pay attention to the height of the forms and “stones” - they can vary widely.
A lot has been written about how to make paths in your dacha with your own hands. We suggest using the following instructions.
Choosing a place for a garden path and mark it out with our own hands. To do this, we hammer in pegs at all the bends of the path, and then tie them with cord around the entire perimeter. The cord is immediately leveled, taking into account the required height of the path above the ground. A water level can make this task a lot easier.
If the soil on your site is soft, then you need to dig a trench 10-12 cm deep, fill it halfway with sand, after which you need to spill everything with water and compact it. If the soil is sufficiently strong, you can do without a trench, but it is necessary to make a sand backfill followed by compaction.
If you plan to use the paths at your dacha for car passage, you should dig a trench with your own hands, fill it with a sand-gravel mixture, and then lay a reinforcing mesh of steel rod on top of it.
Preparing the solution . To do this, mix grade 400 cement, sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 1:3:4. If you plan to use coloring and plasticizing additives, then add them at the rate of 1-3% dye and plasticizer. You can take 4 parts of sand, but make sure that the cement is as fresh as possible and its grade is not lower than 400 .
We begin the production of garden paths by mixing all the components in dry form, after which we add water (if a concrete mixer is used, then half the volume of water is first poured in, and the rest is added during the mixing process).
We begin to prepare the solution Add concrete dye and liquid plasticizer Mix dry Add water with plasticizer and mix again
Let us immediately note that excess water negatively affects the strength of concrete after setting, so the amount of liquid should be no more than that required for high-quality filling of the form. Application plasticizer will significantly facilitate this process, add strength to concrete and reduce cement consumption by up to 15-20%. Fiber fiber can also be added to the solution, which will prevent shrinkage cracks on the surface and increase the abrasion strength of concrete by 100%.
For ease of use of the stencil, we attach handles to it , using special technological holes in the housing. For those who plan to make garden paths at low cost, let us tell you that the mold can be lubricated with automotive “ working out».
Of course, this is not the most perfect option, because the greasy surface of the tiles can only be painted after some time. The use of a soap solution is no less budget-friendly, but even such an environmentally friendly method also has the disadvantage described above.
We lubricate the molds for the garden path with a special lubricant. Lubricating the mold will allow you to easily remove it from the finished product.
Here's the application special lubricant for molds, although it will entail additional costs, it will save you from the need to constantly lubricate the mold for making a garden path with your own hands. A form greased immediately before work will not leave greasy marks, so you can paint such a path immediately after setting.
If the soil you compacted has dried out , then you must definitely spill it with water. Next, guided by the previously stretched cord, and also controlling the level, we install a form for pouring garden paths, which must be slightly pressed into the sand.
Fill the stencil with the prepared solution , avoiding voids in its corners. Using a small tamper, which we use as a vibrating plate, we try to compact the concrete as much as possible, and then level its surface with a spatula. After the 30-50 minutes required for the concrete to pre-set, the form is carefully removed and placed side by side, repeating the process until the finish line.
We begin to gradually fill the form, do not forget that the concrete should not be very liquid Special attention Pay attention to the corners, you need to fill them as much as possible with concrete mortar. Since we used a plasticizer and made the solution thick, after 15-20 minutes you can remove the mold. Here the first slab is ready! Let it harden for a day, after which we begin to actively use it.
To avoid animal prints , self-made garden paths are covered with plastic film and waited at least 3-4 days before taking a new path and taking a photo as a souvenir. The full load on the concrete product can be given no earlier than after 20 days.
The last stage in the construction of garden paths Do it yourself at low cost by painting and filling the tile joints with river sand.
There are several ways to paint a new path.
- The first is to add dye at the final stage of concrete preparation. . After this, you can lightly mix the concrete, achieving an uneven color, or thoroughly mix the components to obtain a uniform color.
- The second method requires dusting the wet concrete surface with dry dye each time the mold is removed. , however, in this case, only the very top layer will be painted, which will be erased over time. Garden paths with stains wiped off precisely after this type of painting can often be seen in photos on the Internet.
DIY paths video tutorial
Garden paths painted with your own hands look very interesting. dye dissolved in deep penetration soil , which makes it possible to achieve similarity with low cost natural stone. Stone effect tiles, painted in various colors, will look especially impressive in your garden. AND last tip: after painting, do not forget to treat the surface of the path with a water repellent - it will not allow moisture to penetrate the pores of the concrete, destroying it from the inside.
Pouring a concrete path with your own hands
Monolithic concrete paths laid along a summer cottage are easy to manufacture, durable and visually attractive. Read on to learn how to make concrete garden paths.
Marking the future path , driving pegs along its edges and pulling a cord between them at the required height. We take into account that optimal thickness filling is from 7 to 10 cm.
Preparing the sand bed . To do this, we dig a trench up to 20 cm deep, level its bottom, install beacons and lay geotextiles, also covering the slopes of the trench with this material. After this, we fill the hole with 2-3 layers of sand with intermediate pouring and compaction of each layer. You can add a layer of fine crushed stone between two adjacent layers of sand. This will enhance the drainage properties of the pillow.
Laying agrofibre Installation of a sand cushion Leveling the sand cushion
Preparing concrete . You can use the recipe from the instructions for filling the molds. If you need a pavement path of increased strength, for example, for driving or parking a car in a country house, then take 1 part of cement (not lower than grade 400), 1.5 parts of sand and 2.5-3 parts of crushed stone or gravel. The ideal volume ratio is 1 part water to 3 parts cement, but to increase the plasticity of the liquid, add a little more. Don't forget what less water will be in the solution, the stronger the concrete coating will be.
Formwork is used for garden paths from wooden planks thickness of at least 20 mm. It is better if the width of the boards is equal to the thickness of the fill, otherwise you will have to dig them into the ground. The boards need to be nailed to inside pegs.
Install dividers at even intervals in order to create expansion joints. When making paths at the dacha, dividers can be used from available material. Smooth, narrow strips of drywall, glass, thin boards, scraps of laminate, siding, etc. are suitable for these purposes. In order to remove the spacers after the concrete has set, they must be lubricated with any suitable lubricant.
We carry out reinforcement of the structure to increase its strength. Chain-link mesh, scraps of reinforcement, pipes, etc. are used as reinforcing mesh. Of course, it is best to use a welded reinforcing belt made of rods with a diameter of up to 8 mm, with a cell of 100x100 mm. The reinforcement is placed at half the height of the path, using fragments of bricks or clamps made from the same rods.
Garden paths are poured up to the top edge of the formwork. . Next, using a tamper, we compact the surface until cement milk appears on the surface of the path, and then level it using the rule. Next, cover the path with plastic film and wait at least 5 days before removing the formwork. Full load on concrete can be given no earlier than after 3 weeks.
Decorate the path possible in several ways.
- Firstly, the surface can be painted or tiled with marble or ceramic tiles.
- Secondly, you can apply a design to it using a shaped spatula, screwdriver or coarse brush.
- Thirdly, you can paint the concrete itself at the preparation stage.
- Fourthly, gravel or pebbles can be pressed into the wet layer, laying out intricate patterns.
In a word, a garden path made of concrete can be original and attractive, as in numerous videos of popular Internet resources.
DIY garden path made of paving slabs
If you are planning to arrange garden paths with your own hands at low cost, then this method will not suit you. Paving slabs cannot be called a cheap material. On the other hand, such paths have a lot of advantages and are practically free of disadvantages. Watch a video in which you can lay such a garden path yourself. Not so difficult, right? At first glance, this is true. In fact, in order for the sidewalk path laid at the dacha to please the eye for a long time, careful preparation of the base and maximum care and precision in the work are necessary. So, how to make a path from paving slabs with your own hands:
- Choosing a tile . At the same time, we focus not only on design, but also on its operational features. For example, for tiles on which you plan to drive a car, the ability to withstand increased loads is important.
- Stocking up on tools . For work we will need: a trowel, rubber hammer, tamper, level, cord, pegs, pipe or I-beam, sand and cement.
- Marking future paths . To do this, we hammer in the pegs and pull the cord to the required height.
- Preparing the foundation . The successful operation of the track throughout its entire service life will depend on this work, so we approach this stage with the most responsibility. To do this, we level the base as accurately as possible, removing part of the soil on the hills and adding it in the lowlands. As we work, we constantly compact the soil, wetting its surface with water.
We calculate the depth of the base by calculating the height of the tiles plus the height of the sand layer. To the resulting value add a couple of centimeters for shrinkage. As a rule, the depth is 20-30cm. Don't forget to create required slopes to drain water from the surface.
- After leveling the base, we lay geotextiles . It will prevent weeds from growing into the tile joints.
- Pour a sand cushion , spill it with water and tamp it down. After this, we level its surface with a profile, relying on pipes or beams installed at the required distance from each other.
- Preparing the mixture from 1 part cement and 3 parts sand, which we lay on the base and screed using an I-beam or channel.
- We start laying the tiles from the curb in the direction “away from us” . Starting row lay it out clearly along the cord installed along the chamfer. In this case, you can use 1-2mm crosses to form seams of the same thickness. To ensure the required height, sand is added or removed with a trowel, compacting it as you work. At the same time, do not forget to constantly monitor the quality of installation using a level and a mallet. If you need to join the tiles to other buildings, then, if necessary, they can be trimmed with a grinder with a circle installed for working on stone.
- After the last row is laid, fill the seams sand-cement mixture and fill them with water.
Border installed along the edges sidewalk path, will prevent the tiles from moving and maintain the integrity of the structure. During operation, sand can be washed out of the seams with water, so it will be necessary to add it periodically.
Wooden garden path
Many summer residents think about how to make garden paths from wood, because this is inexpensive and available material always at hand. In addition, you can use not only classic version in the form of installed cuts, but also to install beautiful and functional paths in the country, for example, from such improvised material as Euro pallets.
The material for the cuts can be either a purchased log house or fallen trees from the grove located next to the site. A chainsaw will help you make wooden garden paths at low cost; you don’t have to buy it if you can ask a friend for help.
To arrange the path, follow the following instructions:
- We mark the place for the path and dig a trench 10-20 cm deep.
- We lay waterproofing taking into account covering not only the bottom, but also the slopes.
- For drainage, fill the bottom of the trench with crushed stone.
- Pour a 10 cm layer of sand as a cushion under the cuts.
- We install the cuts, alternating thick logs with thin branches to fill the space as much as possible.
- We fill the gaps between the cuts with sand.
You can install the saw cuts in such a way that they top part will rise 3-5 cm above the surface. A path of this type will be much less dirty in slush and rain.
In the video you can often see how great a garden path made of wooden boards looks. But material such as Euro pallets is excellent for our purposes, and the cost of such material only includes its delivery to the site. At the same time, pallets are made from durable wood, which, when treated with antiseptics, can last a long time.
To prepare the boards, they are cut into 50 cm pieces, sanded, processed protective agent and painted or varnished. The flooring itself is performed according to the following algorithm:
- Logs are made from wooden blocks, which are fastened together with the same bars, using “half-wood” knitting.
- Cover the structure bitumen mastic, which will protect the frame from rotting. The same mastic is used to cover bottom part boards
- Lay the boards, leaving a gap of 10-20 mm between them for water drainage.
- Additionally, the path is coated with varnish or paint.
When driving nails, try to bury their heads into the wood as deeply as possible. This will allow you to walk along the path barefoot without fear of getting hurt.
Prices for forms and materials
Everything you need for arranging garden paths can be found in the appropriate sections of the store. Leroy Merlin. “Garden paths” and other sections of the catalog contain hundreds of items necessary tools and materials. At the same time, it should be noted that the prices are quite affordable.
Thus, the cost of a mold for a garden path in Leroy is 507 rubles, which, you see, is quite inexpensive, given its reusable use. A concrete mixer, of course, will cost you more - a 120 liter unit costs 5,690 rubles, but it will greatly facilitate concrete work.
Concrete dyes
Dyes for concrete start at 603 rubles. for a 700 g jar, while plasticizers can be purchased for a minimal price - 149 rubles. for a container weighing 600 g. The store’s consultants will be able to answer questions about how to make paths at the dacha with your own hands or tell you about the features of using certain materials. A form for a garden path, purchased from Leroy Merlin, will allow you to save quite a significant amount when arranging paths in your garden.
If you have not yet decided how to make a path in your dacha, look at the gallery of photos located on our website. Interesting solutions using in various ways arrangement of garden paths will help you choose the most best option, make the necessary changes to it and create your own unique design. And maybe soon a photo of your particular site will appear in the first lines of search results.
Hard to imagine country cottage area without a beautifully landscaped garden path. With its help, you can divide the site into zones, fence flower beds or beds, arrange a place for a dining ensemble on fresh air, build a platform for cars. After all, in inclement weather it is convenient to run along the path without getting bogged down in the soft ground and without leaving unsightly footprints. We invite you to find out how to make a garden path using a form.
Step-by-step instructions: garden path
You can arrange a garden path yourself using ready-made forms, into the design of which the solution is poured. This method is this moment is the most budget-friendly and common among owners who prefer to equip the space with their own hands. The advantage of ready-made forms is that they are made of durable plastic, have a wide variety of designs, convenient sizes for work (60x60x6 or 40x40x4 cm), and are available in the retail chain.
So, the first stage is preparing the space for the future path. At the place of its intended location, markings are made, marking the limits with pegs with taut rope. First of all, you need to assess the density of the soil. If the soil is dense, it will be enough to pour sand and a thin layer of fine crushed stone about five cm and tamp everything down well.
If the soil is loose, then you will have to carry out the following measures: dig a ditch along the width of the tiles, adding to the border, and deepening it by 8-12 cm. Then the soil in the dug ditch is compacted, sand and crushed stone are poured in a layer of 5 to 9 cm, everything is compacted again . While performing this work, you must ensure that the soil does not settle, otherwise all the work will go down the drain. This additional bedding is made under the car area.
The next stage is installing the form on the surface. The embankment of sand and crushed stone is moistened for compaction. If this happens car area, fiber fiber is laid on the sand or reinforced mesh. The mold is lubricated with a special lubricant, which makes it easier to remove. This lubricant can be replaced with soap solution or machine oil. The mold is treated with a special lubricant once, with machine oil after 2-3 pours, and with a soap solution before each new pour. Moisten the sand again and carefully place the mold on it, pressing it slightly.
Cement mortar is often strengthened with crushed stone, plasticizer, fiber reinforced, using following proportions: cement 1 x sand 3 x crushed stone 4 parts; cement 1 x sand 4 x plasticizer according to the instructions. The use of crushed stone or plasticizer reduces cement consumption. It should be noted that the use of a plasticizer increases the resistance of the solution to moisture and temperature, and improves the appearance of the tiles.
Watch the video: Making a garden path
When preparing the solution, mix the dry ingredients, adding water until the consistency of sour cream. It is important not to overfill the water, because... this will cause cracks to appear. You can decorate the tiles by adding color to the solution. The dye can be completely dissolved in the solution, you can only stir it slightly - you will get stains, or you can scatter it over the uncured surface of the tile.
The cement mortar is evenly spread into the mold, avoiding voids, and the top is carefully leveled. Remove the mold when the solution has set a little, after about half an hour, holding it diagonally. To make the mold easier to remove, you can tap it lightly. Then the steps are repeated.
You can walk on the finished path after a week, park your car after 20 days. To complete the work, the seams between the path tiles are filled with sand or soil. Everything is compacted well.
Photo of a garden path according to shape
It’s quite simple to do, so you can try to arrange it yourself at minimal cost. The advantage of such a path is that its cost is lower than that of finished tiles, and you can independently adjust its width and length. Experiment, then your summer cottage will not only be beautiful, but also convenient for carrying out gardening work and rest.