Pathways & Walkways

Connecting the spaces in your yard

A walkway does more than get you from point A to point B — it organizes your yard. It tells people where to walk, keeps feet off wet grass and delicate plantings, and connects your home’s entrance, patio, garden, and side yards into a property that feels designed.

Ryan builds walkways that look right, last long, and drain properly. A walkway that pools water is a slip hazard. A walkway that channels water toward the house is a foundation problem. Ryan grades every walkway for drainage because a path that moves water is as important as a path that moves people.

Walkway materials we install

Flagstone

Natural flagstone is the premium choice and looks right at home on Altadena properties. Irregular shapes, natural color variation, and textured surfaces create a walkway that blends with the landscape. Ryan installs flagstone dry-set (on compacted gravel and sand) or wet-set (on a concrete slab) depending on traffic and budget.

• Dry-set with planted joints — ground cover or DG between stones for a relaxed, organic look
• Wet-set with mortared joints — cleaner, more formal path

Both are durable; the choice is aesthetic.

Interlocking pavers

Uniform, modular, and available in dozens of shapes and colors. Pavers create a clean, structured walkway for contemporary and traditional homes alike. Ryan installs pavers on a compacted gravel base with polymeric sand joints that resist weeds and ant intrusion.

Especially good for front walkways where a polished appearance matters. If a section settles, individual pavers can be lifted and re-leveled without tearing out the whole path.

Poured concrete

Versatile and cost-effective. Ryan pours concrete walkways with broomed, stamped, or exposed-aggregate finishes. Control joints manage cracking, and expansion joints are placed where the walkway meets the house or other structures.

Concrete works well for front entries, side yards, and any path needing a smooth, consistent surface.

Decomposed granite (DG)

A budget-friendly, permeable surface ideal for garden paths and secondary walkways. Ryan installs DG with stabilizer for a firmer surface that resists erosion. DG blends naturally with drought-tolerant landscapes and complements the foothill aesthetic of the San Gabriel Valley.

Stepping stones

Individual stones or pavers set into lawn, ground cover, or gravel. Stepping stones create an informal path without the visual weight of a continuous walkway. Ryan installs them at comfortable stride spacing on a compacted base.

What goes under your walkway

Every walkway Ryan builds follows the same base preparation process:

Excavation

Ryan excavates the path width plus a few inches on each side, digging to the correct depth for base, setting material, and surface:

• Pavers: 6-8 inches total
• Concrete: 6-8 inches for sub-base and slab
• DG paths: 3-4 inches

Compacted base

Crushed gravel goes down in 2-inch lifts, compacted between each layer. This creates a stable foundation that distributes weight evenly and resists settling. One thick layer instead of lifts produces uneven settling and cracked surfaces.

Drainage grading

Every walkway slopes to move water off the surface — minimum 1/4 inch per foot cross-slope. Ryan ensures water drains to landscape areas, not toward the house. Longer walkways may get catch basins or French drains for concentrated runoff.

Edge restraint

Pavers and DG require edge restraint to prevent migration. Ryan installs aluminum or plastic edging staked into the base along both sides. Without it, pavers spread and DG washes into the lawn within a year.

Walkway design for Altadena properties

Front entry walkways

The front walkway is your home’s first impression. Ryan designs front entries with appropriate width (at least 4 feet), quality materials, and a layout that guides visitors naturally from the street to the front door. Steps and transitions are clean, level, and well-lit.

Side yard paths

The narrow strips between house and fence that often become weedy afterthoughts. Ryan installs functional 24-36 inch wide paths that provide clean passage for trash cans, garden access, and utility reach. DG or simple concrete works well here.

Garden walkways

Paths through planting beds, around trees, and between garden areas. Typically less formal — flagstone, stepping stones, or DG — designed to follow natural circulation and integrate with the landscape.

Sloped walkways

Altadena’s terrain often means walkways that change elevation. Ryan builds stepped walkways with treads, risers, and landings that comply with code. For gradual slopes, he installs ramped paths with non-slip surfaces and drainage to prevent water from channeling down the walkway.