Do-it-yourself tile garden path technology. Tile path in the country house. Recipes from experts. Width of sidewalk paths

Paving slabs for paths in the country are made from the most different materials. Rubber, wood, stone, concrete - they all have their own pros and cons, different types, manufacturing nuances and installation specifics, which you need to be aware of in order to be able to choose. The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to choose the material that is suitable for your dacha, making the area around the house not just utilitarian, but also beautiful.

You also need to take into account color, shape, size, installation methods, and other nuances with which you can turn design planning into a creative process and searching for beautiful combinations. But the easiest place to start is with materials.

Types of tiles

Before purchasing, it is important to consider all the nuances of a particular type. Let's consider the most current tile options.

Plastic

Plastic is the cheapest existing materials in any area. It does not require complex processing, polymers for it are cheap, operational properties As a result, they are not too high, but the price compensates for them.

There are different types:

Modular. Looks like honeycomb light tiles bright color, which has special fastenings to connect disparate modules into a single fabric. The material is pure plastic. The cost is very low. It looks cheap, but within two or three years it becomes unusable because it is unstable to temperature changes, easily cracks from frost, and melts from heat. It has a specific advantage - it will not be possible to slip on it if it is not completely covered with ice.

Polymer sand. Looks like solid plastic tiles in bright colors, also with fastenings. The material is plastic mixed with sand in different proportions. The cost is small, but more expensive than modular. It also looks cheap because the plates still look plastic. Not suitable for an old wooden or stone house; it would only be appropriate for a house covered with siding. More resistant to temperature changes and lasts longer. It has a specific disadvantage - it is very easy to slip on it, since the surface remains smooth.

Decking. He's the same terrace board. It looks like wooden parquet and consists of two layers. Below there are modular tiles with fasteners, on top there are several planks with gaps to allow moisture to pass through. The material is plastic mixed with wood shavings in different proportions, most often one to four. It is quite expensive, looks respectable and beautiful, on par with natural wooden surface. This is the main plus - aesthetics in the absence of the main disadvantages of wood.

Plastic tiles in general have a list of advantages:

But there are also disadvantages:

Instability to sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions. Plastic fades in the sun, cracks due to ice formed in the cracks, swells in the heat, and can become deformed.
Instability to aggressive chemicals. Household acid spilled on the coating will cause it to deform.
Inability to bear heavy weight. It can easily withstand a person, but not a car.
Fragility. It wears out much faster than rubber and concrete coatings.
Unaesthetic. In very rare cases, plastic tiles look good unless they are decking.

Advice

Plastic - good decision, if you don’t want to spend a lot of time and effort on styling. You can put it near outbuildings in the depths of the site, forgetting about the problem of paths for several years.

Rubber

For the manufacture of rubber tiles, recycled materials are used - those that have served their purpose. car tires. Its price is higher not only than that of plastic, but also than that of cheap clinker or concrete tiles.

The advantages include:

Safety. Rubber is a soft material that makes it difficult to get injured if you fall on it. If children or elderly people are relaxing at the dacha, rubber paths will be very convenient for them.
Durability. Rubber wears out slowly and has a service life of ten years.
Ease of installation and repair. Rubber does not have fastenings, like plastic, but it cannot break, does not require special alignment, and is easily replaced if any element of the finished track fails.

Resistant to temperature changes and moisture. Rubber does not melt in the sun, does not crack in frost, and is completely insensitive to moisture. Doesn't rot.
Light weight and resistance to mechanical damage. Rubber cannot be broken, cannot be crushed, and is easy to transport without worrying about being careful. It does not crack and can easily withstand the weight of not only a person, but also a machine.
Resistant to ultraviolet radiation and chemicals. It will not fade in the sun, nor will it be damaged if gasoline or household acid is spilled on the path.
Noise insulation. For paths in the country, this factor is not so important, but if you are annoyed by loud sounds, the clicking of heels, the noise of steps, choosing rubber is a good solution, since they are completely muffled.

But no material is perfect, rubber also has disadvantages:

Lack of ice resistance. In summer you can’t slip on rubber even after rain, but in winter, when ice freezes on top, it’s just as easy to fall on it as on a slippery stone path.
Flammability. Rubber burns, although it takes time to burn. In the process it emits black, choking smoke.
Possible dishonesty of the manufacturer. While concrete tiles will simply be brittle and obvious, poorly made rubber may ooze harmful substances. Therefore, its quality must be checked especially carefully.

Advice

Rubber is a good option to lay near the pool or in a place where children will play. But to make this material aesthetically pleasing enough for a front yard requires considerable effort.

Made from natural stone

Natural stone is made simply - it is simply crushed and leveled to create beautiful shapes. Apply:

slate;
quartzite;
granite;
shungite

For people who don't mind spending money, there is an option to pave the paths with marble.

The stone has its advantages:

Durability. Natural stone practically does not wear out - this can be seen on the paving stones of old cities, which were laid many centuries ago. The paths made from it are virtually eternal, the maximum that can happen to them after a couple of decades of rain and snow is that the beautiful, even shape can become somewhat freer, and grass will grow between the slabs.
Natural beauty. A natural stone - beautiful material, which can only be compared with a tree. It is not painted like artificial materials, but the simplicity, naturalness of its colors in itself looks good, especially if you choose them tastefully, so that they match the garden and buildings.
Insensitive to moisture. Nothing will happen to the stone, even if it lies in the mud or in a puddle for six months.
Insensitivity to temperature changes, ultraviolet radiation, and ice. The stone does not crack, does not fade, does not melt - nothing can happen to it.
Reliability. Stone tiles cannot be broken; a person or a car can either walk on it - it will withstand any weight.

But of course there are disadvantages:

Uniformity of color. Yes, the natural colors of stone are beautiful with their veins, with their different scales, with their variety of shades. But the brightness that it has artificial material, the abundance of colors with which you can lay out any design or pattern is not typical for them.
Heavy weight. Stone is a heavy material. It needs to be loaded onto vehicle, you need to unload, you need to lay out paths for them - all this requires human labor, time, effort. In addition, not every foundation will support a stone.
High price. Natural stone is an expensive material, especially some of its varieties, which are usually the most beautiful. Using a different coating may be much cheaper.
Insensitivity to some biological threats. Moss may grow on the stone, fungus or mold may grow. This in itself will not harm him, but it may change general form paths for the worse.
Difficulties with form. Hard types of stone are difficult to cut into tiles of the same size and shape, so they are often sold in a rather bizarre form, with many angles, and irregular curves. It will take some effort to make a decent path out of this chaos.
Icing. The stone does not have any protection from ice; even in summer, some varieties of it can cause you to slip and fall.

Advice

Stone is a universal material. It is better not to place it near water sources, but otherwise it will look good in any area of the site.

Clinker

Paving slabs that came from Holland, invented back in the nineteenth century. Made from clay mixed with dyes - first formed, under high pressure pushing through the hole, then firing once. The resulting result is highly dense and has a whole list of advantages:

High durability. Clinker wears out almost as long and reluctantly as natural stone. You can walk on it for decades before the effect is visible.
Durability. Can last almost as long as natural stone. Neither rain, nor wind, nor the scorching sun can harm it.
Resistant to temperature changes and frost. No heat, no cold, no ice will affect clinker, just like biological threats.
Variety of colors, shapes. Clinker is made artificially, so it can be given any color and any shape, from banal plain rectangles to fancy polygons with complex patterns.

The cast variety is considered somewhat more fragile, but big difference between results technological processes No.

They have the same advantages:

Variability. Many colors, many shapes, patterns on the surface - concrete tiles are perhaps the most diverse and can even be made to order.
Low price. Compared to stone and clinker, concrete begins to look like a cheap solution, although, of course, it costs more than rubber and plastic.
Sustainability. Does not suffer from temperature changes, is not susceptible to biological threats, does not fade in the sun, does not crack under ice, and wears out for a long time.

There are, of course, disadvantages:

Relative fragility. Concrete begins to crack and crumble earlier than clinker and natural stone - these are its characteristics. This happens especially quickly if the product was produced in one region and used in another.
Difficulties in installation. If a mistake was made during the installation process, it will be difficult to correct it and you will have to start from the very beginning.

Advice

Concrete is a universal material that is suitable for any part of the site.

Planning and design

If you can choose a material based on the general idea of the site and tastes, then you won’t be able to do the same with the other characteristics. The design of the tile should match the design of everything else, it should fit into the overall concept.

To make this possible, planning must be approached consistently:

Draw up a site plan. It needs to be marked with a house, outbuildings, the largest flower beds and beds - everything that has at least some relation to the landscape.
Make a plan for future paths. Paths should lead from the house to outbuildings and to the gate, and they should go the way the inhabitants of the house walk, and not the way it seems beautiful on the plan. Avoid large obstacles, take into account “little things” such as a branch hanging over the place where the path should pass.
Assess prospects. Based on the plan, you can figure out what the tiles should be like to make everyone comfortable. If there is a well or a swimming pool on the site, you need to take a rough texture and material that is not afraid of moisture. If the site has weak soil that crumbles easily and does not hold weight well, it is better to forget about natural stone. Also estimate the budget of the enterprise and whether cars will drive along the paths, think about the maximum temperature difference. How much heat and how much cold will the walkway have to endure? How long will they walk on it?

The rate of abrasion depends on how long they walk. From maximum temperatures and drop - the necessary frost resistance. If a car will drive along the paths, the tiles should be thicker. And how expensive it will be depends on the budget.

Having decided what they should be specifications, you can move on to more pleasant and complex matters: design.

You need to take into account:

Advice

According to the standards, pedestrian paths should be no narrower than seventy-five centimeters so that an adult can safely walk along them.

When the plan is ready and the final installation pattern has been selected, you can begin the selection.

Nuances of choosing tiles

First you need to navigate the exact characteristics. Size, shape, frost resistance, wear resistance - you should know all this before going to the store. And already directly in the store, you need to imagine what it should look like good tiles, how it differs from low-quality one and what documents to ask from the seller.

Characteristics

Each tile has a set of characteristics that need to be taken into account when purchasing. The first of these is size. Exists:

Small. This is good because you can use it to lay out any pattern or design on a narrow country path, and also because you don’t have to think much about the base and whether it will hold up. But there is also a big disadvantage - more labor will be required. After all, laying three large tiles in a row is much easier than forming a row of ten small ones.
Average. Universal option. The drawing will no longer work, but a beautiful complex pattern will do just fine. There is no need to think about the foundation yet; installation difficulties should not arise either. Ten by ten centimeters is an example of a good medium tile.
Big. The patterns are only the simplest, and you will have to think about the base - if it is not strong and even enough, the tile may sag on one side or crack. But if you have the energy and time to prepare, and you prefer the monochromatic beauty of a geometric order to complex patterns, this is a good choice.

Medium product size - universal option

After the size, you should decide what the shape should be:

Square. For square tiles, simple patterns are suitable - they can be laid out in a checkerboard pattern or created like a brick pattern. It is best if they are colorful and this will make them look more fun.
Rectangular. You can also lay it out in a checkerboard pattern, but it won’t be as impressive, but a brick pattern, herringbone pattern, or laying it in waves will look good. You can create a pattern using different colors.
Wild stone. This is what tiles are called natural stone, which are made not by shape, but by how the stone was split. You won’t get any patterns with them, and you’ll have to make an effort to form a path. To make the work easier, you can first do it on paper.
Complex shapes. Clover, hexagons, circles, stars - they are all patterns in themselves. It is enough to simply arrange them according to the picture.

Very small tiles can be used to make a meaningful design, regardless of the shape - stained glass is made using the same principle. Also, if you want to do something specific, fantasy, invented on your own, for which there is no required forms, you can always contact the manufacturer and place an order.

It will cost twice as much as a regular product - or even five, depending on the complexity of the form.

Then you should select the thickness:

From two to four centimeters. Used for pedestrian paths. If you are going to lay paths in your dacha solely for the purpose of walking on them, this option is suitable for you.
From six to eight centimeters. Can withstand very intensively moving people or a car. It's hardly needed at the dacha.
From eight to ten. Withstands the weight of any car, it is usually used in enterprises, gas stations and in personal yards where the car will be parked.

You definitely don’t need thick tiles for your dacha - and that’s good, because the thicker they are, the more expensive they are.

Afterwards you need to select purely technical parameters. The abrasion resistance is indicated on the packaging; the higher it is, the more reliable the track you will get. Frost resistance is indicated next to it - the value shows how many freezing-defrosting cycles the tiles can withstand.

The best options have an indicator of more than two hundred and are worth focusing on.

The last parameter you need to pay attention to is color. It depends on how impressive the resulting path will look.

There are many options:

Having decided for yourself what the material should be according to all its characteristics, you can go to the store and select a specific batch there.

What to look for when purchasing?

The tiles must not only match the design of the site, they must also meet quality standards. Determining whether they are going to deceive you is quite simple. Need to:

Ask the seller for documentation. Any batch of goods must be accompanied by a certificate of conformity, which will confirm that it is manufactured in accordance with state standards, as well as a test report, which contains all the information about wear resistance, frost resistance, and other qualities of the product. If the seller is fussing and trying to change the subject, there is a high probability that there is something wrong with the product - it is better to go to other people.
Check a random tile from the batch. Even if the product that is offered to you is bad, the top, visible layer in the packaging will be done well so that you will not guess anything. The request to remove the tile from the middle is normal, especially if you are ready to buy this particular package later.

If you think that laying paving slabs is a job that only professionals can do, then this review will prove you wrong. Take 10 minutes to read the article and you will know all the nuances of the technology and will be able to make tracks no worse than the specialists. There is no need for special skills or complex equipment; the main thing is to do everything carefully and follow correct sequence works

Step-by-step description of the workflow

Now let's figure out how to make paths from paving slabs in the country.

The work process can be divided into several stages:

Planning and layout of the territory;
Acquisition necessary materials and tools;
Preparation of the base;
Laying tiles;
Leveling the surface and sealing seams.

Now let's move on to a detailed consideration of each stage.

Stage 1 - planning paths and marking the area

This is the preparatory part, which will greatly help us in the future.

As part of this stage, the following work is performed:

You should have a site plan at hand, or rather, you should transfer it to Blank sheet paper. Just draw, on the correct scale, the configuration of the area where the work will be carried out. On the sketch, indicate all objects that can create interference and that need to be avoided;
Garden paths are located so that it is convenient for you to move and that they go around all natural obstacles. If you have already lived on the site for a year or two, then the location of the paths is easy to determine: wherever you often walk, there will be trodden paths. You only need to reflect them on the project to see the approximate amount of work;

Layout diagram garden paths should provide for their width. Immediately determine the size of the sites. As for the width, where people often walk, it should be a meter and a half, and where movement is infrequent, you can limit yourself to 75-80 centimeters. If you drive along the path with a car, then take into account its dimensions and add a margin of half a meter on each side;

You also need to decide what tiles will be used and how they will be installed. Competently combining and choosing interesting scheme styling, you can make beautiful paths. There are a lot of options, below are just a few examples that are popular and used quite often;

Once you have decided on the location of the paths and their configuration, you can begin to lay out the area. First of all, you need to drive pegs into the places where the paths begin, and then place them along the entire length at a distance of 2-3 meters from each other. If you have a lot of bends, then the pegs are located closer to accurately mark the configuration of the future structure;

The cord is stretched at a height of 10-20 cm above ground level. You can use any twine or fishing line, the main thing is to set the contours of the path so that later you can clearly see where the work needs to be done;

If you need to make semi-circular corners, you can use the simple method shown in the diagram below. A peg is driven in the middle, a cord of the required length is tied to it with the same peg or a simple stick, and a curve is drawn. Everything is simple and at the same time precise.

Since you will be digging a trench along the marking line, the pegs need to be driven to a depth of 35-40 cm. Then, when preparing the bed under the path, they will not fall and will stand as expected.

Stage 2 – purchasing the necessary materials and tools

Material	Recommendations for selection
Paving slabs	It should be remembered that paving slabs for paths in the country, it is selected depending on the load on the surface. If cars will drive on the surface at least sometimes, then the thickness of the elements should be 70-80 mm, and if people will walk along the paths, then 50-60 mm will be enough. Street tiles do not have a huge number of colors, but if you wish, you can find unusual options
Curbstone	Before choosing borders, you should decide on the tiles. Then you will know the color of the paths and will be able to choose the optimal frame for them. I do not recommend installing without borders, as the process will be much more difficult
Crushed stone or gravel	If you use crushed stone, then take the options of small or medium fraction. As for gravel, the standard composition is suitable; all large stones must be removed from it before use. I recommend using the first option as it creates a stronger foundation
Construction sand	There are no special requirements here. The main thing is that the composition does not contain plant roots and pieces of clay.
Geotextiles	With the help of this material we will strengthen the base and improve moisture removal. This will prevent the paths from subsiding and being washed away during heavy rainfall.
Cement	The composition of the M400 or M500 brand should be used. With its help we will make a mixture for the base and filling the joints after installation

Now let's look at the tools that you will need to lay paving slabs:

Roulette, level and rule;
Rubber or wooden mallet;

Trowel;
Hose with diffuser or garden waterer;
Rake and broom;
Profile or rail for leveling the surface;
Tamping, you can do the manual version, but it is much easier to rent equipment, it is inexpensive.

Stage 3 - preparing the base

A very important part of the workflow, which consists of the following actions:

Removing soil to the required depth;
Installation of curb;
Construction of a cushion under the tiles.

Let's analyze each stage in detail and start with digging a trench for the path:

The turf is broken through the rope with a shovel; you need to hold the bayonet vertically and make an even line to a depth of at least 20 cm. That is, first of all, the top layer is cut through and a reference point is set;

Next, you need to remove the soil; the depth of the trench should be approximately 30 centimeters below the level of the future path. It is important to carefully remove excess soil; the easiest way to start is with two strips along the cord. This way you will remove the earth on the sides, and it will be easier to carry out work in the middle;

The soil is removed over the entire area where the tiles will be laid. During the work process, periodically check the level to remove the soil approximately equally.

Now let's figure out how to install a border:

Since the height of the sides is greater than the tiles at the edges, you need to make trenches 15 cm below the already dug surface. The width of the trench should be approximately the width of a shovel, this is quite enough to install the sides;
First, approximately 20 cm of crushed stone is poured, it is leveled and compacted, and 5 cm of sand is poured on top. After this, you can pour water on the surface and compact it, controlling the plane with a level. It is important to make a level base on which the border will be located;
A small layer of cement mortar is applied to the sand cushion (4 parts sand to 1 part cement). After this, a curb stone is placed along the cord. It will stand stable on the solution, you just need to adjust its position;

When you place several elements, additionally check the plane with a level. This will help to align the structure evenly and clearly;

Laying continues like this until the very end. To be safe, you can apply a small amount of solution on the side. The structure must stand for about a day before the next stage of work can begin.

Now let's figure out how to make a base for tiles:

To begin with, a layer of crushed stone or gravel 15 cm thick is poured. After this, the material is evenly distributed over the surface and compacted. You can work with both special equipment and manual device from a piece of log with a handle. It is important to compact the crushed stone well over the entire area where it is laid;

A layer of geotextile material is laid on top of the crushed stone. It will create a barrier for sand to penetrate the crushed stone and improve surface drainage. Laying is very easy: the canvas is spread across the width of the path. At the joints, for reliability, make overlaps of 10-15 cm;

A layer of river or construction sand 5 cm thick is poured over the insulating layer. It must be carefully leveled and moistened with a hose or sprinkler. After this, the final leveling and compaction of the sand cushion is carried out. It is important to make a smooth and solid base;

Lastly, a layer of dry cement-sand mixture is poured, which is prepared from 4 parts sand and 1 part cement. The composition is evenly distributed over the surface; the easiest way is to level it with a homemade lath. It is done simply: a board is cut to the width of the border, cutouts are made in it so that it goes down to required level. Then you simply smooth the surface, ensuring the uniformity of the cement-sand mixture.

If you have unstable or heaving soil, then it is better to place geotextiles not only under sand, but also under crushed stone. Two layers of material will strengthen the surface and prevent subsidence of crushed stone into soft soil.

Stage 4 – laying tiles

If you have done the preparation correctly, installation will be quick and easy.

The work consists of the following actions:

Work starts from the extreme point. You should lay the tiles in front of you so as not to step on the previously prepared base. First, the first row is laid out; you must press the elements tightly against each other and make sure that they are located in one line;

The row is aligned along the line, after which the plane is checked. If necessary individual elements tapped to level the surface. If any tile has sagged, then it must be lifted, then with a trowel, put a little cement-sand mixture and level it;

If you have straight tiles, the easiest way is to lay them row by row, using a strip as a guide. Everything is simple here: the two outer tiles are laid, the reference point rests on them and is pressed on the other side so that it does not move. Then along the line you can lay out a row very quickly, and at the same time it will be perfectly even;

If the tiles are laid diagonally, then the easiest way to guide is to stretch a cord along one of the joints. It simply presses the tile against the edge and helps you see if you are laying the row evenly. To better understand this option, a diagram is shown below;

If cutting tiles is required, this process is carried out after laying all intact elements. The work is done using a special gas cutter or grinder with a disc for concrete. The element is marked and then carefully cut along the line; the work is not difficult, but noisy and dusty.

Stage 5 – leveling the surface and sealing the seams

When the installation work is completed, you can begin the finishing part of the process.

Everything is quite simple here:

To begin with, the surface is checked with a long, level rod or rule. If there are protruding areas, they should be leveled using rubber mallet. Differences should be minimal, so do not continue work until you check the path in all directions;

Then a sand-cement mixture is prepared, which is poured in a small layer onto the surface. The easiest way to hammer the compound into the joints is with a hard-bristled brush. Simply treat the surface so that the sand gets into all the cracks, after which the excess is carefully swept away;

Next, the surface is well wetted with a hose or sprinkler. It may turn out that in some cases the mixture will shrink, then you need to apply it again and moisten the tile again. Drying takes 2-3 days, during which time the mixture sets and a very durable surface is obtained.

Conclusion

After reading the review, you can easily lay paving slabs with your own hands. The process is simple and does not require much experience or special skills.

One of the most popular and in demand building materials used for landscaping dacha areas is tile. Paths laid out from such material are durable and beautiful, while the technology for laying them does not require special professionalism, therefore, if desired, it is understandable and accessible to everyone. The range of tiles for country paths presented on domestic market, allows you to select the most suitable option corresponding to certain external characteristics, technical parameters and financial capabilities.

Types of tiles for country paths

Variety of tiles you can use for paving paths at the dacha is large, therefore, without creating a certain classification, it is quite difficult to make a choice in favor of one type or another. So, depending on material manufacturing distinguishes the following types of tiles intended for laying paths, namely:

paving slabs;
polymer sand tiles;
rubber tile.

Paving slabs based on concrete mixture. This is probably The most common a type of tile that has an affordable price and acceptable performance indicators. Can be produced in two different technologies - vibration casting and vibrocompression. The technology of making tiles by vibration casting involves pouring a concrete mixture in special forms, which are placed on a vibrating table.

After the composition has settled, the tiles are dried. about 12 hours in a warm place. The main advantage of this material is appearance, which can please the eye various forms, texture and color. A significant disadvantage can be called low performance strength and frost resistance. By the way, such tiles are quite easy to make at home, which is what savvy summer residents actually use.

Vibration pressing is considered more advanced technology, which provides the tiles with proper strength and stability to sudden changes in temperature. Concrete mix poured into a mold, which can be constantly compacted until the solution reaches a characteristic density. The disadvantages include meager color scheme and a small number of forms.

Polymer sand tiles

The main difference from the types of tiles described above is the replacement of the primary binding element of cement with a polymer component. Because of which are increasing significantly performance qualities of this material. Possess high level heat resistance, no slipping, high strength and low level of surface abrasion. Compared to concrete tiles have greater plasticity, which eliminates the possibility of cracking;

The production technology of this material arose relatively recently, but there are no disadvantages except, of course, high cost really amazing. This coating can last more than 10 years without any changes in color or texture. Rubber tiles has elasticity and safety from injury, which is especially important in winter season, and rich color palette able to please everyone.

Any of the above types of tiles can have varied texture and the most popular forms of tiles for paths in the country are:

coil;
square;
wave.

Cost and technical characteristics

The price range inherent in tiles for paths allows you to satisfy any financial requests, so let's look at what the building materials market can offer us today.

The greatest demand is for vibropressed paving slabs, which have the most reasonable cost and technical indicators:

its density is 2000 kg/m 3;
frost resistance is within 200 cycles;
abrasion index does not exceed 0.55 g/cm2;
water absorption reaches 6%;
the cost of such material, depending on color, shape and thickness, varies from 320 to 580 rubles/m2.

Vibro-cast paving slabs have an acceptable cost, which varies from 300 to 400 rub./m2, which goes without saying about lower operational indicators, namely:

the average density of the material is about 2300 kg/m3;
abrasion coefficient - 0.2 g/cm2;
frost resistance - from 250 to 400 cycles.

Polymer sand slabs have more high parameters, while their cost is not much different from the previous options:

average density is about 1780 kg/m3;
mass water absorption no more than 0.15%;
abrasion index 0.1 g/cm2;
frost resistance exceeds 100 cycles;
the price for this type of product is set in the range of 480−600 rubles/m2.

Rubber tiles have the highest operational characteristics, as evidenced by their cost, which on average is 1650 rub./m 2, which is three times more compared to concrete and polymer-sand material.

The density of the rubber coating can vary from 850 to 1000 kg/m3 depending on customer requirements;
frost resistance exceeds 200 cycles;
indicators of abrasion, resistance to mechanical damage And permissible loads superior all expectations.

Technology for laying paths from paving slabs

Laying paving slabs does not require any specific knowledge and extensive experience, therefore, armed with patience and good spirits, you can begin to prepare all the necessary materials and tools. So, for fruitful work you will need:

In general, the entire technology can be divided into certain stages the essence of which is described below:

As you can see, there is nothing supernatural about laying a path at your dacha yourself, so you shouldn’t delay it so much. exciting activity and get to work faster. After all, the result will definitely please you, and the finished track, when proper care, will serve you faithfully more than one year.

Do you know how a woman goes shopping? I went in the evening for kefir and returned with sausage, a cake, a bottle of martini, plus a package of juice as a gift. Maybe along the way you’ll see some jars for bulk products in a nearby store. In principle, she didn’t need them, but she liked the drawing. That’s exactly how I went to the supermarket today to buy essential groceries. Everything was strictly according to the list until I wandered into the sale department. Imagine, I walk in, and there they are... Lanterns for the dacha solar powered! Since I am an incorrigible summer resident and shopaholic, I simply could not resist such temptation.

And immediately mentally flew to her site. Evening descends on the earth, crickets begin to sing in the jasmine bush, the delicate aroma of night violets becomes entangled with clouds of smoke from the barbecue. As soon as the sun sets, spherical lanterns turn on along the sides of the main alley. Their light is still dim, but when it gets completely dark, they will illuminate the path well. Okay, stop! A path... This creepy path, trodden between the flower beds, will be proudly called the dacha alley? Well, no, it urgently needs to be planned and improved.

How to choose tiles for a walkway

I jumped out of the grocery store like a bullet and rushed to the construction market. First you need to think about how to arrange the paths on the site. My dacha is not large in area. Landscape designers advise in such cases to abandon straight alleys. After all, straight lines will simply connect the gate with the house, the gazebo with the play area. Boring! To visually enlarge the space, small area It’s better to make ornate paths with rounded turns. For large estates, rectangular alleys that go around flower beds and lawns of regular geometric shape are ideal. Moreover, they should not cross the central part of green spaces.

How to lay tiles

How to lay a tile path? There is a whole technology for laying country paths. In principle, nothing complicated, if I wish, I can handle this task myself. First of all, you should make markings on the ground - draw the contours of the future alley. Wooden pegs or stretched rope will do. Then carefully remove the top layer of soil with a shovel. The borders need to be made perfectly even - remember drawing lessons. We remove at least 10 cm of turf, sand will be poured in its place, builders call it a sand cushion. It is carefully compacted and paving slabs for the dacha are laid on top. The only tool that is used is a mallet.

Choice of material - types of tiles

Summer residents have widest choice materials from which to make paths on the site. Most Popular:

a natural stone,
wood (boards or saw cuts),
paving stones,
plastic,
concrete,
brick,
gravel.

Any design specialist will tell you: you need to choose the material from which garden tiles are made, taking into account general style site design. Your country house made of brick? Lay out a red brick path to it. Are you implementing eco-design ideas? Use wood cuts against a green background lawn grass. Do you want to make an alley with patterns? Multi-colored paving stones are best suited for this purpose.

A universal material is stone. It fits perfectly into any style of country landscape. The main requirement here is that at least one edge of the stone be smooth. An alley made of natural stone is durable, this is its most important advantage.

Wooden path

As road tiles wood can be used. Densely stacked wood cuts look very beautiful. You can use circles of the same diameter or trees of different thicknesses. Another option is boards of any shape and size. They can be painted, which will give you the opportunity to update your dacha at least every season.

Paving stone path

Most best option for the path - paving stones, paving slabs that can withstand temperature changes, high humidity and heavy loads. Its main advantage is that paving slabs for a summer house will allow you to create beautiful patterns on your path.

But for those who like to save money, paving stones are not suitable. Since this material must be purchased with a good supply. The fact is that if a defect is even slightly noticeable on a separate tile, it can no longer be used. The slightest crack will cause great damage, and this is fraught with problems.

Brick path

If you like “patterned” alleys, you can use them as building material brick. Such tiles for paths in the country are laid on a mortar, unlike all other types. You definitely need to make a border on the sides of the alley, otherwise it will disappear in a couple of years.

By the way, the lanterns I chose, which we talked about at the very beginning (remember?), will fit perfectly with any path. Whatever material I choose - be it street tiles for the dacha or eco-wood - they will favorably emphasize the romantic mood on my site. I bought flashlights, but with major repairs the alleys will have to wait. My dear readers, which option do you vote for? Maybe you are already realizing your design fantasies in your areas? Share your experience, which is better to buy tiles for a path in the country?

Country paths - 50 photos

The final stage in the design of any personal plot is the laying of beautiful paths. Such products carry both functional and aesthetic meaning. There are a huge number of variations in the arrangement of paths on summer cottage, and among them you will definitely choose the most ideal option for yourself.

Features and Benefits

Paths in the country are constantly subject to mechanical influence, therefore the material for their creation must be as durable as possible and sufficiently resistant to any load and abrasion during operation. It is for this reason that certain requirements are imposed on the tiles:

Its thickness should start from 3 cm, and if you are going to transport along such paths garden equipment, then from 4 cm and even higher. You also need to pay attention to the parameters of the product. The smaller they are, the stronger your tile will be. For large slabs, the possibility of cracks appearing quickly is quite high, unlike small ones, so it is best to choose the latter option.

The source material of the product is of great importance. It is necessary to carefully familiarize yourself with the composition of the tile itself, as well as clarify the technology for its production.

Pay your Special attention and what the tiles that are intended for paving paths in the countryside look like. If it is excessively bright in color, then it is quite possible that a lot of dye was used during production, which usually makes this kind of product rather loose and prone to rapid cracking. A very smooth surface of the tiles (for example, concrete) can lead to the fact that such a path on the site becomes extremely dangerous in the rain or in the winter. Excessive smoothness usually results from increasing the water content in the concrete mortar, which also negatively affects the quality of such street covering.

The styles of paths that are created from tiles can be the most unimaginable. The main thing is that they successfully combine with all the buildings on the site and fit perfectly into the unified design of the space.

To highlight the natural grace of the site, it is best to create paths taking into account all the plants and in harmony with all the unevenness of the terrain. Then they can be laid in any possible directions, beautifully bending around flower beds and surrounding small architectural forms. Versatility similar product will allow you to decorate your garden plot as stylishly as possible, and sometimes even exclusively.

It is also best to lay country paths in the autumn season. At this time, the soil in the garden becomes dense, so there will be no need to compact it for a long time.

Kinds

There are 3 subtypes of tiles suitable for laying in the garden:

Vibrocast. Cast paving stones are great for paving paths, but they are not able to withstand heavy loads, so they are most often used as street pedestrian pavement. During production, it can be painted in various colors, since it is made of white cement.

Vibropressed. Such tiles are significantly inferior to vibrocast tiles in the variety of colors and shapes, but are significantly superior to them in strength. Most often used as road surface.

Hyper-pressed. The method of producing such tiles has high performance, is almost entirely automated, which reduces production costs. This is the cheapest tile.

In addition to tiles, for paving paths in your garden plot, you will also have to purchase a border to give the coating a complete look. You will have to choose between two main types of border tiles:

Traditional;

Pencil.

A traditional border is a product in the form of a short rectangle. They are used for horizontal installation.

A pencil border is laid at the junction of 2 materials to create smooth transition from one to another.

Shapes and design

For installation of neat paths on personal plots different types of products are used. You can become the owner of a colored or one-color product, purchase relief tiles, with outlandish patterns or perforated (with holes), with very smooth surface or matte.

The most popular options include the following types of products:

Paving stones. It differs from other types in ease of installation and practicality. With time this material It will definitely acquire an interesting “aging” effect, which will look great when decorating an area in a country style. Tiles of different colors will allow you to create original ensembles with intricate patterns.
"Gzhelka" is an unusual model with beautiful repetition of patterns that change in size.

"Scales", as well as mesh and cobwebs are the most original options
"Tuchka" has a pattern that copies the earthen surface.

Classic look tiles can be smooth or rough. The image consists of 4 sectors, which are separated by stripes. Patterned paths that run through alleys and arches made of properly selected vegetation will give a fabulous atmosphere to the entire space of the site. The area around your home laid with symmetrical tiles guarantees the effect of amazing cleanliness and neatness.
Option "kaso" will help create an image in the popular Gothic style.

Element "parquet" differs in relief surface.
"Honeycomb" in the shape of a hexagon, they require a lot of time to install, but the end result is very pleasing to the eye.

"Wave" has a wavy carved surface and is very similar to slate.
"Fleece" stands out with its unusual but elegant ornamentation.

When installing and decorating the path, you need to consider a number of rules:

It must be fully compatible with uniform style suburban area and be the main component between the various elements of the garden area.

Each coating has its own specific length and width, which must be taken into account when making the final choice.
Smooth paths are not suitable for any design. The best option for decoration may be winding paths.

It is best that the paths are installed at the same level as the flowerbed, lawn, or even slightly lower. You can place benches and stylish lamps near them.

Statues of birds and animals will significantly enliven the dacha space. Flowerbeds or stylish borders of small flowers are also used to decorate paths.

The tile installation pattern can be in a checkerboard pattern or in the form of a neat herringbone. Laying chaotically is suitable for decorating a landscape in a popular rustic style.

To give a special look to your site, the paths on it should be planned and created in a well-thought-out design. You should know that decorating the area around all kinds of architectural or unusual objects will look very original. For example, a platform around a small pond, laid with neat tiles, in combination with pebbles, looks quite catchy.

Patterned paths that run through alleys and arches made of properly selected vegetation will give a fabulous atmosphere to the entire space of the site. The area around your home laid with symmetrical tiles guarantees the effect of amazing cleanliness and neatness.

Modular slabs can be installed even on a regular road, and despite the fact that they will feel the load every day and various climatic conditions, such as precipitation, UV radiation, their appearance will not deteriorate even after many years of constant use.

The cost of the work may depend on the choice of a particular design style. Laying country tiles with various artistic subtleties can be called a creative matter; it requires careful development of the project landscape design. Therefore, the price of such projects can be quite high.

Materials

Nowadays, there is a huge amount of materials with which you can arrange paths in your summer cottage. The most popular of them:

natural stone,
wood,
paving stones of various types and colors,
plastic,
concrete,
brick (clinker),
gravel.

Experienced designer will tell you that you need to choose the material from which the tiles will be made for your site, taking into account the unity of the decorating style. If your dacha is made of brick, then lay a path towards it made of the same material. And if you want to embody the idea of eco-design, then use wooden flat cuts, paved against the backdrop of a green lawn. If you dream of creating an alley with unusual decorations, then choose multi-colored paving stones for it.

From gravel

You can start with one of the most simple ideas- laying country paths from gravel. To the benefits this option can be attributed to a huge selection of fractions and colors with a minimum of costs and labor effort.

From stone

The most versatile of all the materials presented is stone. It suits all decorating styles garden plot. The most important condition is that at least one of its edges has a flat surface. The stone alley is very durable, and this is its most important advantage.

Tiles from natural stone stands out for its excellent durability and density. The most commonly used are granite and marble. The “luminous” product consists of a stone with a built-in LED lamp. Such elements can easily withstand heavy loads.

Made of wood

Wood can also be used as garden tiles. Tightly laid look very stylish wooden cuts. Circles can be used different sizes. Another one interesting idea– use boards large and small. They can be painted, and if necessary, you can update your site every new season without any problems.

From paving stones

Best option for installation of paths - these are paving stones that can withstand different temperatures, high humidity and significant loads. Its main advantage is the creation of beautiful patterns on the path. But if you want to save money, paving stones are definitely not suitable for you, since this material must be purchased in large quantities. The thing is that if a crack appears on any tile, it can no longer be used. Even an imperceptible crack will cause significant deformation, which will ruin the appearance of the path.

Made of brick

If you like patterned alleys, you can use ordinary brick as a building material. Such a “tile” for a path in a country house is installed on a mortar, which distinguishes it from other types. It will be necessary to install a curb on the sides of such an alley, otherwise in 2-3 years it will “disintegrate.” Another option is to use clinker bricks. This is a very popular material for country paths: it costs little, is easy to install and has a pleasant range of colors.

Made of rubber

In the production of rubber plates, raw materials from the processing of car tires are actively used. Such tiles are distinguished by noise-absorbing qualities, and also have high frost resistance and resistance to moisture. Since rubber is considered a paintable material, it different types tiles from crumb rubber can have a wide color palette.

Made from concrete

Concrete is a truly versatile material from which you can make amazingly beautiful things. To create a garden path from unusual concrete slabs, you only need cement mortar and ordinary shape with unique decoration. Special forms for creating concrete garden paths can now be purchased in many construction stores. With their help, you can create comfortable paths throughout your garden or local area with your own hands.