Porch Skirting Progress And My Favorite Sidewalk Option
I know this porch skirting project is starting to seem like the never-ending project, but yesterday, I got every last stone in place, including all of the little ones that I had to cut and reshape with my handheld grinder. And for the first time since we’ve lived in this house, every bit of the porch skirting has a pretty facade on it. I am so proud of how this project is shaping up.
I got the very last stone in place at 9:00 last night. I was exhausted, but I was so determined to get that part of the process finished before I went to bed. Here’s the front of the porch with all of those little stones in place…
And here’s the side of the porch with all of it stones in place…
And once again, just like I did on that front corner, I cut those two stones on the end with a straight cut on my wet saw, attached those, and then used the wet but firm grout mix to shape a corner by hand. But this time, I didn’t attach a poured stone to the other side. Everything you see on that back side was just created by hand using the wet grout mix.
And I didn’t forget the little area to the left of the front steps. Again, please overlook the rotting fascia boards. Those will all soon be replaced. This area was so small that it didn’t even fit one whole stone. I used most of one stone and a scrap piece from another one that I had cut off for the other side of the porch.
And then I shaped the sides by hand using nothing but the wet mortar mix.
I am so thrilled with how this is looking so far. Of course, it’s not quite finished. I still need to add the mortar between all of the stones, and then I have to wait 16 hours before I can prime and paint the stones so that they match the stones on the rest of the house. But during that waiting time, I can get the fascia boards replaced and painted.
And, of course, I have a whole lot of cleaning up to do. My front yard around the porch looks like a construction zone right now.
During this whole project, I have found myself daydreaming about other outdoor projects — landscaping, hardscaping, etc. I really want to get the walkway done sooner than later. I’m talking about the walkway that will join the front sidewalk to the driveway. I feel like I need to get that in place before I can start on any landscaping around the porch, breakfast room windows, and the front of the studio since that walkway is what separates the planting bed area from the grass (or weeds that we have now 😀 ).
I have looked at all kinds of options for these front walkways, from concrete to decomposed granite. What makes it challenging is that these walkways are part of a walking path that I want to continue as a complete loop around our entire one-acre property…
Concrete is the most obvious option, but it would cost a fortune to have someone else pour that whole thing with concrete. Of course, now that I’m a concrete expert 😀 , I actually think I could pour a concrete path on my own, so that would cut down on the cost considerably. And it wouldn’t all have to be done at the same time. I could do one section at a time between other projects until it’s all finished. That may take ten years to get all the way around our property 😀 , but I do think I could do it one section at a time. Now that I’ve done a pretty big project with concrete, I feel way less intimidated by the idea.
The good thing about concrete is that it’s wheelchair friendly for Matt. But the bad thing about concrete is that it’s really hard on the feet and legs, and since I want this to be a walking track so that I can walk laps around our yard instead of walking in the neighborhood where there are always stray dogs, I don’t really love the idea of doing the whole thing in concrete.
But yesterday, I remembered an option that I had considered when I was looking at options for our driveway. Obviously, we ended up going with concrete for our driveway, and I’m glad we did that. But I think one of the options I looked at for the driveway might be the perfect option for these walkways, and that’s the gravel option using gravel grids. The grids are really rigid plastic that hold the gravel in place creating a firm walkway. They can even be used for a driveway.
This is what the grids look like. They come in different shapes and sizes. This is a brand called Ibran from the U.K.
And once it’s all filled with gravel, it’s even wheelchair friendly. This is a screenshot from their video about the product.
I really like this idea because it can be done one section at a time, it’s DIY friendly, but most of all, I just really love gravel and the added texture, color, and charm that gravel adds. I like the look of gravel much more than I like decomposed granite.
So I think this might be the option that I go with. I’m still looking at options, and I haven’t made up my mind 100% yet, but I can envision this in my mind, and I think it would look so pretty.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
The weeds will eventually come through. 😥
Ooh, Kristi! It turned out so awesome! You should feel very proud 👏. It looks great.
Nice new pic, BTW;-)
That is how we did our back patio. We used Dupont ground grid. It folds like an accordion so the packaging has a small footprint and the product can be cut with a pair of scissors. We leveled the ground, placed a treated wood frame in the size/shape we wanted for the patio then put sand and landscape fabric down. We then spread out the grid and filled. The cells are initially filled with driveway gravel and then topped with the pretty pea gravel. It has held up for about 10 years now with no issues. We do occasionally have weeds pop through but it’s very minimal and they are easily treated with spray or just pulling it up. We absolutely love how it looks and love that we don’t “sink” when we walk on it. It is easy for a wheelchair, bicycle or a wheelbarrow/cart to get across the surface. Good luck!
https://www.dupont.pl/content/dam/dupont/amer/us/en/safety/public/documents/pl/Plantex-PL-groundgrid-installation-guideline.pdf
The stone front looks so awesome — even without paint! A masterful job!
About the gravel grid – I would like to suggest that you find a place that already has the gravel grid installed and try the wheelchair on it. It might not be possible to find a local installation, but better to prove that it works with a wheelchair than to install it and find out it doesn’t work as expected.
Great suggestion Kim! I learned about the Dupont Grid from a Bob Villa article. They are used extensively in Europe and are even used for driveways.
The skirting looks great! I am glad you tied it in to the rest of the Austin Stone on the house – it looks like it’s always been there. Excited to see how the gravel grids look, if you go with that option.
I agree about the stone pathway. I didn’t know they made grids. Very smart idea!
The skirting looks fantastic! I’m looking forward to the replacement of the fascia boards to complete the transformation!
For the walkway, I suggest a mixed approach. For the front of the house, create concrete walkways to match the driveway and existing sidewalk for cohesion. Then for the walkway in the back of the house, switch over to the gravel option with the grids. At the left side of the house (where your master bedroom is) you could put a metal arbor over the walkway where it transitions from concrete to gravel to make it “intentional” and a natural place to switch materials.
I was going to suggest the same. It’s not all or nothing. I would certainly consider the upkeep for anything you choose. Maybe do a portion and live with it a while.
The porch skirting looks awesome and I admire how you worked through the dilemmas to get your outcome.
Awesome job on finishing up.
As a former several miles a day walker (handicapped now) I walked on sidewalks, no other choice, and never had a difficult time. I feel like gravel may cause slipping and possible injury. That is if you are using it for brisk exercise walks. May be fine if just a slow leisurely stroll.
Love the gravel grid. There is a landscape rock and mulch spray that you can use to “glue” the gravel in place and it would help keep the weeds away.
Yes, I’ve seen ads for that spray. In researching it further, some say you may need to re-apply it every year or so, but not sure of the usage/weather, etc that they have. It sounded like a great product even if you do have to re-apply! Love how the stonework looks! Kristi, you must have a “too much shade” problem from that huge tree in the front yard. Signs of that are on the trim boards around the porch. I think when you replace them, you need to schedule time at least twice a year to clean your surfaces on the house. Otherwise you will have major problems down the line!
We’ve been using the “ gravel glue” on several areas of paths at our local park. There’s a nursing home next door and the aids like to wheel the residents to the park often. But the gravel makes it difficult for the wheelchairs. It’s been about 18 months and some of the glue needs a refresh but so far it’s holding up and the residents love it!
I love how the skirting turned out! You never cease to amaze me with you talents.
A word of caution on the gravel option. I love the look of pea gravel and went with it at the front and side of my house. MAKE SURE YOU PREP THE AREAS APPROPRIATELY TO INHIBIT WEED GROWTH because otherwise it will be VERY high maintenance. And even with appropriate prep you will have to be vigilant and keep on top of any weeds that raise their ugly heads.
Have you heard of a product called Romex Hardcapes? They have a product that is a gravel binder. Might be an option as well. Whatever option you chose make sure to use a heavy weed barrier from a nursery. Not the stuff from Lowe’s or HD!
Save for the future since you will have so many pathways: a weed burner is great for getting rid of weeds quickly. You wont want to use near any dripper hose or dry plants!
It looks great and I think the gravel option with the grid will be your best of both worlds’ solution. Preparation for the ground underneath is the critical part of that system so pay close attention to the details on it, which I know you will because you are a detail conscious DIYer. Again, it looks fabulous!
Cheers to you, Matt, and the Fur Babies!
That was a heck of a DIY job to do but the skirting looks fantastic already and I can’t wait to see it with the mortar and paint.
I’m very intrigued by the gravel grids because I’m turning part of my backyard into a native garden and was wondering what to do about the pathways. I’ll have to look further into this option.
Looking good!
Are you aware that there is a glue-like product available on Amazon? You put your gravel or mulch down, spray it with this stuff and it keeps everything in place. This is the URL: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=glue+for+gravel+walkway&crid=1FXBFG0E8CP6S&sprefix=glue+for+gravel%2Caps%2C482&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_3_15
You should compare the cost of this to the grid stuff.
Having lived in the FL Keys for about 4 years, I wish we had this glue back then. EVERYTHING is covered in limestone pea gravel. Water was too expensive to use on trying to get grass to grow. The only fresh water was an 18″ pipeline from the mainland.
A few people commented on using mulch glue on pea gravel, I remembered reading on DIY Playbook’s website something about that … https://thediyplaybook.com/mulch-glue-pea-gravel/
Also read her 1 year later review linked in the same post.
Look into rigid cells and flexible webs. There are mats you can lay and not do much prep, but those are more industrial looking than you’d like. Here pictures of the three varieties from a brand I had a webinar from https://www.americantrails.org/organizations/presto-geosystems. There’s a number of companies that make these and very heavily sales-minded…They can be a great resource to put you in contact with distributors that are not the box store to shop costs. Maybe find a landscape supplier who can deliver their product and the aggregate by the truckload. If you do get stone in bulk I recommend dumping some of the pile to where you have you sitting areas to pre-compact the dirt in those areas for you as you work around the yard. It’ll compact the dirt where it lays over time.
A flexible web requires more depth 6-8″. Typically intended for a thinner (roads can need feet vs 6″ and rock is getting expensive) consistent base layer under things or to really stabilize squishy soils for access roads. This can do a trail, just may be more technical/finicky to install & maintain.
I highly recommend a rigid paver-like cell over a flex. These look like mats but are thinner, laid on a surface that is prepped then the cell filled. These are forgiving to work with, and roll over after getting filled.
Your porch is almost finished.
Your gravel for the pathways looks nice but a couple questions.
First, if you already walk around your neighborhood, aren’t you walking on a hard surface, cement or pavement?
Second, even with the grid thing for the gravel, isn’t it going to get in the yard? Won’t the edges get blurry? And congrats, the skirting looks great.
I don’t walk around my neighborhood. There are way too many stray dogs and they scare me. If I want to walk, I use my treadmill.
You have to use a border on the edges of the grid to keep the gravel in place.
You did a great job with the porch. You have every reason to be so proud of your work. And the gravel idea sounds perfect for your vision. Have a great Independence Day weekend.
I saw a YouTube video last year of a guy installing a gravel walkway or patio or something like that and he used a gravel covered in resin. It made the gravel a hard surface but it was porous so water could still seep through.
I just searched and it’s called Resin Bound Gravel. Here’s two videos about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvrZx-o9PSs
Kudos on your stones & figuring out the corners…that was using your head (and hands!)
I also like where you’re going with the stones for your walkways, especially if the grids hold (most of) the stones in place.
About your water feature… it sounds all nice & pretty, but unless it’s set up high, you most likely won’t see it from the kitchen dining area windows.
Looking forward to more and more projects!
About the pathway planning:
It’s hard to tell the scale from your landscaping plan, but those paths seem awfully narrow. The general guideline is a 5-foot wide path for two people walking side-by-side. Probably a foot or two wider to accommodate a wheelchair. (?)
If grass is wheelchair friendly, I’d use the lawn as your walking/rolling surface and avoid the work/expense of installing a path altogether. If grass is not wheelchair friendly, maybe install much shorter path(s) in the area(s) where your husband would most often be using it.
Where I live, several inches of crushed rock put over a base of several inches of “5/8 minus” (basically rock grit and chips) makes a very stable path without needing a grid structure. But we don’t have hurricanes/flash floods so maybe that is the deciding factor for your area. I don’t need to worry about the heat-retaining impact of stone, but it might be something you Texans should investigate. Adding all that gravel or concrete will likely mean heat gain.
The grids are great. I bought some from a company in Arizona 6 or so years ago. Used them to build a foundation for a 12×18 barn-style shed that was brought in and set in place on cap blocks on top of the gravel filled grid foundation. It’s in a low spot at the back of my property and I needed water to be able to flow through when there’s excessive rainfall. The shed is loaded with heavy stuff, tools, etc. and that grid hasn’t moved, bent, squished or changed shape in any form. My brother-in-law scraped up the grass and leveled the area with his tractor. I put down heavy duty weed cloth, may have sprayed weed-killler first, then I installed the grid. It’s not heavy and there are “nails” to secure the sections across the span. I did have a guy with a front-end loader bobcat to bring the gravel from the front of my property and dump it on the grid, about 300 feet away and down a slope. I spread it and leveled it. I was in my early 70’s then. And it was June in Central Alabama. The military has used this type of grid to build roads and runways for planes. Anyway, great stuff and perfect for what you want to do. You can make gentle curves in the path like your plan shows. I just recommend spring or fall, not summer to do this work!
Do you use landscape glue to keep the stones in place so they don’t get stuck on wheels or shoes and spread around?
I would either use landscape glue or even gravel epoxy resin. Gravel driveways with epoxy resin haven’t really caught on here in the U.S. yet, but evidently, they’re a common thing in the U.K., from what I’ve read. It’s just now becoming widely available in the U.S. for DIYers.
I saw a blog post about something called Mulch Glue that is used to keep small stuff in place (like mulch or gravel), and the blogger was happy with the results. Might be a consideration for your proposed gravel pathways.
Your handmake stones look AMAZING! And I would never know they were not the real thing. WELL DONE!