Sidewalks, Walkways & Flatwork

Why Quality Sidewalks Matter

Sidewalks and walkways might seem simple, but they play a big role in your property. They provide safe passage, prevent erosion from foot traffic, and add to your curb appeal. A well-done walkway makes your property more functional and more attractive.

Safety is the main reason to invest in quality concrete walkways. Uneven surfaces, cracks, and settled sections create trip hazards. This is especially important if you have elderly visitors, kids, or customers coming to your property. A smooth, level walkway prevents accidents and the liability that comes with them.

Proper walkways also direct traffic where you want it. Instead of people cutting across your lawn and creating worn paths, they follow the concrete. This protects your landscaping and keeps your property looking neat. For businesses, it guides customers to entrances and creates a professional first impression.

In Oklahoma, sidewalks need to handle our weather extremes. Concrete is ideal because it does not rot like wood, shift like pavers, or wash away like gravel. It lasts for decades with minimal maintenance and looks good the whole time.

Types of Flatwork We Install

Flatwork is the term for any horizontal concrete surface. We install all kinds of flatwork for residential and commercial properties. Here are the most common projects.

• Front walkways: The path from your driveway or street to your front door. This is often the first thing visitors see, so appearance matters as much as function.
• Side and back walkways: Paths around your house to access different areas of your yard, side gates, or back entrances. These keep traffic off your grass and provide all-weather access.
• Garden paths: Decorative walkways through landscaped areas. These can be straight and formal or curved and natural depending on your style.
• Commercial sidewalks: Public walkways in front of businesses, connecting parking lots to entrances, and other pedestrian paths that must meet ADA accessibility standards.
• Wheelchair ramps: ADA-compliant ramps to provide accessible entry to buildings and overcome elevation changes safely.
• Utility pads: Flat concrete pads for trash bins, air conditioning units, generators, or other equipment that needs a level, stable surface.

Planning a complete outdoor space? Our concrete patio services can create an entertainment area that your new walkways lead to, giving you a cohesive outdoor living space.

Design and Layout Considerations

A good walkway is more than just a strip of concrete. It needs to be the right width, have proper drainage, and connect your spaces logically. Here is what we think about when planning walkway projects.

Width matters. A front walkway should be at least 3 feet wide, preferably 4 feet. This allows two people to walk side by side comfortably. For commercial properties and wheelchair access, 4 to 5 feet is better. Narrower side paths can be 2 to 3 feet if they only get occasional use.

Slope and drainage need attention. Walkways should slope slightly away from buildings to direct water away from foundations. A slope of 1 to 2 percent is ideal. That means the walkway drops about 1 to 2 inches per 10 feet of length. This is enough for drainage but not steep enough to notice when walking.

Curves versus straight lines is a design choice. Straight walks are simpler and cost less. Curved paths look more natural and can be more interesting visually. Your choice depends on your landscape style and how formal you want the look to be.

Thickness and reinforcement depend on use. Most residential walkways are 4 inches thick with wire mesh reinforcement. This is plenty for foot traffic. Commercial sidewalks might need to be thicker if they could see vehicle traffic from cars pulling across them.

Finishing Options for Walkways

Your walkway does not have to be plain gray concrete. We offer several finish options to match your property's style and meet your practical needs.

Broom finish is the most common. We drag a broom across the surface while the concrete is still wet, creating subtle lines that provide traction. This finish is practical, affordable, and works well in all weather. It is the standard choice for most sidewalks.

Stamped concrete can make your walkway look like stone, brick, or tile. This adds visual interest and can match other elements of your landscape. It costs more than a standard finish but less than actual pavers or natural stone.

Exposed aggregate reveals the natural stones in the concrete. This creates a textured, upscale look with excellent slip resistance. It is popular for pool decks and areas where wet surfaces are a concern.

Colored concrete is another option. We can add pigments to match your house, coordinate with landscaping, or just create something more interesting than gray. Earth tones are popular here in Oklahoma.

For more information about decorative finishes, check out our stamped and decorative concrete page where we detail all the patterns, colors, and textures available.

Common Questions About Sidewalks and Flatwork

Here are answers to the questions we hear most often about sidewalk and walkway projects.