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A Walkway to the Water A curving wooden walkway connects a waterfront house to the water. From "Grounds for Improvement" episode DGFI-307

	Figure A
	Figure B

Lila and Foster built their waterfront home (figure A) in Charleston, South Carolina, themselves. However, they ran out of ideas when it came to getting from the house to the water (figure B). So, landscape designer Dean Hill devised a plan to build a new curving wooden walkway to connect their house to a small boat dock. Custom-designed, colorful chairs placed beside the walkway overlook the peaceful marsh.

Tools
shovels
rakes
wheelbarrow
posthole digger
hose
sod cutter
hammer
table saw
miter saw
electric paint sprayer
paint brushes
circular saw
reciprocating saw
cordless jigsaw

Constructing the Walkway

Materials
landscape marking paint
32 (12' sections) composite planks
15 (2"x6"x12') composite lumber
8 (4"x4"x8') composite posts
#10 box of 2 1/2" deck screws

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Figure C

The crew starts by marking out the area for the new walkway using landscape marking paint. They dig postholes (figure C) and install the 4x4 pressure-treated posts, using premixed cement to set the posts in place. The posts are six inches high to support the walkway frame.

The frame begins one inch below the height of the previously built step to ensure that the new walkway will be flush with the step. To frame the walkway, the crew uses string to establish a line for the post tops between two temporary stakes and secures the stringers to the posts with three-inch galvanized screws. Using the 2x6 boards, they attach a frame to the posts (figure D) and fill the inside of the frame with joists to support the walkway (figure E). They make sure that the frame is level.

Figure D

Figure E

After the frame is complete, they secure the composite planks on top of the frame with deck screws, maintaining a 1/8-inch gap between the planks (figures F and G).

Figure F

Figure G

Using a hose as a guide to help visualize the shape of the pathway (figure H), they mark the curved line with chalk (figure I) and then cut along the line using a circular saw (figure J). They make sure that the curved line does not go past any joists and they measure the opposite side of the walkway to ensure that the curves in the walkway are parallel.

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

TIP: Always be sure to wear safety goggles when cutting.

The completed walkway curves gracefully from the steps at the back of the house to the scenic marsh beyond (figures K and L).

Figure K

Figure L

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