DIY Network

Porch and Walkway Renovation Porch and Walkway Renovation From "Grounds for Improvement" episode DGFI-205

Figure A

The work continues on Christie's front porch and walkway. The old walkway has been broken up with a jackhammer, and the installation of 18"x18" pavers is partially complete (figure A). Overgrown vegetation along the front of the house has been pruned or removed, and the old, outdated door has been painted.

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New varieties of shrubs and plants have been chosen to continue the fresh, welcoming look of the front yard. Azaleas, gardenias and tea olives will add texture and interest along the front of the house, while variegated Aztec grasses and summer annuals provide bright spots of color. The plants are spotted around the planting beds to determine proper placement; keeping them spread out over the space contributes to the new open look of the space (figure B). Fertilizer is added to every plant site to help them get off to a healthy start and maintain a full season of blooms (figure C).

Figure B

Figure C

Meanwhile, the walkway is meeting up with the existing sidewalk. As it meets the sidewalk, the pavers increase from a single line of pavers to a row of two, then three pavers, creating a wide space for comfort of movement (figure D). Pavers in the grass are sunk level with the path pavers, and the sod removed from the new planting beds is used to fill in spaces between the pavers.

The door restoration is also nearing completion, with the installation of new hardware and a kickplate. A keyhole saw kit is used to keep the hole for the deadbolt centered and stabilized as it is drilled. These kits, along with the drill attachments, are readily available at hardware stores and home-improvement centers (figure E). With the new lock, handle and kickplate in place, the refurbished door is rehung.

Figure D

Figure E

RESOURCES :

Black and Decker tools
Website: www.blackanddecker.com
Black & Decker, Inc. (Corporate)
Website: www.bdk.com/main_bd.htm

Porter-Cable Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com

Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com

American Society of Landscape Architects

Delta Tools
Deltak Power Tools
Website: www.deltamachinery.com

Plants provided by Skinner Nurseries Inc.
Skinner Nurseries Inc.
Website: www.skinnernurseries.com

Walkway materials provided by Pavestone
Pavestone
Website: www.pavestone.com

Faux concrete kit
(1 quart pro quartzite; 1 quart crackle; 3 quarts brown, green and black pro faux paint)

Artistic Living Studio
Website: www.artisticlivingstudio.com