A limestone quarry lasts for decades.
Stepping stones provide a number of functions in landscaping. They direct the walker's path near certain features and away from others. Stones give protection from mud, snow and ice, and they provide decorative steps leading up and down a slope. Stepping stones are made from many materials, with two common ones being concrete and limestone. Both give years of dependable service.
Concrete
Concrete stepping stones are the mimics of the landscaping world. They can take on any shape, color or size, and if done correctly they are almost indistinguishable from natural stones. Concrete stones are available commercially, or you can buy the plastic forms and bags of mixes and create your own custom blend and colors. Concrete can be stained or painted to match any decor and present itself anywhere from an extremely formal setting to rough cobblestone in a rustic village.
Molds
Mixing concrete is a physically demanding task, and doing even a 20-foot sidewalk in the backyard is not for the weak of muscle. A way to cut down the work is not to do a complete stone sidewalk but to have a stepping stone approach. Molds are available that allow creative, patterned stones with designs ranging from ancient Greece and Rome to wildlife scenes to wood planks.
Limestone
Limestone has been used as a building material for centuries. The stone can be a natural surface or polished smooth. For walkways, a rougher surface is better to prevent slips. Limestone is quarried in large slabs, and then smaller pieces are cut away. You can purchase limestone that is rectangular and of a consistent thickness, or it can look similar to a stone that has just been dug up from the soil.
Natural
Natural limestone paths give a rustic, informal look to a landscape. The pieces must be chosen and placed carefully so that the stones are as flat as possible on the side, which is then laid upward. A concave surface can accumulate ice or snow, making it unusable during the winter, and a convex surface can cause your foot to slip downward, tripping you.
Tags: limestone, concrete, stepping, stones
