Bluestone + Granite Installation – Concord, MA

At this home in Concord, MA the owners are getting ready to renovate their garage and would first like to create a more functional and attractive entry to the home.  The plan is relocate the tree that is by the side door, edge the driveway with granite curbing, and then install granite steps and bluestone walkways to the front and side entries.   The bluestone walkway will also be lined with granite cobble stones to match the curbing.

It’s hard to tell from the photos but height of the driveway is about 16″ lower than the height of the entry landings.  This is why the granite curbing and steps are being used to raise the whole walkway area up to level with the entry landings.

 

Installation:

The tree is first transplanted and the area is excavated and graded.  You can now see the height difference between the driveway and the landings, and how the granite will now define and retain the new grade.  

 

Once the steps and granite edging are in and the grade is set we can install the bluestone walkway.  The owner has chosen a running bond pattern with all the same size bluestone, and we will cut a curve to make the walking path to the doors most natural.

 

After the walkways are installed we edge them with cobblestones.  Most walkways/patios have an underground plastic edging that helps secure the pavers.  In this case the cobblestones will serve the same purpose while adding an attractive feature.  The granite curbing runs level near the house, and then after the steps transitions back down to the driveway grade.  In the end we have level walkways, a raised planter bed that will hold some attractive landscaping, and a mildly graded lawn area to meet the rest of the yard.