Hardscapes
Walks and Paths

The path that was here was made of mortared brick, and the mortar was falling apart. There was also a step near the end of the walk that was dangerous at night. The old walk was removed, and the grade made gradual from the porch to the sidewalk. The walk was placed as shown, with a slight zig-zag and flared ends, like the original, giving it a bit of interest and visual appeal. The walk is solidly supported by a gravel and sand base and edge supports that are not visible.

The "Iron Mountain" stone here was laid around and among 3 raised beds. The stone was placed on 3/4" minus crushed river rock.

This path is laid in a naturally landscaped shrubland/woodland front yard. The stone is Molalla path stone. This photo taken in winter.

The "Iron Mountain" path here was laid through a rock garden of Willamette Valley granite. This photo taken in winter.

This is a simple gravel walk with arranged stepping stones.

Looking around the corner.

Timber Steps

This set of steps allowed visitors to get down the little slope without slipping.

Most materials for this project were "leftovers" available on site: timbers, gravel, and rebar. I just had to buy a few lag screws.

This is a different set of steps, with doubled 4x4s.

These timbers were also "leftovers" that the owner had on site.

Retaining Walls

On this job the owner did most of the hard work of digging out the area for the gravel. At this stage the gravel is in.

Here the stone wall has all been placed, including a section of pavers adjacent to the driveway.

Another view before placement of the blocks.

Here with the block placed and the dirt smoothed out (the latter by owner).

BEFORE: The owner wanted to complete the stone look and tidy up the garden beds with a small stone wall.

AFTER: Here is the small stone wall installed. This is a mortarless wall. The stones are held in place by the weight of the rock, some packed 3/8" minus crushed quarry rock, and soil in the garden bed area.

This foot-high wall of broken-face concrete block (with custom beveled caps) forms the bounds for this natural shrubland (photo in winter).

Rock Garden

This rock garden decorates the corner of this naturally landscaped lot.

Park Strip (curbside) Hardscapes

This combination of natural path stone, concrete stepping stones, and river rock provide a decorative series of surfaces that also serve as areas for guests to exit their vehicles without stepping into winter squishy soils.

This is another example.

Small Gravel Parking Area

Here we smoothed out a bump in the grade to access a small parking area.

Then we spread and packed the gravel.

Matthew G. Hunter
General Contractor and Handyman
CCB#166860
541-670-1984
© 2005-2012. All rights reserved.