How do you make a wooden plank walkway?

A wooden plank walkway can add charm and character to any outdoor space. Plank walkways are often seen lining gardens, wrapping around trees, or connecting elements in a landscape. They have a rustic, natural look that blends well with greenery and foliage. Walkways made from wood are also eco-friendly and sustainable.

Constructing a plank walkway is a relatively easy DIY project for any homeowner. The main requirements are simple: wooden planks, a gravel or sand base, and landscape edging to keep the planks in place. With a little time and some basic tools, you can create a custom wood walkway in your yard.

In this article, we will walk through the complete process of building a wooden plank walkway, step-by-step. We will cover how to:

  • Plan the layout
  • Prepare the base
  • Select and cut planks
  • Install landscape edging
  • Anchor the planks
  • Seal and protect the wood

Follow these instructions and you will have a gorgeous, rustic walkway enhancing your landscape in no time.

Planning the Layout

When deciding where to install your plank walkway and how it should be shaped, consider these factors:

  • Purpose: Will your walkway serve as a path between two points, or is it mainly decorative?
  • Foot traffic: Choose a location that makes sense for the routes people will naturally take on foot.
  • Landscape features: Wrap your walkway around trees, gardens, or landscape beds to complement the features.
  • Space: Make sure you have adequate room for the length and width of the walkway.
  • Sunlight: Avoid excessively shady areas where moisture can accumulate.
  • Drainage: Choose a relatively flat site that will drain properly to avoid pooling of water.

It often works well to sketch a simple layout on paper before constructing the walkway. Consider the size and number of planks you will need to cover the desired shape and area.

Curving walkways tend to be more dynamic and inviting in appearance. But straight planked paths can also look crisp and purposeful. Decide what best suits your vision for the space.

Preparing the Base

A proper base is crucial for keeping your walkway level and preventing the planks from shifting over time. Here are two options for bases:

Gravel Base

A gravel base provides excellent drainage for a wooden walkway. To prepare it:

  1. Mark the area where your walkway will go using string and stakes.
  2. Dig out the path area to a depth of 4-6 inches.
  3. Fill the excavated area with packed gravel (limestone screenings or pea gravel). Compact the gravel thoroughly using a tamper.
  4. Level the gravel using a rake and board to obtain an even surface.

The finished gravel base should be 2-3 inches deep after compacting and leveling the aggregate.

Sand Base

For a simpler option, a sand base will also suffice, with slightly less drainage:

  1. Excavate the walkway area to a depth of 2-3 inches.
  2. Shovel coarse builder’s sand into the pathway area.
  3. Use a push broom to smooth and level the surface of the packed sand.

Compact the finished sand base with a hand tamper to harden the surface before installing planks.

Selecting and Cutting Planks

Wooden planks made of cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine are ideal for outdoor walkways. Here are some plank options:

  • 1×4 or 1×6 boards (3/4″ x 3-1/2″ or 3/4″ x 5-1/2″ )
  • 5/4×4 or 5/4×6 boards (1″ x 3-1/2″ or 1″ x 5-1/2″)
  • 2×4 or 2×6 boards (1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ or 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″)

Narrower planks like 1x4s tend to be more flexible and conform to the landscape easier. Wider 2x lumber has a beefier, more rugged look.

Cut your planks to the desired length using a power miter saw. Lay the planks out lengthwise over your planned walkway area to visualize how they will fit together. Cut any edge pieces to shape as needed.

You may need 60-80 lineal feet of planks for 100-150 square feet of walkway. Purchase extra wood to allow for miscuts and defects.

Installing Landscape Edging

Flexible plastic or metal landscape edging strips are key for locking the planks in place neatly along the sides. To add it:

  1. Trench down about 2-3 inches around the perimeter of the base using a flat shovel.
  2. Push the landscape edging into the trench so the top edge rises 1/2″ above the gravel base.
  3. Backfill soil around the edging and tamp firmly to hold it in place.

Leave the ends of the edging unfinished for now. Trim and overlap them once all planks are installed.

Anchoring the Planks

With your prepared base and edging in place, you’re ready to install the plank decking. Follow these steps:

  1. Select one long edge of the walkway area to start from.
  2. Position the first plank with its end pressed up against the landscape edging.
  3. Drill pilot holes down through the plank about 1-2 inches from the edging.
  4. Hammer 6-8” landscape spikes through the holes into the gravel base to anchor.
  5. Continue positioning subsequent planks end-to-end, anchored 1-2” apart.
  6. Drill pilot holes every 12-16 inches and use landscape spikes to pin each plank in place.
  7. For the other long edge, trim the edging to overlap the end plank and hold it in place.
  8. Infill any gaps between planks with pea gravel for drainage.

Work methodically to lay each plank segment by segment until you fill the walkway footprint.

Sealing and Protecting

The final step is applying a protective wood sealant to prolong the life of your walkway and prevent rotting.

  • Use a deck sealant/stain or two-part epoxy formulated for outdoors.
  • Select a natural color that enhances rather than obscures the wood grain.
  • Apply 2-3 even coats per the manufacturer’s directions.
  • Re-apply sealant every 2-4 years for optimal protection.

Once sealed, your rustic wood walkway is complete! Add potted plants, lanterns, benches or other accents to complement the new feature. A plank walkway offers charm, beauty and function for years to come.

Maintenance Tips

Follow these pointers to keep your plank walkway looking great:

  • Inspect regularly for loose, cracked or warped planks. Replace individual damaged planks as needed.
  • Clear debris like leaves or mulch promptly to allow drainage and prevent rot.
  • Re-apply protective sealant every few years when it starts looking worn.
  • Shovel snow carefully off the walkway rather than using salt which can damage wood.
  • Consider covering the walkway each winter if you live in a region with harsh winters.

With proper care and maintenance, a wood plank walkway can serve as a focal point in your landscape for over a decade. The natural look improves with age. Refreshing the sealant periodically will keep the wood protected from the elements.

Cost Comparison: DIY vs Professional Installation

One advantage of installing a plank walkway yourself is significant cost savings compared to hiring a professional. For example:

Task DIY Cost Professional Cost
Materials for 100 sq ft walkway (wood, gravel, edging, fasteners) $300 $300
Labor (10 hours @ $50/hour) $0 $500
Total Cost Estimate $300 $800

As you can see, the materials cost for DIY vs hiring a professional contractor are roughly the same. But you can save significantly on labor by installing the walkway yourself. With a full weekend and basic skills, you can construct a beautiful 100 square foot plank walkway for under $300.

Professionally built walkways exceed $15 per square foot installed. That same 100 square foot walkway would likely run $1,500-$2,000 to have a company handle the whole project. If you don’t mind getting your hands moderately dirty, DIY is clearly the more budget-friendly route for adding a new wood plank walkway.

Alternative Materials to Consider

While wood is the classic choice for plank walkways, other materials can also work well:

Plastic Composite

Plastic/wood composites like Trex are mold/rot resistant. But lower cost versions can warp or become slick when wet. Pricing is comparable to wood.

PVC

For a lightweight plastic plank, cellular PVC products are durable and low maintenance. Appearance is not quite as natural as real wood however.

Concrete

Concrete plank pavers have a contemporary, urban look. Prefabricated versions snap together over a concrete base for easy DIY installation. Higher cost than wood.

Bricks

A classic material like brick has timeless appeal. But mortaring brick plank-style takes skill and bricks lack the flexibility of real wood.

Natural Stone

Slate or flagstone planks create a gorgeous walkway. But expensive, heavy, and may require professional installation. Not really a DIY-friendly option.

For most homeowners, pressure-treated lumber makes the best choice – classic beauty, DIY-friendly, and reasonably affordable. But always consider your overall landscape theme and style preferences when selecting walkway materials. Thinking beyond basic wood planks opens up many possibilities!

Conclusion

Constructing your own wooden plank walkway allows you to customize a practical and gorgeous landscape feature at a fraction of the cost of professional installation. With some simple tools, basic skills, and a weekend for assembly, you can enhance your yard with a rustic wood walkway built entirely to your specifications.

Following the steps outlined here for grading the base, installing landscape edging, fastening the planks securely, and protecting the wood will result in an elegant DIY walkway you can enjoy for years to come. A plank walkway offers charm and functionality while working with the natural surroundings.

Whether curving around trees, connecting play areas, or leading through garden beds, a plank walkway carved from beautiful cedar or redwood makes a simple yet powerful impact. And doing the work yourself grants creative control to build this useful landscape fixture just the way you imagined it.