Driveway and Walkway Together
A new driveway and a new concrete walkway at the same house is the job we do most. The walkway is laid out with the driveway so the two meet cleanly, and both are poured with the same concrete. See concrete driveway replacement.
Built Like Our Driveways
A JP Companies concrete walkway is built the same way as our driveways, just narrower. It sits on the same compacted stone base, carries the same welded wire mesh and is poured with the same 4,000 PSI concrete.
That matters at the front door, where the walk meets steps, downspouts and the edge of the lawn. A walk built on a weak base settles and tips; a walk built like a driveway stays level.
Compacted Stone Base
2–4” of 21A or 57 stone, compacted before any concrete goes in.
4,000 PSI Concrete, 4” Thick
The same strength of concrete we pour for driveways.
Welded Wire Mesh
6” x 6” welded wire mesh in the slab helps hold the walk together.
Broom Finish
A slip-resistant brushed finish for safe footing in rain and frost.
From Tear-Out to Finished Walk
The work starts with Miss Utility (811) marking the utilities and the path laid out with you. The old concrete or pavers are broken out and hauled away, form boards set the path and its slope, and the stone base is compacted. Then the concrete is poured, broom-finished and jointed, and the area is closed off while it cures.
Concrete Steps at the Door
Where the walk meets the house, we can pour new concrete steps or a new stoop, or finish the steps in stone with bluestone treads and stone veneer. See stone front steps.
Ready for Stone Later
A concrete walkway is also the base for a stone finish. For flagstone, bluestone, travertine or marble on top, see stone walkways; for pavers, see paver walkways.
Caring for a New Concrete Walkway
You can walk on new concrete after 24 hours. In warmer months, lightly mist it for 3–5 minutes twice a day to support proper curing.
Keep salt and chemical de-icers off it in winter; use play sand or kitty litter for traction. Sealing is optional for standard concrete, and a light pressure wash with a mild cleaner every few years keeps it clean.
Options and Upgrades
Low-voltage path and step lights can go in along the new walk. The same concrete can later carry a finish of pavers, flagstone, bluestone, travertine or marble, and where the walk ends at steps, a handrail can be added through trusted subcontractors.
How Wide Should a Front Walkway Be?
A front walkway should be at least 4 feet wide, so two people can walk side by side to the door. A side path to the backyard can be narrower, around 3 feet, since it is usually walked single file.
A walk that meets the driveway should widen slightly where they join, so people stepping out of a car are not pushed onto the lawn.
Straight or Curved?
A straight walk is the shortest path to the door and suits a formal, symmetrical house. A gentle curve slows the approach and leaves room for planting beds on either side. Both pour the same way; the curve is set with flexible form boards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can we walk on a new concrete walkway?
You can walk on a new JP Companies concrete walkway after 24 hours.
Can you replace the walkway when you replace the driveway?
Yes. Doing both at once is our most common job, and the walkway is laid out to meet the new driveway.
What is under a JP Companies concrete walkway?
2–4” of compacted 21A or 57 stone, then 4” of 4,000 PSI concrete with 6” x 6” welded wire mesh.
Can you replace the front steps too?
Yes. We pour new concrete steps and stoops, and we can finish steps in stone with bluestone treads and stone veneer.
How long does a new concrete walkway take?
A JP Companies concrete walkway usually takes one to two days on site.
Can you add lighting along the walk?
Yes. JP Companies offers low-voltage path and step lighting.
How wide should a front walkway be?
At least 4 feet, so two people can walk side by side. Side paths are often about 3 feet.
Need a New Front Walk?
Tell us where the walk runs today and where you would like it to go, and we will come out and lay it out with you.