How to Choose the Right Material for Your Walkway

When it comes to creating curb appeal and adding function to your outdoor spaces, few features are as transformative as a well-designed walkway. From guiding guests to your front door to connecting garden spaces or patios, walkways serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. But one of the most important decisions you’ll make in designing your walkway is choosing the right material.

At Snow Creek Landscaping, we’ve helped countless homeowners in the Asheville and western North Carolina area design and install walkways that perfectly complement their homes, landscapes, and lifestyles. Whether you’re after rustic charm, modern elegance, or something timeless in between, the material you choose will define the look, feel, and longevity of your walkway.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular walkway materials, key factors to consider, and expert tips from our design team to help you make the best choice for your property.

1. Consider the Style of Your Home and Landscape

Your walkway should feel like a natural extension of your home’s architecture and your landscape’s character. For example, a historic Asheville home with natural stone accents might pair beautifully with flagstone or fieldstone paths, while a modern mountain retreat could benefit from sleek concrete pavers or geometric tiles.

At Snow Creek Landscaping, we take a holistic approach to design—blending materials, colors, and textures that enhance your home’s overall aesthetic. We’ll also consider your outdoor surroundings, ensuring your walkway feels cohesive with your garden beds, patios, and other landscape features.

Design Tip:
Think of your walkway as a visual transition. It should flow naturally from one space to another, using materials that complement both your home and your landscape.

2. Think About Function and Foot Traffic

Not all walkways serve the same purpose. A path from your driveway to your front door, for instance, will likely experience heavier foot traffic than a garden walkway or backyard trail. For high-traffic areas, durability and slip resistance are crucial.

Here’s how different materials perform based on function:

• Concrete Pavers: Durable, customizable, and ideal for high-use areas like front entrances. They can handle wear and tear while maintaining a clean, structured appearance.

• Natural Stone: Offers timeless beauty and strength. Materials like flagstone or bluestone are great for both formal and informal walkways.

• Gravel or Crushed Stone: Perfect for casual garden paths or secondary walkways. It’s budget-friendly and offers excellent drainage, though it requires some maintenance to keep edges tidy.

• Brick: Classic and charming, brick is slip-resistant and strong but can shift over time if not installed with proper support.

• Stamped Concrete: A versatile option that can mimic stone, slate, or wood textures while offering easy maintenance and long-term durability.

Snow Creek Landscaping can help assess how you plan to use your walkway and recommend the best materials for performance and longevity.

3. Evaluate Maintenance Requirements

Every walkway material comes with its own level of maintenance. When choosing the right material, consider how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in upkeep.

• Low Maintenance: Concrete pavers and stamped concrete require minimal care—just periodic cleaning and resealing.

• Moderate Maintenance: Natural stone needs occasional sealing to prevent weathering and stains, especially in North Carolina’s variable climate.

• High Maintenance: Gravel paths may need raking, refilling, and weed control to maintain a neat appearance.

At Snow Creek Landscaping, we design walkways with your lifestyle in mind. Whether you prefer a maintenance-free path or don’t mind a bit of seasonal upkeep, we’ll help you find a solution that fits your needs and your schedule.

4. Pay Attention to Drainage and Slope

Proper drainage is essential to prevent water pooling, erosion, or shifting materials. Asheville’s terrain often includes slopes or uneven ground, so choosing a walkway material that can handle moisture and movement is key.

For sloped areas, interlocking pavers or natural stone slabs offer stable footing and excellent drainage when installed with a proper base. Gravel paths also allow water to flow freely but may wash out if not bordered correctly.

Snow Creek Landscaping specializes in building walkways that stand the test of time—ensuring your materials are installed on a solid foundation with proper grading and drainage systems to protect your investment.

5. Match Your Budget with Long-Term Value

While cost is an important consideration, the cheapest option isn’t always the most economical in the long run. Materials like concrete pavers or flagstone may require a higher upfront investment but can last decades with minimal maintenance.

Here’s a general cost overview:

• Gravel: $– Budget-friendly, easy to install, but less durable.

• Brick: $$ – Timeless charm with moderate cost.

• Concrete Pavers: $$–$$$ – Excellent balance of cost, durability, and style options.

• Natural Stone: $$$ – Premium look and exceptional longevity.

• Stamped Concrete: $$–$$$ – Customizable with unique finishes at a mid-range price.

At Snow Creek Landscaping, we help homeowners make smart budget decisions by balancing aesthetics, durability, and value—ensuring you get the most from your investment.

6. Explore Local Material Options

Choosing local materials not only supports the regional economy but also ensures your walkway naturally fits the surrounding environment. Western North Carolina offers beautiful locally sourced stones such as flagstone, slate, and fieldstone that pair perfectly with Asheville’s natural landscapes.

By sourcing materials locally, Snow Creek Landscaping helps reduce transportation costs and environmental impact while maintaining a cohesive mountain aesthetic that blends with native flora and terrain.

7. Don’t Overlook Safety and Comfort

Walkways should be as safe as they are beautiful. In rainy or icy conditions, slip resistance becomes a key factor. Textured materials like natural stone or brick can provide better traction, while smooth surfaces like polished concrete may require added grip.

Comfort underfoot also matters, especially for barefoot strolls around a pool or garden. Gravel offers a natural, organic feel, while stone and pavers provide stability and even footing.

When you work with Snow Creek Landscaping, we’ll consider every detail—from traction and texture to lighting placement—to make your walkway both safe and inviting.

8. Add Finishing Touches: Borders, Lighting, and Design Details

The finishing touches can elevate your walkway from simple to spectacular. Edging materials such as stone borders, metal edging, or contrasting pavers can define your path and prevent materials from shifting. Integrating landscape lighting enhances safety and ambiance, illuminating your walkway after dark.

At Snow Creek Landscaping, we often recommend combining design elements like accent stones, groundcover plants, or lighting fixtures to make your walkway feel cohesive with your landscape’s overall design. These details not only improve aesthetics but also boost your home’s curb appeal and nighttime safety.

9. Why Choose Snow Creek Landscaping for Your Walkway Project

Designing and installing a walkway is more than just laying down stones—it’s about crafting an experience that complements your home and lifestyle. At Snow Creek Landscaping, our team of designers and craftsmen bring decades of experience in walkway design, hardscaping, and landscape architecture across Asheville and surrounding areas.

We offer end-to-end service—from concept and design to material selection and professional installation. Our goal is to create walkways that are not only beautiful but built to last, with craftsmanship and care you can trust.

When you choose Snow Creek Landscaping, you’re choosing:

• Expert design guidance tailored to your home and terrain

• Locally sourced, high-quality materials

• Sustainable installation practices

• Personalized service from start to finish

Your walkway is more than a path—it’s an expression of your home’s character and a reflection of your personal style. By carefully considering your material options, budget, and maintenance preferences, you can create a walkway that enhances both form and function.

If you’re ready to start designing your perfect walkway, contact Snow Creek Landscaping today. Our expert team is proud to serve homeowners throughout Asheville and western North Carolina, bringing vision, craftsmanship, and local expertise to every project we build.