Sidewalks, Walkways & Flatwork

Sidewalks and walkways serve both practical and aesthetic purposes on your property. They guide foot traffic, protect your landscaping from wear, and create defined spaces in your yard. More importantly, they keep people safe by providing stable, level surfaces for walking.

A well-designed walkway becomes part of your home's character. It's often the path visitors take to reach your front door, making it one of the first things people notice about your property. An attractive walkway creates a welcoming impression and enhances your curb appeal. Whether you choose a simple straight path or an elaborate curved design, your walkway should complement your home's architecture and landscaping.

In Hollywood, FL, we need walkways that can handle our climate. Heavy rains, intense heat, and high humidity all affect concrete differently than they would in other parts of the country. Your walkways need proper drainage to prevent water accumulation, adequate thickness to prevent cracking, and the right finish to provide traction when wet. We understand these local requirements and build walkways that perform well in South Florida conditions.

Safety is a crucial consideration. Uneven or deteriorating sidewalks create trip hazards that can lead to injuries and liability issues. Properly installed concrete walkways with the right slope and proper joints will remain level and safe for decades. We pay special attention to ADA compliance requirements for commercial properties and can help you ensure your walkways meet all applicable codes and standards. Whether you're adding a new pathway through your garden or replacing an aging sidewalk, we build it right so it lasts.

Flatwork is the general term for any horizontal concrete surface. We handle all types of flatwork projects for both residential and commercial properties throughout Hollywood and Broward County:

• Front entry walkways: The path from your driveway or street to your front door, creating an inviting entrance
• Side yard paths: Access routes to gates, utility areas, or backyards
• Garden walkways: Winding paths through landscaping that protect plants and provide dry footing
• Public sidewalks: Municipal sidewalks that meet city standards and ADA requirements
• Commercial walkways: Pedestrian paths for shopping centers, office complexes, and other businesses
• Parking lot access paths: Walkways connecting parking areas to building entrances
• Equipment pads: Level surfaces for AC units, generators, pool equipment, or trash enclosures
• Shed or storage building pads: Stable bases for outdoor structures

Each type of flatwork has specific requirements for thickness, reinforcement, and finish. We design and build each project to meet those requirements while staying within your budget. Your walkway might be as simple as a straight 3-foot-wide path or as elaborate as a multi-level series of landings and steps with decorative borders. We handle projects of any size and complexity.

Concrete walkways offer tremendous design flexibility. You can create exactly the look and feel you want while staying within budget. Here's what's possible:

Layout and Configuration

Straight walkways are practical and cost-effective, working well for direct routes between two points. Curved walkways create a more relaxed, flowing feel and can be designed to follow the natural contours of your landscape. We can create branching paths that lead to different destinations, wide sections for gathering areas, or narrow intimate passages through gardens.

Finishes and Textures

The finish you choose affects both appearance and safety. A broom finish provides excellent traction and works well for any walkway. Exposed aggregate reveals decorative stones in the concrete for visual interest and slip resistance. For a more upscale look, consider stamped concrete that mimics natural stone, brick, or tile patterns. Smooth troweled finishes create a modern, sleek appearance but can be slippery when wet, so they're better for covered areas.

Colors and Accents

Natural gray concrete is classic and practical, but you have many other options. Integral color mixed throughout the concrete creates permanent color that won't wear off. Acid staining produces rich, variegated tones that add character. You can add contrasting borders, score patterns into the concrete, or combine different finishes to create custom designs. These decorative touches turn a simple walkway into a landscape feature.

Building walkways and flatwork that last requires attention to detail at every stage. Here's how we ensure your project will perform beautifully for years:

Planning and Layout

We start by discussing your needs and preferences. Where do you need to walk? What look do you want? What's your budget? We'll suggest the most practical routes and discuss design options. Then we'll stake out the path so you can visualize the final layout. We check for underground utilities and plan around any obstacles like tree roots or drainage issues.

Excavation and Base Preparation

We excavate to the proper depth and remove any unsuitable soil or organic material. The subgrade is carefully graded to establish the right slope for drainage. In Florida, getting water away from walkways is critical for preventing settling and erosion. We install a compacted gravel base that provides stability and improves drainage. This foundation work is what separates walkways that last from ones that crack and settle within a few years.

Forming and Reinforcement

We set forms that define the edges of your walkway, making sure everything is level and properly sloped. For residential walkways, we typically pour 4 inches thick. Commercial applications may require thicker concrete depending on expected traffic. We add wire mesh or fiber reinforcement to prevent cracking and increase the concrete's tensile strength.

Pouring and Finishing

We use quality concrete mix appropriate for Florida's climate and pour it carefully to avoid voids or weak spots. Our skilled finishers create the surface texture you've chosen, whether that's a simple broom finish or intricate stamped patterns. Control joints are cut or formed at regular intervals to control where any minor cracking will occur, keeping it neat and minimal. After finishing, we apply curing compound to ensure the concrete gains its full strength. Once your walkway is complete, you might want to enhance your property further with a beautiful concrete patio for outdoor entertaining.