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How To Lay Stepping Stones
As the name suggests, stepping stones offer the perfect place to step as you walk across a lawn gravel driveway or pond. They also offer a practical solution when you need to safely make your way around a water feature.
With various styles available, stepping stones also greatly enhance the aesthetics of your garden.
Thankfully, laying stepping stones isn’t a complicated job. Though, there are some key points to get right to ensure a safe installation that will also stand the test of time.
Stone Warehouse is a leading supplier of stepping stones in the UK.
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Discover these top tips on how to lay stepping stones, depending on the landscaping material you’re working with.
What Do You Need?
- Stepping stones
- Sharp sand or mortar mix
- Primer or SBR (if additional adhesion is required)
- Sub-base material (i.e. MOT Type 1)
- Weed control membrane (optional but ideal if placing down gravel at the same time)
- Rubber mallet
- Spirit level
- Soil, gravel or decorative pebbles (finishing touches)
Featured above: Our Flamingo Pink Gravel Paired with Brett Bronte Weathered Stone Random Stepping Stones
Laying Stepping Stones - Choose Your Application
Answering ‘How do you lay stepping stones?’ very much depends on the base you are working with. The most common material bases are grass, gravel and water features. So let’s cover each scenario.
How To Lay Stepping Stones On Grass
- Place each stepping stone on top of the grass and check the placement and spacing. Make any adjustments if needed so that each step feels comfortable based on your stride.
- Mark around each stone and remove any grass or topsoil in a way which perfectly fits the shape of the stone. The amount of material you remove should mean the stone is sitting level to the ground or slightly below it.
- Add any sub-base if required and compact it down. Add mortar before placing the stone on top. Use a mallet to pack the stone down into the ground. Check the level of the stone before moving on to the next stone, as you cannot adjust the level once the mortar has set.
- Once set, backfill the area with soil to create a tight and compact fit with the ground.
How To Lay Stepping Stones On Gravel
Laying stepping stones on gravel creates a highly attractive look.
Similar to installing stepping stones on a grass lawn, there is a little bit of prep work involved when adding stepping stones to gravel. That’s because if you were to place a stepping stone directly on top of loose gravel, the stone would shift and wobble.
- Instead, you’ll need to dig out the gravel around the area where you will be placing each stone. The depth will need to accommodate the thickness of the stone, as well as 3cm-5cm for a bedding layer. Use a measuring tape if you are unsure of how much material to remove.
- Once the area is dug out, add your bedding layer of sharp sand or mortar. If you want a firmer and permanent fix, opt for a wet mortar mix.
- Place the stone into position and use a rubber mallet to tap it down until the surface is flush with or just slightly above the surrounding gravel.
- Use a spirit level before moving on to the next stone. It’s good to know that allowing for a tiny outward tilt (2mm-3mm) can aid with water drainage.
- Brush gravel neatly back around each stone and ensure no gaps are left. For a decorative finish, you can also mix contrasting gravel colours around the path.
Featured Above: Our Acorn Brown Circular Stepping Stones with Golden Corn Flint gravel
How To Lay Stepping Stones Around Water Features
Choose a stepping stone which has some texture to reduce slipping.
It’s also important to note that the stride distance can differ depending on whether the stepping stone will be placed next to water (55cm-65cm apart is ideal). Or, if it will cross water, make the stones closer together.
Always ensure that any stepping stones placed near water are large enough to enable a full step (minimum 40cm wide).
Many of the points we’ve covered above also apply if laying stepping stones in or around water. But there are some slight differences depending on their placements:
Stepping stones alongside water:
Dig out the soil, grass or gravel to accommodate the depth of the stone, plus 3cm-5cm for sharp sand or mortar mix.
For stones crossing shallow water:
The ground will also need to be dug out, but the stones will need to be bedded deeper so the surface sits flush with the surrounding ground or just above water level.
Use a compacted hardcore base (i.e. MOT Type 1) if the ground is soft.
Based on your installation type, you’ll then need to place each stone on top of the mortar mix, checking the level and stability as you go along. Test the stone stability by stepping on each one firmly. Adjust sand or mortar underneath if the stones rock.
Top Tips For Stepping Stone Perfection
If you’re not a seasoned landscaper, knowing how to lay step stones might seem challenging. However, so long as you follow our above advice and make a note of these tips, you’ll be all set!
Plan Your Pathway Carefully
The placement of your stepping stones should facilitate ease of walking. However, if the stones are too close or too far apart, this won’t work. A simple trick is to do a ‘dry run’, where you will lay out all of the stones and figure out the distance before digging out the ground to install them. Planning your route also helps ensure the best use of your materials, especially if you want to establish a directional flow around your garden.
Remember To Prep Your Base
We know, you just want to get going with your stepping stone project! But, it’s really important to give each stone the right foundation to prevent it from dislodging or sinking.
In short, this involves digging a proper hole and also adding a sub-base layer. Once in place, the stones will need to be secured with mortar. The area surrounding each stone should then be backfilled with gravel or larger stones to provide additional support.
Don’t Set Your Stepping Stones Too High
The idea of stepping stones is to create an attractive yet practical walkway through your garden. For this to be the case, the stones should be level or slightly below the surrounding surface. Raised stones can easily become trip hazards, so always check the level is suitable before moving onto the next stone.
Choosing The Right Stone Texture For Your Project
As noted above, stepping stones can be used around ponds and other water features. However, polished or smooth stones should not be used near water as they can become slippery when wet.
Ensuring accessibility is also important. If the path will be used by elderly visitors or wheelchair users, consider installing paving rather than individual stepping stones.
Should You Use Sand Or Cement?
Technically, both sand and cement can be used underneath stepping stones. However, a mortar mix (3 parts sharp sand to 1 part cement) is preferred as it provides enhanced stability.
For additional adhesion, you can also add a thin layer of primer or SBR to the underside of the stepping stone before laying it on top of the mortar.
How Do I Lay Stepping Stones FAQs
Still have questions about installing your stepping stones? We’ve answered some top queries below.
For further help relating to our stepping stone products, please contact the Stone Warehouse team.
How To Put Stepping Stones On Grass
Since grass is one of the most popular options for stepping stones, it’s no wonder this is such a popular question!
Simply put, you’ll need to dig out the grass and topsoil around the shape of each stone. Dig deep enough so that there is room for the height of the stone, as well as your mortar base.
Lay a sub-base first and add your mortar. Place the stone on top and tamp it down so that the stone is level with the ground, or sits just below the ground level. Backfill the stone once dry with soil or gravel.
If you are one of the many people Googling the likes of ‘How to install stepping stones in grass?’, ‘How to install stepping stones in lawn?’, ‘How to lay stepping stones on grass?’,
‘How to lay stepping stones on lawn?’ and ‘How to put stepping stones in lawn?’...we hope this helped!
Can You Just Lay Stepping Stones On Top Of The Grass?
Unfortunately, no. You always need to dig out the ground underneath the stepping stone so that you can create a compacted sub-base and add mortar to secure the stone into place. If a stone is merely placed on top of a lawn (or any other surface), there is nothing to grip the stone into place, which could make it a slip or tripping hazard.
Can You Put Stepping Stones On Artificial Grass?
The jury is out here, but our vote is no. To install stepping stones so that they are secure, you need to be able to dig out the ground underneath and add mortar before placing the stone back on top. Unlike real grass, it’s very impractical to cut artificial grass. Also, you wouldn’t be able to backfill a fake lawn with pebbles and gravel.
Where Can I Buy Stepping Stones?
At Stone Warehouse, you can find a fantastic selection of stepping stones with endless colours and styles to choose from. Order via our website and get UK nationwide delivery!
Stone Warehouse - Complete Your Stepping Stone Project With Our Decorative Aggregates & More
We hope the above advice ensures your stepping stones offer many years of use and visual enjoyment for your garden.
At Stone Warehouse, we supply stepping stones as well as lots of other products to complete your garden design.
Browse our website to see our gravel, chippings, boulders and garden furniture.
Also, be sure to check out our free help and advice guides for all things creative landscaping and garden ideas.
Need any help with your purchase? Please contact us and we’ll be with you shortly.
