Sidewalks are the facilities available to the pedestrians for moving on the side of the roads. A typical classification of sidewalks is based on the surface materials used for building them. The materials are selected taking into consideration their effect on the maintenance schedules. It is a common practice to make hard-surface sidewalks and concrete is the mostly used material for that. Asphalt is also used to make shared-use paths. Certain communities use bricks and pavers for their pedestrian facilities. Some communities use them mainly for preserving the traditional material & appearance in historic districts. Another type of classification of sidewalks is done on the basis of usage of sidewalks. A few examples of it include residential sidewalks, commercial sidewalks, main street concrete staining sidewalks Okc etc.

CONCRETE SIDEWALK:

The most commonly used pavement material sidewalks in the US is concrete. It is prepared with a mixture of sand, cement, aggregate, and water. Concrete is highly durable and easily last from 40 to 80 years. The material is poured directly and inside 30 minutes a smooth finish is given to the surface. This is followed by broom finish to provide for traction. As the concrete is in semi-fluid state while pouring, it is suitable to use in multiple grades & cross slopes at curb ramps and corners. When there is a requirement of replacement or repair of concrete sidewalks, skilled finishers are employed.

ASPHALT SIDEWALK:

In United States, asphalt is mainly used for making shared use paths. It is less preferred in comparison with concrete Patio Okc. It has a shorter life span. However, it is a much better option in terms of cost. While installing asphalt sidewalks, the initial cost required is very less as opposed to concrete. The elements of asphalt include petroleum base and aggregate. As soon as asphalt is applied, it should be compacted with a heavy equipment to provide evenness on the surface. Asphalt sidewalks are usually used for long sidewalk stretches as it gives an attractive look. It can also used in tighter settings such as corner & curb ramps. Asphalt makes the use of rollers for leveling very easy. Very often, asphalt is used as a material for temporary wedging and patching for the concrete sidewalks.

BRICK & PAVERS SIDEWALKS:

Bricks are the traditional material used in sidewalks. They offer high durability and easy replacement & reuse. Bricks are made out of kiln-fired formed clay. Just like bricks, pavers are also segmental materials as they are not bonded or tied together like concrete slabs and each unit is separate. As bricks and pavers allow better finish and attractive appearance to the sidewalks, their cost is also higher. Their maintenance requirements are also higher and unique as compared to other materials. Concrete pavers are used to highlight the sidewalks in plazas or commercial areas. With this approach, the overall maintenance cost is greatly reduced. Bricks have rectangular shape and come in different colors. A shortcoming of pavers and bricks is that they are likely to pop out and cause tripping hazard. Recent introductions in paver material are rubberized pavers. They are used as substitutes for making traditional pavements.