About this project
This Sterling Heights project on Sycamore Drive replaced the front walkway and entry area with exposed aggregate. A curved walk now runs from the driveway along the brick, rises two steps between a brick pier and the house wall, and opens into a wide entry court. The work was completed in September 2026.
Each edge is trimmed with a dark brown border, which also covers the nose of each step and outlines the planting bed along the house. The aggregate has a mix of light and dark stones, and control joints split the larger areas into smaller panels. Caution tape at the driveway kept foot traffic off while the concrete set.
What we did
- Poured a curved exposed aggregate walkway from the driveway to the entry
- Built two steps up from the walk to the entry court
- Poured a new entry court in front of the house
- Added a dark brown border along the edges and step noses
- Cut control joints across the wider sections
Building a walkway that curves around a planting bed
A curved walk takes more work than a straight one. The forms have to be bent to a smooth radius, and the border has to follow that curve without kinks. On this house the walk sweeps around a planting bed by the downspout, and the inner border doubles as an edge for the mulch. Done right, the curve reads as one continuous line from the driveway to the steps.
Steps at an entry need even risers, a slight slope on each tread so water runs off, and a firm base underneath. Here the steps sit between a brick pier and the house wall, so the concrete meets masonry on both sides. A clean joint at the brick lets each surface move a little on its own through freeze and thaw.
Questions homeowners ask about front walks and steps
Can a border color be added to a walkway?
Yes. A colored band along the edges is a common way to frame a walk, and it works on broom-finish or exposed aggregate slabs. It is a modest change that makes a front walk look finished and helps define the edges at night.
What happens to the downspout next to a new walk?
It should still drain away from the house without spilling across the walk, where water can freeze in winter. On this job the downspout lets out into the planting bed inside the curve. We look at each downspout near new concrete during the estimate.
Do you work in Sterling Heights?
Yes. We have completed more than 145 jobs in Sterling Heights, and more than 25 of them were concrete jobs. Browse more concrete projects in Sterling Heights.
More photos from this job
See more of our exposed aggregate work and walkways, or call (844) 757-6543 for a free estimate.
