Walkways, steps and driveways
Hardscaping in Northbrook, IL
Residential hardscaping for homes in Northbrook, IL and across the North Shore. We design and build paver and natural stone walkways, front steps, driveways and borders on a base made for freeze-thaw winters.
Designed and built by one team
Northbrook, IL
Residential Hardscaping: Walkways, Steps and Driveways
North Shore Landscape Design & Build designs and builds walkways, steps and driveways from our office at 900 Skokie Blvd #219 in Northbrook, for homes in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka and Wilmette.
Hardscaping is everything in the yard that is built rather than planted: the walk to the front door, the steps, the driveway and the edges that hold it all in place. Done together, they make the house look finished and keep people off wet grass and mud.
What we build
Hardscaping Projects We Design and Build
Each project can be built on its own or with a patio so the whole yard matches.
Paver and Stone Walkways
Front walks, side paths and garden paths in pavers, brick or natural stone, wide enough for two people side by side.
Front Entries and Steps
Wide stone or paver steps and landings that make the entry safer and give the front of the house a stronger look.
Paver Driveways
Paver driveways and borders laid on a deep base for car traffic, with pieces that can be replaced one at a time.
Edging and Borders
Stone, brick and paver edging that keeps beds, lawn and paths cleanly separated.
Planning
What a Hardscape Plan Covers
Before anything is built, the plan settles:
- The route people actually walk from the driveway and the street
- Step heights and landings that are comfortable and safe
- Materials that match the house and any existing patio
- Slope so water runs off the surface, not toward the house
- Lighting along paths and steps
Built for North Shore winters
Built for Snow, Salt and Freeze-Thaw
Walkways, steps and driveways take more abuse in a Chicago-area winter than anything else in the yard: shovels, plows, salt and the ground freezing and thawing beneath them.
A deeper base where it counts
Driveways and steps get a thicker compacted base than a garden path, because they carry more weight.
Pitch and runoff
Every surface is sloped so snowmelt drains off instead of refreezing as ice.
Materials chosen for winter
Pavers and stone are chosen for freeze-thaw durability, since some natural stones handle salt better than others.
How it works
Our Hardscaping Process
- 1
1. Site visit and measurements
We walk the entry, driveway and paths with you and measure the grades and steps.
- 2
2. Design and estimate
You get a plan with the layout and materials and a written estimate.
- 3
3. Excavation and base
We remove the old surface and build a compacted base sized for the traffic it will carry.
- 4
4. Build and walkthrough
We lay the pavers or stone, set the edges and walk the finished work with you.
Why us
Why Hire North Shore Landscape for Hardscaping
One team designs and builds
The people who draw the plan are the people who build it.
Based in Northbrook
Our office is on Skokie Blvd, and we work across the North Shore.
Matched to your patio
Walkways and steps can match the stone of a new or existing patio.
A written estimate first
You know the layout, materials and price before work starts.
Pricing
How Much Does Hardscaping Cost in Northbrook?
Price depends on the type of project, the square footage, the material and how much excavation and base work it needs. As a national reference, Lawn Love puts paver walkways at about $13 to $27 per square foot installed, or roughly $1,300 to $2,700 for a 100-square-foot walkway (market ranges, not a quote). Steps, driveways and natural stone change the number.
For a price on your project in Northbrook, send the form and we will set up a site visit and a written estimate.
Keep exploring
Related Services
Patio Installation
Paver and natural stone patios built on a compacted base, sized for dining, lounging or a fire pit.
Patio Installation
Retaining Walls
Custom retaining walls that hold back slopes, level the yard and add seating or planting beds.
Retaining Walls
Landscape Lighting
Path, step and accent lighting for patios, walls, trees and the front of the house.
Landscape Lighting
Service areas
Hardscaping Near You on the North Shore
We build walkways, steps and driveways in Northbrook and these nearby towns:
Questions
Hardscaping FAQ
What is residential hardscaping?
Residential hardscaping is the built part of a yard: walkways, steps, patios, driveways, walls and edging in pavers, brick or stone. On many Northbrook homes, it starts with the front walk and steps, rebuilt to match the house.
Pavers or poured concrete for a walkway?
Concrete is a single slab, so one crack shows across the whole surface. Pavers are separate pieces on a compacted base, so they move with freeze-thaw winters without cracking, and a damaged piece can be lifted and replaced.
Can you match my existing patio?
Matching is part of the design. If the original paver line is still made, we use it; if not, we choose a paver or stone that works with it, so the walkway, steps and patio read as one design.
Is salt safe on pavers and stone?
Rock salt can wear the surface of some pavers and natural stone over time. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are gentler on most hardscape, and shoveling early reduces how much de-icer you need on North Shore walks.
When is the best time to rebuild front steps?
Spring through fall, while the ground is not frozen. Planning over the winter means the design and estimate are ready for the first weeks of the building season.
How much does hardscaping cost?
It depends on the project, the size and the material. National ranges from Lawn Love put paver walkways at about $13 to $27 per square foot installed. For your project in Northbrook, send the form for a written estimate.
Free estimate
Get a Free Hardscaping Estimate in Northbrook
Tell us about the walkway, steps or driveway you want to build. We will get back to you to set up a site visit and an estimate.