Steps & Garden Path Stone Supply

Steps and garden paths are generally used to move between separate spaces in an outdoor living area. Steps are needed to move from one elevation to another; stepping stones or garden paths are used to move between independent areas on the same elevation. We stock a number of stones for steps & pathways at our landscape supply center in Phoenixville, and offer consultations for homeowners and contractors who are looking for specific colors and styles.

Steps may be traditional in shape, i.e., rectangular, or they may be irregular. Similarly, stepping stones may be either rectangular or irregular.  The texture of steps may be natural cleft, cut, or thermal.  Natural cleft is relatively flat but has a layered texture formed from where the stone naturally splits.  A thermal surface is formed by burning off the irregularities with a special torch.  A cut surface is completely smooth.

West Mountain Natural Cleft Steps

Steps are cut from a huge variety of natural stone. In rectangular cuts, Woodward Landscape Supply stocks West Mountain, Pennsylvania Bluestone, granite, and imported steps.  The variety of color and striation in West Mountain stone is seen in the picture on the left. This picture also shows the irregularity in thickness that occurs in natural cleft steps.

Thermal Flagstone Steps

In thermal, we stock Pennsylvania Bluestone, barnstone, and limestone steps.  Thermal steps are usually 6" thick and flamed on the top.  Edges may be thermal or split.  The steps on the right show the integration of thermal steps with flagstone and boulders.

West Mountain Large Garden Path

Garden path stones come in three main sizes: small (18" - 24"), large (24" - 36") and extra-large (over 3 feet). Large and XL garden paths can be used for irregular steps. Irregular flagstone may also be used for garden paths.

Garden Path as Transition

On the right, West Mountain small and medium garden paths are used as a transition, a walking area, between the porch and a pool area.  

Remarkably realistic manufactured alternatives to natural stone are also available.  Techo-Bloc, EP Henry, and Kennedy Concrete offer a variety of manufactured steps and garden path products in a range of sizes, shapes, colors and finishes.

.