Concrete Walkway Joint Placement Guide

Planning a 4-inch concrete perimeter walkway around your house? Understanding the difference between expansion joints and control joints—and where to place them—is critical for a durable, crack-resistant installation.

Joint Types and Spacing

Expansion Joints

Place expansion joints approximately every 30 feet. These full-depth separations allow independent movement between large slab sections. Options include:

• 1/2 to 1-inch thick wood strips placed between pours
• Premanufactured joints (plastic, asphalt-impregnated fiber, etc.)

Control Joints

Place control joints every 5-6 feet (typically matching or slightly exceeding walkway width). These partial-depth joints create planned weak points where shrinkage cracks can occur neatly during curing. Methods:

• Trowel joints: Easiest and cheapest—formed during finishing
• Saw cuts: Cut to 1-inch depth or 1/3 slab thickness, 12-24 hours after pouring

Layout Strategy

Measure each run and calculate spacing for equal panel sizes—avoid ending with an odd-sized piece. For example, a 74-inch or 59-inch spacing might work better than rigid 5-foot intervals. Proper jointing ensures cracks happen where you want them, not randomly across your new walkway.