Best Flooring Options to Restore Your Garden or Yard Walkways

The walkways in your yard or garden can wear down over time with repeated use and exposure to the elements. You can restore them by choosing different flooring options and installing them one weekend over your existing walkways. There are dozens of different options available that mimic the look of stone or wood, and they can easily add a whimsical touch to your yard while making it safer to walk around. You can add solar lights to the sides of your new walkways to improve your visibility and the safety factor. The possibilities are virtually endless, and you can make your walkway stand out or seamlessly blend in. 

Since there are so many flooring options available, I’ve researched and picked out 10 high-quality flooring options for you. I’ve compared numerous products before reviewing my top 10 choices below. You can use the reviews to compare the different options and narrow the flooring options down to the best fit for your wants and needs. Additionally, I invite you to take a look at the short buyer’s guide at the end of this post to get a good understanding of what you should look for when you start shopping for your new walkway covering. 

A well-maintained garden path and help you create an inviting environment for friends and family to come out, relax, and enjoy. Having the correct material covering your walkway can increase how safe they are to walk on, and there are many options available. 

1. Acacia Hardwood Interlocking Tiles – Top Pick

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You can quickly and easily cover your patio or deck with these quality wooden tiles from the Interbuild Real Wood Store. They come made out of plantation-grown acacia hardwood, and the factory pre-oils each tile so that they arrive sealed and ready to withstand the elements without any damage. They use a 0% VOC hard wax oil to complete this sealing process, and this makes the tiles food-safe and eco-safe to have in your yard. Each tile comes with an even 20-wood slate design to them, and the underside of each tile has a plastic frame that snaps together. In turn, this makes installation and disassembly quick and easy, and they easily fit under a door because they’re only ⅝-inches high.   

However, since this outdoor flooring option is wood, it does require more maintenance. You’ll have to clean and seal them at least twice a year to keep them protected and looking nice. You also don’t want to cut the tiles because this can cause the edges to splinter. They install instantly over flat surfaces and concrete without a problem, and the water will pass through and underneath them without pooling on top when it rains or snows to keep them safe to walk on while avoiding mold or mildew growth. 

Benefits:

• 20 slats per tile
• Come sealed
• Use a low VOC sealant 
• Allow water to run underneath 
• Prevents mold and mildew growth 
• Darker coloring 
• Six color options available 

Drawbacks: 

• Have to seal it twice a year

2. IncStores Grip-Lock Tiles – Step-Up Pick

 

If you have a high traction area outside like around your pond or fountain, this is a durable flooring option that can withstand heavy use. You get a very rugged construction that can withstand extreme climate shifts without requiring a lot of maintenance to keep them looking nice. You can choose from red, beige, green, evergreen, or grey for hte color to get the perfect look, and you’ll get nine tiles per order that measure 12-inches square and covers nine-square feet. You can also order 4, 16, and 25 tiles per order to cover a maximum area of 25-square feet. They have plenty of drainage on them that eliminates water pooling, and the tiles are both anti-slip and mold-resistant to make them safe. They come with a full 10-year warranty from the date of purchase, and they’re made in the United States. 

The tiles do feel very hard when you walk on them, and they have a unique pattern on them that can feel funny to walk over. They’re UV-stable, and they’re very easy to install by snapping together. They have a floating installation method that allows them to install over your current flooring without a problem, and they snap together very flat.

Benefits:

• Comes in four sizes
• Five colors available
• 10-year warranty 
• UV-stable 
• Floating installation method 
•  Rugged construction
• Vented design 

Drawbacks: 

• Extremely hard to walk over 

3. Domi Outdoor Living Patio Tiles – Mid-End Budget Pick

 

You can choose from dark grey or brown outdoor flooring when you go with this choice, and they come made from a recycled polypropylene plastic composite material that is better for the environment. Each tile is 12-inches square, and you can install them by locking them together to create an even and continuous flooring option over your current floor. The tile’s construction makes them resistant to the different weather changes, including scorching heat or dryness to freezing temperatures and high humidity levels. They’re also lightweight tiles that require very little maintenance on your part to keep them looking nice. 

You can clean this outdoor flooring option with a hose or broom, and they’re 0.34-inches thick. These thickness levels allow them to go seamlessly under doors without getting caught, and they come with a unique interlocking mechanism that makes connecting the tiles slightly easier for assembly and disassembly. It also helps to ensure that they don’t fall apart from routinely walking over it. The plastic underside of these tiles can create pressure marks if you choose to install them over wood. They have an open drainage design that ensures water won’t pool, and it also prevents you from slipping while protecting the tile from damage. 

Benefits:

• Two color options 
• Has an open drainage bottom
• Slightly thicker design 
• Easy to assemble or disassemble 
• 12-inches square per tile 
• Easy to clean
• Requires little maintenance 

Drawbacks: 

• Can leave pressure marks in wood 

4. Wood Plastic Interlocking Flooring Tiles – Bargain Budget Pick

 

Anyone who wants to refresh their patio’s look can use this outdoor flooring option to do so. You get a raised platform base on these tiles that is made out of a durable industrial material that can protect the wood while ensuring it lasts longer. They also offer great drainage and prevent moisture from building up. You get 144 contact points to make the tiles stable and ensure you have an even weight distribution that allows you to use these tiles on even or sloped and uneven surfaces without having any gaps. They’re easy to install, uninstall, pick up and move, and this makes them very versatile. 

You can easily use this outdoor flooring option for balconies, patios, showers, pools, sun rooms, saunas, bedroom, mudrooms, and more. When it comes time to clean them, you can clean them with a broom, damp mop, or rinse them with a hose. They have wood-plastic components in the design with a very simple but beautiful look. You can use them indoors or outdoors, and you get four slats on each tile. You won’t need any tools for the installation process, and you get precise spacing between every tile for a very uniform and neat look. 

Benefits:

• Can install over uneven surfaces 
• No tools required for installation 
• Precise spacing
• Each tile has four slats 
• Has a risk-free guarantee 
• 144 contact points for stability 
• Ensures even weight distribution  

Drawbacks: 

• Only get a few tiles per order

5. GOLDEN MOON Artificial Grass Turf – Best for a Grass-Like Appearance 

 

If you want to achieve the look of grass without having to worry about taking care of it like you would real grass, this is a nice choice. Each square of this flooring option gives you one square foot, adn you have a 1.5-inch pile height. It feels and looks lush, and this makes it very nice to walk on. It’s easy to clean and very low maintenance, and both the tile backing and grass materials are made with 100% new materials. The surface material is also recyclable to make it easy to get rid of, and you can use them in any climate without damage. It comes with noise dampening abilities, and this makes it a good choice for installation in urban areas. 

You do have to be more careful when you install this tile, and you have to make sure that each pile is going in the same direction. So, you have to install the tiles in a very specific manner that can take time. You get six pieces that cover six square feet, and the back has a lock-in system to keep everything together when you install it. It’s soft to walk on, and it has a great drainage system that makes it easy to maintain. You won’t need any tools or adhesive to install them, and it fits nicely with any decor.  

Benefits:

• Noise dampening abilities 
• Good drainage system
• Lush and soft
• Mimics the look of real grass
• Low-maintenance 
• 1.5-inch pile height 
• Six tiles per order 

Drawbacks: 

• Can be time-consuming to install 

6. Bare Decor Teak Wood Pavers – Best for Gardening Areas

 

If you’re someone who puts their raised planter boxes on your patio or deck and you want to create a buffer, this outdoor flooring option is a solid choice. This beautiful teak tile measures 12-inches square per tile, and they come with a very durable plastic frame backing on it to help it up off the floor. The wood is solid teak, and this makes them suitable for use indoors or out without worrying about any damage. You won’t need any glue or tools to install this flooring option, and this makes it very quick and easy to install over your chosen surface. 

The locking system on this outdoor flooring option is easy to snap together, and it’s a great DIY project. You get a pretty natural finish that works to seal out water to prevent warping or mold and mildew growth. They work well in the entryway, mudroom, bathrooms, pools, or out on the porch or patio. You can sand any scratches out to keep them looking nice, and they have a floating installation process that allows you to remove and relocate them as you need to. Each purchase will cover 10-square feet, and the outer edge trim pieces give it a very finished look. 

Benefits:

• Neat trim edging 
• Covers 10-square feet 
• Simple locking system
• Solid teak wood
• Comes sealed 
• Easy to maintain
• Can sand scratches out 

Drawbacks: 

• Can fade relatively quickly with sunlight exposure 

7. Modular Interlocking Cushion Tiles – Best for Play Areas

 

Anyone who has a patio that has a lot of moisture could use these cushioned outdoor flooring options as a viable solution. Each tile is 11.5-inches square, and they’re easy to assemble, remove, and reconfigure to fit your space. They work outdoors, indoors, in kennels, pool decks, RVs, boats, and garages. You can pick from yellow, red, white, green, blue, or grey when you order, and this allows you to tailor your color choice to suit your needs. The unique construction gives you plenty of airflow under the tiles that allows them to dry very quickly after they get wet, and this can prevent mold or mildew growth. 

These tiles also have a great flexibility for this outdoor flooring option as they allow you to install them over areas that aren’t level. The color isn’t 100% consistent between the tiles, so you may be able to notice a slight variation. There are no edges on these tiles, but you can put them right up against the walls to finish the floor. The mesh construction provides grip in wet environments, and this reduces the chances of you slipping and falling as you walk on them.

Benefits:

• Indoor or outdoor use
• Easy to put together 
• Several colors available 
• Mesh design
• Texture provides gripping capability 
•  More flexible design
• Can install over uneven surfaces

Drawbacks: 

• Softer design may not hold up well

8. 3rd Street Inn Deck Tiles – Best for – Patios

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This outdoor flooring option comes made out of 100% hardwood, and this makes them mold, rot, decay, and mildew-resistant. They hold up well under different environmental conditions, including bright sunlight and rain or snow. This makes these tiles a great choice to put by your trellis garden because the water won’t bother them. They measure 12 by 12-inches, and you can purchase them in 6, 10, or 20 tile packages that can cover between 6 and 20-square feet. You get snap-lock connectors on each tile that make installation a quick and easy process without the need for any additional tools or adhesives to get them to stay. 

You can easily install this outdoor flooring option on several surfaces, including wood, concrete, and pavers. In turn, this makes them good for balconies, patios, decks, sun rooms, mudrooms, and indoor or outdoor use. They have a scratch-resistant surface to make them look nice in heavy traffic areas, and you can easily cut them to get a custom fit without worrying about splinters. They do need a flat surface as the connectors can come apart if they’re uneven. You should stain and seal them twice a year to help them hold up and look nice or they’ll break down quicker. 

Benefits:

• Indoor and outdoor use 
• Three packs available 
• Decay and mold resistant 
• Can cut for a custom fit
• 100% hardwood design
• Snap-together locks 
• Easy to clean 

Drawbacks: 

• Have to seal and stain twice a year

9. GOLENER Wood Interlocking Floor Tiles – Best for Entryways

 

This solid wood outdoor flooring option keeps the wood’s original color and fragrance that you get when you first open it for years, and it’s an excellent choice for an indoor or outdoor home improvement project. They’re 12-inches long by 12-inches wide each, and they have a height of 0.78-inches that allow you to create a solid floor that won’t catch on any doors as they open or close, and you get nine pieces per order. So, it can cover nine square feet when you install it, and it’s an environmentally-friendly option while being very resistant to wear. 

You get strong air permeability with great floor elasticity when you order this product. It has a very stylish and simple design that fits into most decor, and the wood grain look is very classic. You’ll get an interlocking design that makes it easy to assemble your new floor, and you won’t need any tools to snap them together. This is a rigid floor that won’t slide around once you get it installed, and you can put them on both even or uneven surfaces without a problem. You do have to seal them routinely to keep them looking nice and to protect them from the elements. 

Benefits:

• Solid wood design 
• Interlocking back pieces 
• Rigid flooring 
• Warm look
• No tools required for installation 
• Come sealed
• Can use indoors or outdoors 

Drawbacks: 

• Have to seal them at least once a year

10. AsterOutdoor Interlocking Deck Tile – Best for Garden Paths

 

The final flooring option on our list comes from AsterOutdoor. These are interlocking deck tiles that are a nice choice if you need something more rigid to support your container garden. The tiles are lightweight, durable, and very easy to maintain once you slide them into your chosen place. You get six pieces per order that will cover six square feet, and all you have to do is measure your area and order however many tiles you need. All you have to do is snap them together once you get them configured to create a brand new floor that allows for good water drainage and looks sharp. 

The 100% plastic material will resist breakage, peeling, corrosion, rust, mild, decay, and mildew to ensure they last season after season. The air flow allows for good drainage, and this won’t allow water to pool around your space. There are grooves on the top surface of the tile that increase your grip as you walk over them, and it stops them from being slippery when they get wet. It’ll hold up against a huge range of weather conditions, including heat or humidity and freezing temperatures or snow. You can use them indoors and outdoors, and they won’t block your doors when you go to open or close them. 

Benefits:

• Good airflow 
• Excellent drainage 
• Six pieces per order 
• Floating installation 
• Can snap them together easily 
• Grooves increase grip 
• Survives different weather conditions  

Drawbacks: 

• More expensive option 

Outdoor Flooring Options for Your Walkway Buying Guide 

When it comes time to shop for your new flooring options for your walkway, there are several components that you want to keep in mind to help you choose the best product. After all, the flooring options you’ll use to create pathways in your rooftop garden will be much different than what you need to cover a large yard or garden. You don’t want to break the bank, but your flooring options should have the following. 

Material

Your material will play a huge role in how long your flooring option lasts with exposure to common weather conditions like high humidity, rain, or snow. Ideally, you’ll get one that has a sealant on it to keep the product dry, and you shouldn’t find yourself reapplying a sealant layer every few months. The walkway covering should be a solid wood or a mix of wood and plastic, and they should have a durable bottom with a locking system in place to hold everything together when someone walks on it. 

Choosing the correct material for your yard or garden walkway can create a whimsical look and feel to your yard. You can also elevate the style and design aesthetic by choosing a sleek option that runs around your area. 

Even or Uneven Terrain 

You have to think of the placement of your outdoor flooring option because most of them require you to put them over even terrain like a patio or concrete slab. They’re rigid in the design, and this means that they can’t bend to give you a good amount of stability  on uneven terrains. If you have an uneven area to cover, make sure your tiles bend or flex to mold to the landscape to keep them stable as you walk on them. 

Size

How large is your walkway? For example, do you need something small to run around your home or do you need something larger to help you maximize your vegetable garden layout? A lot of the choices on the list are 12-inches by 12-inches, but the amount of tiles you get in each order can vary wildly from 2 up to over 20. You want to have enough tiles to cover almost all or all of your walkway in one order because they can get expensive if you order multiple boxes. 

Traffic

Think about how much traffic is going to go over your new flooring option. If you plan for heavier traffic, you’ll need something that can handle more weight without wearing out or breaking down. Smaller paths with less traffic can get away with using thinner materials because it won’t be under so much stress. However, take great care with your high-traffic areas because cheaper materials can wear down much faster and you may find yourself replacing them sooner than you think. 

Any flooring option you choose for your walkway will have to be durable enough to withstand the traffic that goes over it without wearing out or breaking down. You should also pay attention to how you have to affix them to the ground to get them to stay in place. 

Budget

Before you shop, set a budget on how much you’re comfortable to spend with your new flooring options. If you have a large area, it’s going to be a delicate balancing act of not breaking your bank but getting enough coverage for all of your walkways. A budget will also help you narrow down your choices much faster because it can take some away right at the start of your search. 

Installation Process

Do you need any specialized tools to install your new outdoor flooring option? Usually, the answer is no. It typically installs by snapping together at the bottom layer. You may have to use a mallet to pound them into place, but most will allow you to simply push on them to snap them together. If you need specialized tools or adhesive, this can make the installation process more complicated. 

Anti-Slip Coating

It’s very important that you have an anti-slip coating on your walkway cover because doing things like vacuuming out your pond or watering your lawn and garden is going to get these walkways wet. If there is no anti-slip coating, this can make them a hazard to walk on. Some tiles have grooves in them that can help with traction while others come with a light coating that repels water and keeps the surface safe to walk on in any weather conditions. 

Outdoor Flooring Options – Frequently Asked Questions

You can get creative with your walkways and add small touches to customize how it looks and feels to anyone who sees it. Things like different textures and colors can help draw attention to it and help people navigate around your property.

1. How do you tell how much flooring material you need?

First, you want to measure the area where you want to install the outdoor flooring to get an idea on how large the size is. Most outdoor flooring materials come in 12-inch by 12-inch squares. Measure out your area and figure out how many of these squares you need. This will tell you how much you should buy. 

2. Do you have to rip up any existing flooring to install the outdoor flooring?

Most outdoor flooring options have an installation process called floating. This means that you install it right over your existing flooring. The existing flooring will give the new tiles a solid base to ensure they stay sturdy and stable. 

3. How do you care for your outdoor flooring?

This depends on which material you get. Stone and plastic-based usually require very little in the way of maintenance except for routine cleaning. Wooden tiles will need more work to keep them in good shape, and you typically have to seal and stain them once or twice a year. 

Bottom Line

You have a huge amount of flooring options available to help you renew your walkways and make your yard or garden look neat and tidy. I’ve outlined 10 great options for you, and you can use the reviews to compare the products. If you need help narrowing down your choices even further, take a look at the buyer’s guide. Make your final choice and spend an afternoon giving your walkways a facelift to help create an area that you can’t wait to hang out in.