How to Inlay a Sidewalk

Create a design plan for the inlay. Make a scale diagram of the sidewalk with a pencil and graph paper and sketch the pattern or design.

Roll out a strip of plastic equal to the surface area of the sidewalk, and place it parallel to the sidewalk. Lay the decorative pieces over the plastic exactly as you plan to inlay them in the sidewalk, and refer to the diagram for guidance. Leave between 1/8 and 1/2 inch of space between each piece so concrete will adhere to the sides.

Clean the sidewalk with a scrubbing brush and stain remover, because any surface debris will weaken the concrete bond. Use a hose to rinse the solutions and loose debris, and let the sun dry the surface.

Use a shovel to excavate a 6-inch-wide, 2-inch-deep trench on both sides of the sidewalk. Hammer wooden stakes every 4 feet inside the outer walls so the tops are 2 inches from the ground. Place 2-by-4-inch boards between the stakes and the sidewalk so the top sides are the same height as the stakes. Nail the stakes to the boards with galvanized nails. Note that one side of the sidewalk will be 1 inch lower than the other to provide drainage, so the stakes and form boards on that side should be 1 inch lower than the other side.

Dip a painter’s roller brush in a tray of bonding adhesive, and roll it over the sidewalk.

Mix a sack of sand-mix concrete and water in a concrete mixer. Shovel small piles of concrete onto the sidewalk surface and spread it with a gauged rake. Hold a 5-foot-long screed board across the width of the sidewalk starting at one end, and push it back and forth to move any excess into low areas so the new layer is flat.

Place the decorative inlay over the wet concrete. Wear gloves and work quickly to set the pieces before the concrete begins to harden. If the pieces vary in size, lay the biggest pieces first and fill in the rest with small pieces.

Push the inlay into the concrete with a wood float until a thin layer of concrete paste covers the top.

Use a soft-bristled push broom to remove the thin top layer of concrete and expose the inlay after it dries for a few hours. Do not remove too much concrete from the sides, because that would allow the pieces to dislodge. Hose off the removed concrete. Cover the sidewalk with breathable fabric, and block it off from traffic while it sets for four days.