I wanted some paths between some of my bushes, but I didn’t want the look of concrete stepping stones or gravel. A redwood boardwalk seemed like a good choice, and a nearby lumberyard sells 2×6 redwood culls for almost nothing. I cut the 2x6s into 14-in. treads, and then I linked the treads together with plumber’s tape and roofing nails. Each segment of my path has between five to nine treads in it, which makes them very manageable, and the treads are arranged with their crowns pointing up to ensure good drainage.
Victor A. Maletic, Antioch, CA
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #42
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That sounds like a great idea. I take it by plumber's tape that you are talking about copper perforated tape? I'm looking forward to trying this out, and I hope I can find some cheap redwood boards. Ruth
If you use the copper tape use copper nails. This will also be good to ward off slugs & snails. Otherwise, use galvanized roofing nails with galvanized tape. Anyone want to chime in on copper and redwood? This might also be a good way to use up pallet boards (if they are cedar).
R2B4 asked the same question I was going to ask - using the term "Plumber's tape" may be confusing to some in that teflon tape also carries that same label. Not a bad idea, but it's guaranteed that grass & weeds will grow up between the boards. I would consider adding landscape fabric to the bottom in addition to the metal strapping (tape) to discourage vegetative growth between the boards.