On a carefully planned property, everything has its place; from flowerbeds and lawns to sidewalks. Proper delineation of the boundaries of these areas affects not only the aesthetics of the space, but also organizes the whole, delineates zones, and prevents overgrowth of grass and movement of plants – especially those creeping. For this purpose there are edging, which are functional connectors installed between two types of surfaces, such as lawn and garden beds or path. What are they made of and what is worth knowing about them?
What are the types of edging in the garden?
Edges are architectural elements that project the final character of the garden. They have a key impact on the atmosphere of the greenery, so before buying it, it is good to consider not only their color or shape, but also the material. This is one of the basic criteria for separating different types of edging.
This category includes plastic edging, eco edging, metal edging, wooden edging, stone edging, as well as concrete edging. Each of them performs the function of a barrier separating individual pavements, but the choice of the best solution depends on the nature of the property and the purpose.
What material for sidewalk edging?
If your property has hardened surfaces such as driveways or sidewalks , sidewalk edging is a must! Their task is not only the aesthetic crowning of traffic routes that guarantee the impression of order and harmony. It is a very important element that stabilizes and protects the surface. It performs an important function, so it is good to choose a solid material. Since backyard paths and squares are usually delineated by concrete slabs and cubes, it is best that the sidewalk edging is also made of concrete.
This will ensure consistency in the arrangement, and also affect the high performance of the pavement. For this purpose, you can use ready-made Bruk-Bet paving edges. Basic paving edges are available in the following dimensions: thickness 6 or 8 cm, height 20, 25, 30 cm and length 100 cm. They have several color variants, which gives the possibility to create attractive combinations that will add variety to the project. As a system complement to Novator large-format paving slabs, NOVATOR edging is very often chosen. It is slightly wider: 10 or 15 cm. In the case of public spaces, streets and access roads, road curbs, overrun curbs, curved curbs will be used.
Where to use palisade edging?
An interesting alternative to classic garden edging are palisade edging, i.e. landscaping elements that allow you to delineate the boundaries of individual surfaces in a more impressive way. They will separate zones, stabilize edges, and allow you to create flowerbeds, flowerbeds or rockeries, thanks to which you can even better expose plants and shrubs. TETRON and PROSPECT edging, like individual palisades, will also find use as finishing for staircases, protection of slopes and embankments, or as an element of a multi-level garden composition, which will enrich the area. This type of product can also be used to reinforce pedestrian pathways, crown driveways or parking lots in front of the house, and in the case of Bruk-Bet MEANDER® variants (which are distinguished by “lunar” indentations) to create gentle, arched finishes.
How to properly embed concrete edges?
Laying begins with the creation of a trench. In order to determine the appropriate height of the excavation, in which the curbs will be embedded, it is necessary to take into account the height:
– the subgrade concrete footing,
– the elements used.
NOTE: Curbs and edges do not need to be grouted, they should be laid maintaining open joints between them with a width of 3-10 mm.
Before marking out the line of edging, one row of cubes or concrete slabs should be laid in advance, which will allow you to correctly estimate the width of the pavement and, as a result, prevent unnecessary cutting of elements.
The installation of edges and curbs is carried out on a layer of semi-dry concrete C12/15, in which to a depth of 5-15 cm the elements are embedded and treated with concrete from the outside.
Start laying the edging before the concrete is fully set. All elements should be laid using the same pressure, so that the load is distributed uniformly on the substructure. The elements are laid on the same plane and height. A rubber mallet is used to level the individual elements.
The space around the house is very often the pride of the decorators. This area is the business card of the residents, so it is worth taking care of even the smallest details to make the whole delightful. After all, it is said that “the devil is in the detail”. – on the property these details are precisely the edges.
