Driveway Edgings In The Design

Driveway edgings can be a very nice design element. The use of them can be interesting, creative, and functional.

Most edgings that I am going to discuss apply to driveways that have a surface such as asphalt, concrete, pavers and brick.

The edgings are used as design elements.

Driveways constructed of loose stone are treated differently.

Driveway edgings can be either flat or raised.

Flat Edgings

• Lay brick, pavers or belgian block along the driveway edges. This looks particularly nice with asphalt surfaces, as it makes them more interesting.
• I like to use at least two rows so that driveway edgings do not get lost and really stand out!
• Brick or paver edgings can be laid the long way or perpendicular to the edge. When laying perpendicular, the brick takes up more space.
• If using pavers, 4 x 6 and 6 x 9 sizes work well.
• Edgings can also be designed as a different pattern than a field of pavers. For example, the main pavers may be laid in a basket weave design. The double row at the edges stands out since the pattern is different than the field. You can also change the color of the edging to add some variety.

Raised Edgings

• Raised edgings are set so that they extend above the paving. The ground on the other side, whether it be lawn or planting beds, is normally at the height of the blocks or a little lower.
• The most common raised edging is belgian block. Belgian block is actual  blocks of granite. This edging is set in concrete and can be expensive. Belgian block is available  in a standard size or jumbos.
• Belgian block can be used with almost any of the paving choices available. It looks nice with asphalt and pavers alike.
• Brick and pavers can also be used as raised edgings. They can be set in concrete for stability.
• These granite blocks also work if your driveway is loose stone. Granite block contain a loose stone  driveway well, preventing the stones from spilling into the lawn or planted areas.
• Loose stone can also be contained by steel edging.  It is an alternative to some of the more expensive edgings.

Loose Stone Driveway With Steel Edging

Here are some additional tips:

1. You can actually go to a stone yard and look at different types of loose stone. One of the least expensive is 3/4 inch crushed stone.
2. Try to coordinate the color of the paved edging to the color on your house and also on the front walkway.
3. Shapes should go well together also. For example if your house has brick on it, you might want to go with an edging of a different shape.

Costs

Any edging that is dry laid will be less expensive than if set in concrete. Comparing different material costs, assuming they are being laid in a similar manner, the list goes as follows:

(This is from least expensive to most expensive.)

Pavers - Brick - Travertine Pavers - Belgian Block

For a raised edging, steel would be the least costly.



 

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