Ever walked past a house with beautiful, clean lines, and no-nonsense curb appeal? Chances are, they have concrete landscape curbing.
Concrete curbing is a type of decorative edge around the outside of your property that provides protection from dirt, rainwater runoff, and erosion. It can also be used to define your landscaping areas or create an outdoor seating area. But what exactly is it made of? Read on for more information!
What Is Concrete Curbing?
It is the installation of curbing, edging, or walls that are made from mixed concrete. It can be formed into simple shapes or complex designs like circles, curves, and options like stairs, landings, etc.
We at Cache Curb Appeal specialize in decorative or landscape curbing projects. This means that our work is used in conjunction with other elements (like plants) to create custom patterns and decorative edges for patios, walks, driveways, and garden beds.
The concrete edging pieces can be molded into a decorative shape and texture to complement surrounding features.
Concrete curbing can also be used as an accent piece to highlight, improve, and make the design of the landscape stand out and look more attractive and appealing. This versatile product is great for creating custom borders for both residential and commercial applications. They offer support to fill materials like mulch, compost, or grass seed.
What Makes It Different from Brick, Wood, or Stone?
Concrete has more variety in color while offering a wide range of styles and finishes [link to options and styles page], while brick, wood, and stone offer some style options but limited color choices. Concrete also requires less maintenance than brick or stone. When it comes to durability, it is definitely more durable than wood.
When properly stained or treated with penetrating sealers, it will last longer than bricks, wood, or stones, which will eventually need to be replaced.
How Are Concrete Curbs Installed?
We provide a more detailed step-by-step process [add link to process page] on how we install concrete border edges and designs in Cache Valley. But here’s an overview. Please note that some contractors may have their own steps.
Usually, after the area has been prepared (typically this includes removing sod, compacting soil, adding base soil if needed, and taking care of tree surrounds), curbing is laid using specialized curbing equipment. We make sure we follow the landscape contour and pay attention to the locations of your garden hose using supplies like a concrete edging tool.
Any curved concrete curbs require coping blocks during the installation process so that they don’t stick out beyond the curve of your edge once it’s finished. Concrete landscape curbing can also be installed below ground level with steps built in if desired.
Decorative Concrete Curbing Styles and Colors
One of the things we love about decorative curbing is you can play around with many things, such as textures, patterns, styles, and colors. You can even add beautiful curbing stamps.
But here are some of the best-sellers:
- Bricks, concrete which is colored and molded to resemble brick
- Casts, which are molded to resemble stone and can be designed for specific areas such as corners and curves
- Stacked flagstone, which can look like natural stacked stone but manufactured to precise sizes that fit together perfectly
Concrete landscape curbing also comes in a wide range of styles from simple square edges to more ornate edging. You can choose from traditional styles to more modern choices, which have clean lines and sharp edges.
In addition to choosing from a “brick” style, you can also select a much larger “stone” pattern or natural stone curbing. It gives a unique smooth look that’s sure to impress any visitors who may wander through the yard or garden of homeowners.
For those who want their homes to stand out even more, there are specialty edging shapes like rounded squares and various ovals that create unique borders that are just as strong and durable as they are decorative.
Just let us know what you have in mind.
For best results, choose an edging style that matches the overall landscape design in terms of size, materials, and color palette. A uniformed look will ensure your house looks its best when you want to show off the beauty of your home to friends and family—or simply invite an enchanting atmosphere for yourself.
And be sure to ask someone who specializes in landscaping if any special type of professional installation is required for specific styles before making final purchasing decisions. If you don’t have a landscaper yet, let us know. We have amazing landscaping partners who can help.
As to colors, concrete landscape curbing is offered in a wide range of colors. Most manufacturers will offer at least 20 to 30 standard colors, with some offering as many as 50+ color options.
A few brands also offer the ability to mix their own custom color for those who want specific or unusual hues (such as turquoise blue). There are even companies that only specialize in concrete landscapes and can create custom pieces including garden walls.
One thing we can guarantee is we just don’t use any brand for color. Usually, we use Davis Paints. And no, we don’t paint over concrete. We add the color or shade right into the concrete mixture to make sure they look even and natural.
What Are the Benefits of Decorative Concrete Curbing or Edging?
Why do a growing number of homeowners and businesses love landscape curbing or edging? Here are some of its benefits:
1. Customization
Most manufacturers offer a wide range of colors and styles. This means that you can choose the color and style that will work best in your landscape and maintain the design and appearance throughout all elements (such as different seasons or changes in weather conditions).
2. Easy Maintenance
There is virtually no ongoing maintenance required when using concrete landscape curbing. All it requires is an occasional sweep with the broom or light pressure washer to remove debris like leaves or stick from its surfaces.
It also doesn’t require power washing every season to avoid damage. Plus, if you use a penetrating sealer, it can last for years without comprehensive treatments.
Keep in mind, though, that the first 48 hours after the installation process is crucial. Please check this page to learn how to care [link to care page] for your decorative curb.
3. Economical
Compared to stone or brick, decorative concrete curbing is less expensive due to the fewer materials needed for installation. Industrial-grade concrete landscapes are also affordable. You can also save more money in the long run since they don’t demand extensive maintenance.
4. Environmentally Friendly
Decorative concrete curbing uses natural raw materials and produces very little waste.
5. Mold and Mildew Resistant
We apply sealers on our colored concrete decorative curbing projects. Some apply two, but we always go for a bit more. This way, it won’t retain water, especially during rainstorms or winter.
Water can give mold and mildew a place to grow. This means you can avoid hours of scrubbing and costly treatments each year for wood borders and entryways.
6. Durability
Decorative concrete curbing is incredibly strong due to its dense composition, which is mixed with materials like sand. It’s designed for heavy wear while still maintaining the look you want without requiring professional installation or special tools.
Some designs can even be applied over existing brickwork or old concrete, allowing you to recycle an older landscape style without having to pay for a full replacement. However, you should always check with the manufacturer before making any alterations or repairs, especially if your borders are made from materials that are more brittle or fragile.
How Much Space Will You Need?
The amount of space you will need depends on the type and style of landscape curbing and your overall design and landscaping plans. However, as a very rough estimate, the curbing is about 6 inches wide. Plan for that width and the length is according to your needs.
If you’re not sure where to begin, contact us [add contact us page] for assistance on planning out your yard or garden borders.
We can also help measure the dimensions needed, especially if your plan involves curves or angled borders that require additional math skills (or larger measuring tape). A good rule of thumb is to allow a foot of space on either side of the landscape curbing for maintenance and aesthetic purposes.
Decorative concrete curbing styles can give you a new way to express your personality and improve the overall look of your home. From rich colors that pop or clean lines that emulate more modern designs, there’s a style that works for everyone.
And because it’s made from recycled or natural materials, you won’t have to spend extra money on new supplies, giving you one less thing to worry about when trying to improve the exterior of your
home.
Want to improve your yard appeal today? Get your Click Me!!! and schedule an on-site visit as soon as possible.
