What is Driveway Edging?
Driveway edging is a landscaping and interlocking technique used to create a defined boundary between your driveway and the surrounding lawn or garden areas. It involves installing materials like bricks, stones, or concrete along the edges of the driveway to keep gravel or other materials in place, prevent erosion, and provide a clear separation between different surfaces.
Beyond its aesthetic value, edging offers several practical benefits that help maintain the integrity of the space and keep your property organized and visually appealing. Here are some key benefits of adding driveway edging.
- Protects landscapes from wear and tear caused by vehicles
- Prevents gravel spread from gravel driveways
- Controls erosion by stabilizing the edges of the driveway
- Improves curb appeal
- Defines boundaries
- Lowers the risk of tripping hazards by keeping the driveway edges well-defined and level with the surrounding surfaces
Understanding the benefits that driveway edging offers puts you in a position to make informed decisions about what driveway edging ideas will work best for your property. By recognizing how edging can enhance curb appeal, protect your driveway, and improve overall functionality, you can choose the most suitable materials and designs that align with both your aesthetic preferences and practical needs.
Popular Driveway Edging Ideas
There are many driveway edging ideas available, each offering a unique combination of style, durability, and functionality. These options can add a touch of elegance, improve the structural integrity of your driveway, or create a clear boundary between your driveway and the surrounding landscape. Whichever option you choose, it will improve your curb appeal.
Flat Edging
Flat edging is a type of driveway border where materials like bricks, pavers, or stones are placed level with the ground. This means the edge is smooth and doesn’t stick up above the driveway. Flat edging is best used when you want a simple, low-profile look without any raised edges.
It’s great for driveways next to walkways or lawns where you don’t want anything that could cause someone to trip or make it hard to mow the grass. It also works well for driveways where you want cars to move smoothly without any bumps.
Raised Edging
Raised edging is a type of driveway border where materials like bricks, stones, or concrete blocks are placed above the level of the driveway, creating a raised edge or barrier. This edging stands higher than the driveway surface, making it more visible and defined.
Raised edging is best for containing loose materials, like gravel to prevent them from spreading onto the lawn or surrounding areas. It’s also ideal if you want to create a structured look that adds depth or character to your driveway. Raised edging is best if you’re looking for a strong, durable border that clearly defines the driveway and helps keep everything in place.
Gravel Driveway Edging
Gravel driveway edging is a border used to keep gravel on your driveway contained, preventing it from spreading onto your lawn or other areas. Typically made from materials like wood, bricks, stones, or metal, this edging is essential for maintaining the shape and structure of gravel driveways. It helps keep loose gravel in place, which reduces the need for frequent taking or adding more gravel. It’s especially useful on sloped areas where gravel might shift. Gravel driveway edging ideas not only help manage gravel but also boost curb appeal by maintaining a clean, defined look with less maintenance effort.
Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt edging is a narrow, raised border made of asphalt that runs along the edges of driveways or walkways. It blends seamlessly with the asphalt surface, creating a clean and cohesive look. This edging is durable and helps prevent the asphalt from spreading or cracking over time.
Homeowners might choose asphalt edging to enhance the appearance of their driveway, provide a clear boundary, and protect the asphalt from damage caused by weather or vehicle traffic. It’s a practical choice for maintaining a neat, long-lasting driveway.
Interlocking Edging
Interlocking edging is a border made from individual pavers or blocks that lock together to create a strong, stable edge around driveways, walkways, or garden beds. It has a clean, structured appearance that can be customized with different colours and shapes to match the surrounding landscape.
Interlocking edging is an excellent choice for driveways because it prevents the spread of gravel or soil, maintains the shape of the driveway, and adds a polished, finished look. Its durability and flexibility make it resistant to shifting and weathering, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Concrete Edging
Concrete edging is a type of driveway border made from poured concrete, creating a solid and durable edge along the driveway. This edging can be moulded into various shapes and sizes, allowing for both straight and curved designs. Concrete edging creates a curb and is best for those looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance option that provides a clean and modern look.
This type of edging is perfect for anyone who needs a strong, long-lasting border that can handle heavy use and bad weather. It keeps your lawn and soil in place and stops erosion. You can customize it to match both modern and traditional styles, making it a great choice for improving the look and function of your driveway.
Wood Edging
Wood edging is a popular driveway border made from wooden planks, logs, or timber. This type of edging gives your driveway a warm, rustic look that blends well with gardens, wooded areas, or rural landscapes. The wood used for edging can be treated to resist weathering, extending its lifespan, or left untreated for a more natural, aged look that gradually develops character over time.
It’s a great option for those looking for an eco-friendly, sustainable choice, as it uses renewable materials. It’s relatively easy to install and can be customized to fit the specific shape and layout of your driveway, making it a versatile solution for various driveway designs. Wood edging helps define the boundaries of your driveway, effectively keeping gravel, mulch, or soil contained and preventing it from spreading into surrounding areas.
Stone Edging
Stone edging is a driveway border made from natural stones like flagstone, slate, or fieldstone. It creates a strong, durable edge along the driveway. The stones can be rough and irregular or smooth, depending on the desired look. Stone edging has a natural appearance that blends well with various types of landscaping. The colour and texture of the stones give a solid, grounded look to the driveway.
Stone edging is a popular choice because it is long-lasting and requires little maintenance. The stones stay in place, effectively keeping gravel, soil, or mulch within the driveway and preventing erosion. Stone edging also clearly defines the boundary of the driveway, making it a practical and visually appealing choice for homeowners.
Hedge Edge
Hedge edging is a type of driveway border created by planting low-growing shrubs or hedges along the edge of the driveway. Common plants used for this purpose include boxwood, cedar, and dogwood which can be shaped and maintained to form a continuous green border.
Hedge edging has a natural, living appearance that adds greenery to the landscape. The plants can be trimmed for a neat, formal look or allowed to grow more freely for a softer, more organic feel. It’s ideal for those who want to integrate their driveway into the surrounding landscape, blending the hard surface with the natural environment.
Steel Edging
Steel edging is a type of driveway border made from thin strips of steel that are installed along the edge of the driveway to create a clean, defined boundary. However, you can also use a drainage system to the edge of your driveway. The steel strips are usually anchored into the ground, providing a strong and durable edge that is resistant to weathering and corrosion. Whereas, landscape drainage systems direct water runoff away from the driveway, preventing erosion and damage to the steel edging.
It has a sleek, modern appearance and blends seamlessly with various landscape styles. Homeowners who prefer a minimalist, low-maintenance option often choose steel edging for its durability and ability to withstand harsh weather.
Border Landscaping Edging
Border landscaping combines plants and landscaping elements to create a natural boundary along the edges of a driveway. This approach uses a mix of shrubs, flowers, and sometimes small trees to define the driveway while adding aesthetic appeal to the property.
This type of edging is ideal for homeowners who want to blend their driveway seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. It enhances curb appeal by adding colour and texture, making the driveway a more attractive feature of the home. Choosing the right driveway edging ideas is a smart investment that improves both the functionality and appearance of your home.
Whether you’re looking to improve curb appeal, protect your driveway, or create a more defined and organized outdoor space, the right edging can make a significant difference. If you’re thinking about enhancing your driveway with edging, Thornton Hardscape Inc. is ready to help. With over 35 years of landscaping experience in Muskoka, we understand the local environment and can help you find the right solution for your property. Contact our team to request a free quote today.
