For the most part the edges are clean, except on the lower left (visible in photo) where a large tree and root were removed so the lawn dilineation was ragged. Cookie banner. The mortar should be workable but firm enough to support the weight of the block. Bed and even up the remaining stones, one after the other, keeping each one tight against the last. Use a spade or half-moon edger which has straight sides that cut straight down into the soil. Wedge a spade into the cut line and pry the waste asphalt away from the side of the driveway. Repeat all steps for the other side of the driveway. Drive a wooden stake into each end of the trench on both sides of the driveway. Secure the bases. At this house, a second apron also provides a transition from the gravel drive to a blacktop parking area by the garage. Install the rest of the blocks in the first 10-block section, using the same method. First, lay 5 to 10 blocks side by side next to the trench to determine the length of the first section. Tip: Most trash collectors won't take asphalt waste. Copyright 2022 This Old House Ventures, LLC. These aprons add more than style; they also provide a visual transition from the blacktop of the residential streets to the (usually) gravel driveways, and they keep the small stones from spilling into the road. There is also that rubbery edging sold at Home Depot. Any type of stone can be cut into Belgian blocks, but much of what you'll find available is cut from granite. Flower beds benefit from wide edging to make it more difficult for grass to cross into the bed, so install them with the long sides touching to make the edging wider. Belgian blocks, commonly referred to as sett stones, are rectangular blocks of stones extracted from quarries. Tie a mason's line to one stake at the marked line, pull it taut, and secure it at the mark on the other stake. Do I fill the gap with stone dust/sand or mortar? Repeat all steps for the other side of the driveway. Constant exposure to soil might make the blade go blunt. Keep reading to learn about what attracts these pests and find out how to get rid of drain flies. Alternatively, you can combine these methods to create edging with a mowing edge and a decorative curb above ground. Back in the horse-and-buggy days, it was common to see Belgian blocks paving American city streets. Start your subscription today and save up to 70%. Then you start placing them in the trench and filling the sides with concrete as you go. Set the first block in place, wiggling it into the concrete slightly until it's level and sits against the edge of the driveway. Repeat this step on the other side of the driveway. An asphalt driveway often looks a little ragged around the edges, especially after a season's worth of snow, salt, and shoveling. A Guide to Growing and Caring for Succulents, How to Choose the Right Color Scheme for Your Homes Exterior, The Benefits of Adding Outdoor Lighting to Your Home, An Installation Guide for Range Hood Vent Through Ceiling, 20 Budget-Friendly Ways to Boost Your Homes Curb Appeal, 10 Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Companies In Syracuse, NY, 10 Best Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Companies In Tonawanda, NY, Illuminate Your Space with these Small Bathroom Ceiling Light Ideas. Is there something I can do to make it look pleasing? Ive seen many that have gone bad. Lay the Belgian block on the sand base layer and push them tightly together. You probably see them most often in curbs along streets and paths. The driveway is abut 70' long, steeply inclined, and we're the last house on a dead end. Belgian blocks dont interlock like concrete or clay pavers, so they need a solid base and hard joints to handle vehicle traffic. Tie a mason's line tightly between the stakes in each trench, and set the line so that it's the height you want the blocks to be. I live in the region where Belgian block is an asset. For long or unevenly pitched driveways, place additional stakes at the midpoint and as needed along the trench's length, and tie the line to each one at the proper height. For the last 30 years, I have owned the landscape company Designing Eden LLC based in New Milford, CT. We offer landscape designs, landscape installations and garden maintenance services in Fairfield and Litchfield County Connecticut. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. Synopsis: Mason Fabiana Cruz gives a step-by-step tutorial on installing a Belgian-block driveway apron, from setting the base to cutting, laying, setting, and jointing the block, illustrated with photos from a recent apron installation. To get rid of it, contact local asphalt producers; they often recycle it. Thirdly, I guarantee that when your tire accidentally side swipes a perpendicularly placed belgium block, it will do a lot more damage to your tire. First, place 5-10 blocks next to the trench to gauge the length of the first section. There are many different types of termite killers out there, from liquid termiticides to bait stations and foams. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Skip to main content. something like this edging would look nice. Friday: Cut and prep the driveway's edges. I have dug trenches 10" wide and 7" deep along the edges of the driveway. Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation. Youll follow this line to cut through the asphalt. To stand up to heavy loads, these aprons should be constructed in three layers: a reinforced concrete base, a mortar bed, and the mortar-jointed Belgian blocks on top. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Avoid varieties with extensive root systems that could nudge the blocks out of place. Cover the concrete along the back edge of the trench with soil. Heres how to install one. Plant colorful flowers beside the edging when the weather warms up and you'll love how this project makes your whole front yard feel more spiffy. It also creates that nice clean edge yet isnt as imposing as it is when the stone is placed on edge. But now Im worried about the durability. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. With expertise in both landscape design and installation, were the right choice for you! Repeat for the remaining blocks in the first section, making sure theyre flush with the level line and one another. Mix a batch of concrete, following the manufacturer's instructions. Need Ideas for Exterior Color (Less Church-like) and Some Added Curb Appeal? When its warm enough, add colorful flowers and plantings next to the edging. Dig a trench about 4 inches wider than width needed for the Belgian blocks and 5 inches deeper than the height. Because these aprons are so common in this area, a lot of masons are asked to build them, and often theyre treated like a castpaver installation. Don't bother trying to hold the saw level; instead, let it sit on the asphalt and rock it forward to cut one small section at a time. My questions If youre not comfortable with dust, you can connect a hose to the fitting of the saw. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designing Eden, LLC has been serving Litchfield County and Fairfield County for over 30 years. Set jumbo blocks in 2" bed of concrete. As This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers demonstrates, installing the blocks requires just a few basic tools and a rented saw for cutting through the asphalt. (A little muscle for lifting the blocks helps, too.) I can confidently Set the first block in place, wiggling it into the concrete slightly until its level and sits against the edge of the driveway. Lay a line near the edge of one side of the driveway. Curb Appeal or should I say LACK OF Curb Appeal, HELP!! The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. Use a hand tamper or the blunt end of a digging bar to pack the stone tight. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. This edging consists of raised granite blocks installed in concrete along the edges of the driveway. So, the cost to install Belgian block driveway edging in both cases will differ. When installing edging against a driveway or walkway, position the blade against the paved surface and push it straight down, using the walkway or driveway as a guide. Smooth the surface of the concrete with a mason's trowel to cover the back of the blocks until you're about 2 inches beneath the top of the blocks. Pry the cut edges of the driveway away with an edging shovel. Check for level and adjust the rocks to achieve as close to level as possible. Tie a masons line to one stake at the marked line, pull it taut, and secure it at the mark on the other stake. I've seen his work on our street along a walkway that's been there for years, and it looks great. Belgian Block Curb: Prices range from $9-$11 per foot, installed. However, if youre too busy or you lack the technical know-how, you may also hire contractors to get the job done. To view the entire article, please click theView PDFbutton below. Thats all about the installation of Belgian block edging. The edges of an asphalt driveway need to be cut straight so that the blocks line up evenly against it. On this screen, select the option for trying Ubuntu without installing the OS: 11. She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Once all the blocks have been installed, use a push broom to sweep paver base into the joints between the blocks and between the blocks and asphalt. Landscape the Border. Erfahren Sie hierzu mehr in der Houzz Cookie-Richtlinie. Step 7 Trim and remove any excess mortar. Overall however the asphalt is in good shape - no cracks etc. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , This Old House; How to Install Belgian Block Driveway Edging; Jennifer Stimpson, Landscape Design Advice; Driveway Edgings in the Design. Sometimes, the asphalt in some areas wont be cut clean. Required fields are marked *. In this article, well share the pros and cons of the top termite killers on the market. With the right guidance and necessary tools, anyone can add a neat row of Belgian blocks to their driveway. Start by drawing a line along the edge of your driveway on one side. Dig a trench along each edge of the driveway. Add Concrete to a Short Section of the Trench. We have created our guide visualizing Belgian block edging as a DIY project. 4. The depth of the trench should be at least half the blocks height. Install the blocks set at soil grade with long sides touching, and add a second row of bricks set halfway in the soil with the short sides touching and the long sides facing front to back. Choose a location for your fire pit that is 20 feet from structures and overhanging tree branches, but close to a water source in case of emergency. Your email address will not be published. ?Would love some advice on whether it's worth doing. Any kitchens with MSI Calacatta Mirragio Duo quartz & White Dove cabs? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Tip: The asphalt waste will be difficult to dispose off. Shown: 11x7x4 Belgian block stones, around $4 per block at stone yards. Use a chalk line to mark the cuts. The Family Handyman: The Best Garden Bed Edging Tips, This Old House: How to Install Belgian Block Driveway Edging, How to Make a Walk With Pea Gravel and Concrete. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. As you set the first block, try wiggling it into the concrete so it sits flat against the edge of the driveway. Keep your protective gear handy to protect your nose, eyes, and mouth from all the dust. Lay garden hoses or rope to lay out the design for the edging; make the layout about 4 inches wider than the actual space needed for the Belgian block. Add 2 inches of 1/4-minus gravel or crushed rock to the trench and pack it tightly with a hand tamper. Use a block of scrap two-by-four lumber to spread it evenly. Snap the chalk line between each secured point to leave a clear, straight mark to follow when cutting the asphalt. One way of doing that is to neatly line up Belgian blocks on each side of your asphalt driveway. Homeowners like to use these blocks around flower beds, walkways, in their yards, and flank their driveways. Driven by the ethos that exceptional homes are achievable and that craftsmanship is an honorable and worthy pursuit, FineHomebuilding.com has become the go-to resource for professional tradesmen, deeply knowledgeable enthusiasts, industry influencers, and forward-thinking companies, who are collectively committed to shaping the way we build. Follow the same process on the other side of the driveway. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Can I hang 2 differently shaped pictures over the couch. 10. Sunday: Finish laying the stones and backfill with soil. Keep laying the blocks until the runs on both sides are done. Belgian block, or sett, is not a specific type of stone, but refers to the rectangular cut of the stone. Full curing may take up to a week, depending on the weather. When it's warm enough, add colorful flowers and plantings next to the edging. In spots where the asphalt was thicker or wasnt cut cleanly, use a brick set and a maul to remove loose or stray chunks. You can set the stone even with the surrounding soil grade if you want to be able to mow directly over the blocks. I assume they still have to do the top coat, so they'll do the cobbles then run the last coat of asphalt up to them? The second layer of sand should be as deep as half the height of the blocks so that half the blocks protrude above the soil and first row of embedded blocks. Saturday: Dig the trench and lay the stones. a) the current edge of the asphalt driveway is jagged in places and not straight -some places small pieces have broken off. They were careful with the job and it looks good, took them about a day for just the apron. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. I have dug trenches 10" wide and 7" deep along the edges of the driveway. The Belgian blocks form a clear border along the edge of the driveway, and you can install flower beds along the edges of the blocks, which protect the beds from being run over. Because I'm too lazy to look through my portfolio folder, here's the google maps of the house that belonged to my pediatrician when I was little (he lived on our street). Set jumbo blocks in 2 bed of concrete. Once youre done cutting the asphalt on both sides of the driveway, take a spade and remove the extra asphalt. If Belgian isnt used for curbing the driveway, we use metal edging, which isnt inexpensive either. Ugliest house on the block needs curb appeal ideas. If its difficult to remove the entire line of asphalt, cut them into small chunks. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Next, wait until the installer lets you choose between trying and installing Ubuntu. The first is the height of the blocks. Youll of course need the raw materials and the necessary equipment. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites. Step 6 Butter the inside end of the first block and then press the block into the mortar bed to create a 3/8 inch mortar joint. The going rate in our area is normally very high, but our landscaper is willing to do it for $2,000 which is a fantastic price. To get rid of it, contact local asphalt producers; they often recycle it. 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