Driveway Edging: A Guide to Driveway Enhancement

Your driveway says a lot about your home. After all, it’s one of the first things people see when visiting. A well-kept driveway can be a sign of a well-kept home, and an untidy driveway could indicate a cluttered property. However, sometimes, the very nature of what a driveway is made of can make something that looks presentable, turn very messy very fast! That is why many consider driveway edging as an option to improve the look of their drive

Driveway edging provides a visual and practical improvement to your drive and in this blog, we explain why.

What is driveway edging?

Before we dive any deeper, let’s explain what driveway edging is so you know whether it is an option worth considering. Driveway edging is simply a border that surrounds your driveway to add a visual improvement and added protection to it. You might even find that it drives up the value of your home a little!

Why add driveway edging to my drive?

As mentioned in our intro, your driveway can say a lot about your home. Adding driveway edging helps keep first impressions positive and may even see your home become more desirable when you come to sell it.

Improved kerb appeal

Where in the past your driveway may have lacked any visual attraction, the addition of driveway edging stones or edging blocks can enhance the kerb appeal of your home easily. Where once the driveway may have looked like a block of tarmac or concrete stuck outside the front of your home, the addition of edging gives it a touch of style and purpose.

Improved functionality

If, for example, your driveway is gravel, it soon becomes very easy for the surface to be displaced. The addition of edging to a driveway stops this and keeps everything contained. This means less work for you as you won’t be constantly picking out gravel from the grass!

Improved structure

With edging installed correctly, you can avoid the possibility of the driveway crumbling or losing any of its shape. This can be of great benefit in the long run as you won’t need to call upon anyone to get it back to its best.

Integration with the existing landscape

There is no one set rule for driveway edging and you can get quite creative. For example, if your driveway is set near your front garden, or leads down to a garden, adding flowers or shrubs to your edging allows a gentle transition to or from the garden.

Defined borders

Using driveway edging helps demonstrate a clear border between your driveway and garden. This not only helps improve the aesthetic and promotes a tidy driveway but also prevents weeds and more from creeping onto your driveway.

What materials can I use for driveway edging?

Driveway edging can come from a variety of materials. Much depends on the existing style of your home. For example, if you have a classic cottage or farmhouse, metal edging would probably not be your best option. It simply wouldn’t look right. Brick on the other hand could work well. It will also depend on what your driveway is made of. A tarmac driveway for example might look better with brick or stone edging compared to concrete edging.

Stone driveway edging

Stone edging can be an expensive option for your drive, but it does make for an attractive addition to your driveway that will never truly be out of style.

Concrete driveway edging

Concrete provides a fantastic option for driveway edging. Durable, affordable, and easy to put into a host of shapes, it’s a versatile option that doesn’t break the bank.

Metal driveway edging

For a more modern home, the inclusion of metal driveway edging can go some way to enhance the visual appeal of your home and driveway. Steel or aluminium are your best options.

Brick driveway edging

Perhaps one of the most popular driveway edging ideas is to choose brick. Able to complement a host of driveway styles and looks, the variable colours and shapes available mean you can create a truly unique aesthetic for your drive.

Wood driveway edging

Wood edging is another option that could work well. Relatively cheap, easy to install, and varied colours mean you can benefit from a quick fix that delivers long-term impact. Pine or treated hardwood can be a great option should this be the type of edging you are considering.

What about drainage?

You should put drainage considerations at the top of your list when considering driveway edging ideas. Improper drainage on a drive can lead to water pooling on your driveway surface. Over time, this could see the surface begin to deteriorate. You should ensure any edging allows for drainage and runoff, so your driveway remains in its best possible condition. Speak to a surfacing specialist like us if need be. Our experts ensure all surfaces are SuDS compliant where needed and maximise the drainage capabilities, reducing the risk of your driveway flooding or getting damaged.

Should I have raised driveway edging or flat driveway edging?

Much depends on what you want from adding edging to the driveway. If you want to create a defined border between the driveway and the garden or path, a raised edge would probably be best. This can certainly be both practical and attractive. If, on the other hand, you don’t feel the need to have a difference in height between the edging and the driveway, flat driveway edging can also deliver some impressive results. Where raised edging has a defined point where the driveway ends thanks to its height, flat edging achieves this by using contrasting colours or materials to illustrate the driveway border.

Driveway edging can elevate the kerb appeal of your home and help look after your garden and driveway. Whilst installing edging can be done by yourself, it would be suggested you speak to a surfacing specialist. Our team at Tidey & Webb has more than 40 years of experience in laying driveways and enhancing their visual appeal. From block paving driveways to the popular resin bound drives, we safely install and improve driveways throughout Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire. Why not contact us today to see how we give you an improved drive that’s easy to maintain?