Landscape Architect Articles

LCN PMBR October 200511-08-05 | News

Paver Edge Restraints

By Jenny Boyle, regional editor

In the world of paver edge restraints there are several options to choose from. But how do you decide what works best for your specific project? Al Green, a hardscape contractor, certified by the Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute, and president of EZ Edge paver restraints, says that a manufactured edge restraint is almost always the easiest, quickest and most economical choice, although there are times when cast in place concrete edging may be a more appropriate option.

Plastic edge restraints, like the E-Z edge, are flexible, durable and can be less expensive than concrete edging systems. Images courtesy of E-Z edge

Green says that there are four components to building an interlocking paving system: the base, sand, pavers and the edge restraint. He has developed a complete, easy to follow; step by step DVD that will show you exactly how to build a beautiful, long lasting interlocking paving system, as well as how to determine how deep to excavate, how to install and compact the base, how to set the finish grade, how to install the edge restraints, how to screed the bedding sand, how to set and cut the pavers, how to install the joint sand and more.

Depending on traffic, the compacted aggregated base will be four (pedestrian) to seven (vehicular) inches deep. An edge restraint is staked down with 10-inch spikes to hold it in place. Green recommends staking one side, laying the pavers, and then going back to install the edge restraint on the other side.

Edging Options

There are several edging systems on the market?EUR??,,????'??+- everything from wood, metal, concrete and plastic can be used as edge restraints. Green says that he has tried them all to find out what works best. ?EUR??,,????'??Edge restraints are a critical component to an interlocking paver system,?EUR??,,????'?? he says. ?EUR??,,????'??The edging has to be installed in such a way that it holds the entire system together. Otherwise you don?EUR??,,????'???t have an interlocking paving system?EUR??,,????'???you just have a bunch of loose bricks.?EUR??,,????'?? Let?EUR??,,????'???s examine our options:

Some manufactured edging requires spiking outside the pavers where the base is weakest. An ?EUR??,,????'??L?EUR??,,????'?? shaped edge restraint allows for the spikes to be set under the pavers where the base is stronger, while making them virtually invisible to the customer.

Wood: Green says wood (say, your typical 2 X 4 or railroad tie), is generally used by a homeowner who may not be aware of the other options. ?EUR??,,????'??It works for straight runs, but very difficult for curves,?EUR??,,????'?? he explains. ?EUR??,,????'??Wood doesn?EUR??,,????'???t flex the way PVC does and it?EUR??,,????'???s hard to make a radius.?EUR??,,????'?? Green says wood is not a viable option for professional use because it can deteriorate or warp in the soil. ?EUR??,,????'??If somebody likes the railroad tie look that?EUR??,,????'???s one thing, ?EUR??,,????'??he says. ?EUR??,,????'??But it?EUR??,,????'???s not a good edge restraint.?EUR??,,????'??

Metal: ?EUR??,,????'??Metal edge restraints don?EUR??,,????'???t have very much market share,?EUR??,,????'?? says Green. Though the aluminum or steel can be spiked down just like a plastic restraint, it has a tendency to kink when tossed in the back of a contractor?EUR??,,????'???s truck, which happens often. Green says it also leaves very sharp edges.

Concrete (submerged or exposed): Green says that if concrete is properly mixed and installed, it can work very well and look beautiful. ?EUR??,,????'??But the mix design has to be high quality,?EUR??,,????'?? he says. ?EUR??,,????'??You must have the correct amount of aggregate, cement and water because if the mix is not made just right, the concrete will be weak.?EUR??,,????'?? Green says that is the risk of working with concrete because it has to be mixed on site, rather than in a facility where it can be controlled. He also says the process can be time-consuming and dirty. ?EUR??,,????'??Also, when I?EUR??,,????'???m selling a homeowner on pavers, I?EUR??,,????'???m not just talking about how good they look, I?EUR??,,????'???m talking about how they work?EUR??,,????'???they?EUR??,,????'???re flexible and they?EUR??,,????'???re mortar less,?EUR??,,????'?? he says. ?EUR??,,????'??But if I use a concrete edging, it?EUR??,,????'???s not flexible, it?EUR??,,????'???s not easy to fix if there?EUR??,,????'???s a plumbing problem a few years down the line and it has to be dug up, it is more difficult to repair than plastic edging.?EUR??,,????'?? But Green is quick to say that concrete is the best choice in some instances. ?EUR??,,????'??Don?EUR??,,????'???t get me wrong, concrete is a great option,?EUR??,,????'?? he says. ?EUR??,,????'??If you?EUR??,,????'???re going to be driving off the edge of a pavement, (concrete) holds well if it?EUR??,,????'???s built properly. If you build an exposed curb with concrete, it?EUR??,,????'???s very expensive, but it?EUR??,,????'???s a good restraint and it looks great.?EUR??,,????'??

Manufactured Plastic: Contractors like manufactured plastic edge restraints because they are very easy to install, flexible, durable and inexpensive and there are several types on the market. Often these restraints come in a single piece that will adapt to straight or curved edge. With a single piece design to make a curve you must snip every few inches to allow it to bend. Green thought this constant cutting to make curves was too time consuming so he started using a system with both a straight piece and a flexible piece that can be installed without any cutting or snipping, making it faster and easier to install than any other manufactured edging. The ?EUR??,,????'??L?EUR??,,????'?? shaped design of the EZ Edge always allows for the spikes to be set under the pavers where the base is compacted best. This gives the edge restraint maximum holding power and also allows for the pavers to be set next to a fence or landscaping. Other manufactured edging requires that you spike outside the pavers where the base is the weakest and when complete you and your customers are looking at unsightly nail heads and plastic. With EZ Edge the edging disappears and your customers see only their beautiful pavers.

Restraints often come in a single piece that will adapt to straight or curved edge. To make a curve with a single piece design you must snip every few inches to allow it to bend. Green started a system with both a straight piece and a flexible piece that can be installed without any cutting or snipping.

Green has been installing interlocking pavers for many years. He has the option to use whichever type of edge restraint that works best. Green says that EZ Edge saves time and money, his crew prefers to use it, and his customers are always happy with it. If you would like a sample of EZ Edge paver restraints, please give him a call at (800) 517-8069 or you can email him at: info@ezedge.net. The DVD titled ?EUR??,,????'??Paver Installation Guide?EUR??,,????'?? can be purchased for $9.95 by calling (800) 517-8069 or you can order by email at the web site: info@ezedge.net