You'll have to excavate an eight-inch deep edge along your driveway, clean the edges with a chisel and a sledgehammer, and stake the line to make sure everything lines up correctly. $2k for lining that driveway is a steal. For one, it's easier to get lawn mowers and other machinery over. Lay a chalk line along one edge of the driveway and drive nails into the driveway next to the chalk line every 5 feet. Lay a line near the edge of one side of the driveway. Keep dust down when using the concrete saw by running water through the saw or having an assistant spray the driveway in front of the saw. In spots where the asphalt was thicker or wasnt cut cleanly, use a brick set and a maul to remove loose or stray chunks. 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. Thats all about the installation of Belgian block edging. The next step is to mark the cut line. Measuring from the driveway's surface, mark the desired height of the blocks above the asphalt on both stakes. Repeat all steps for the other side of the driveway. Secure a Chalk Line Photo by Kolin Smith The edges of an asphalt driveway need to be cut straight so that the blocks line up evenly against it. the trench should be about 8 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Process for Belgian block was: Compact soil, already undisturbed. You can let the saw sit on the asphalt and push it ahead to slash small sections. Shown: 11x7x4 Belgian block stones, around $4 per block at stone yards. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites. Thanks! Repeat this process in every section. They were careful with the job and it looks good, took them about a day for just the apron. In the BIOS menu, select the USB stick and then select the first option to try or install Ubuntu: Select the installer option when booting from the installation medium. To get rid of it, contact local asphalt producers; they often recycle it. belgian block Basic mortar for masonry is a mixture of sand, cement and lime (ASTM standard). Here are the steps that you need . Here's how to install one. 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. You can improve the appearance of the driveway by installing Belgian block edging. this was also in NJ. My questions Is it supposed to keep ants from falling over the edge? Use a hand tamper or the blunt end of a digging bar to pack the stone tight. Before we move ahead, lets get to know more about Belgian block edge. Ready to join the 100,000+ homeowners matched with pros? 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. Now, tie the chalk line to the nail at one of the ends and pull it so its taut before you tie it to the rest of the nails to form a line. The concrete should be stiff in consistency and it should fill up to the level of the asphalt surface. To help you through the process, we have come up with a simple installation guideline below. Centuries back, these stones were used to pave streets but over time, they came to be used mainly for decorative purposes. 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. Pros and cons? Jump on that before he rechecks his math! We have created our guide visualizing Belgian block edging as a DIY project. The concrete base is 6 in. Sunday: Finish laying the stones and backfill with soil. Next to the line, hammer nails partway into the asphalt, one at each end of the driveway and a few along its length, about 5 feet apart. Saturday: Dig the trench and lay the stones. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. The edge of the lawn around your driveway often suffers from being run over by cars, high temperatures from the driveway absorbing heat from the sun or salt being spread on the driveway in the winter, which winds up in the grass. Belgian blocks, commonly referred to as sett stones, are rectangular blocks of stones extracted from quarries. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . With a pulling motion, smooth the concrete against the back of the blocks at an angle until the top of the concrete sits about 2 inches below the top of the blocks. With a pulling motion, smooth the concrete against the back of the blocks at an angle until the top of the concrete sits about 2 inches below the top of the blocks. For stability, no more than half the blocks height should project above the asphalts surface, so the trenchs depth should be at least half the blocks height, plus 1 inch to make room for adding concrete below them. After digging a trench on either side, you now need to decide how tall the blocks should be. If you choose to lay two rows of Belgian block with the front row set at soil grade and the back row protruding slightly above soil, lay the front row first and add a layer of sand behind the blocks to form a sort of platform to elevate the back row of blocks. Live from the International Builders' Show, Josh Salinger discusses keeping water out of basements with this membrane from Delta-MS. Avoid varieties with extensive root systems that could nudge the blocks out of place. say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." I want to lay the blocks at an angle (vs placing them vertically) in concrete (using sakrete mix). Keep laying the blocks until the runs on both sides are done. Finish Installing the Edging. When you have placed the blocks on both sides of the driveway, sweep off the paver base into the gaps between the blocks and the asphalt and the space between each block. What would you suggest so that I can get a clean edge? Dig a trench along each edge of the driveway. Hold the brick set at a slightly vertical angle so that theres better support to undercut the surface. Use a chalk line to mark the cuts. Install the First Run of Blocks. 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. Mortar and finish joints, most about 3/4". Adding a neat row of Belgian block stones to each side of an asphalt driveway will boost its curb appeal while also providing a clear visual aid as you back out or pull in. Asphalt drives are ideally 3-4 inches thick, so be careful not to push your saw deep into the soil beneath the base. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Lay the Belgian block on the sand base layer and push them tightly together. Utah Curbing: Cost ranges from $3.70-$5.20 per linear foot with a minimum order of 100 feet, though discounts are available for projects requiring 200 square feet or more. The recommendation is to use the mortar with the LOWEST strength possible to carry the load. You probably see them most often in curbs along streets and paths. Choose how you wish to install the block and measure the dimensions of the block to determine the width and depth of the trench needed. If the edging is installed along a lawn or a flower bed, use mulch from the flower bed to refill the back of the trench. 6. Fill the gap in the trench behind the blocks with concrete until it's about as high as the driveway. If you lay the blocks with the long sides touching, the trench will be much wider than if you lay them with the short sides touching. Copyright 2022 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Add Concrete to a Short Section of the Trench. Need Ideas for Exterior Color (Less Church-like) and Some Added Curb Appeal? Carson Barrett began writing professionally in 2009. With the right guidance and necessary tools, anyone can add a neat row of Belgian blocks to their driveway. Place the first block into the concrete, pushing it up against the edge of the driveway and tapping on it with a rubber mallet until the top is even with the mason's line. Friday: Cut and prep the driveway's edges. Plant colorful flowers beside the edging when the weather warms up and youll love how this project makes your whole front yard feel more spiffy. There are many different types of termite killers out there, from liquid termiticides to bait stations and foams. I could try to provide a photo tomorrow once there's daylight to get one, if that would help? (A little muscle for lifting the blocks helps, too.) If the edging is installed along a flower bed, fill in the back side of the trench with mulch from the flower bed. Pry the cut edges of the driveway away with an edging shovel. 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. Mark the desired height above the asphalt along each side. do it if you like it. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Belgian block is now most commonly used decoratively in yards and proves a durable material for edging flower beds, driveways and walkways. At least half of Belgian blocks should be set in the ground, but you can set the stones even with soil grade to make a clean mowing edge. Still, Belgian blocks are a popular go-to when cities or homeowners want to dress up a space. But if you want to do it on your own, you will save on labor costs. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! How to Fix a Sinking Driveway Drainage System, Melting Snow: Heated Driveway Systems vs. Portable Heating Mats, Driveway Repair and Replacement: Options & Costs. 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. Drive a stake at each end of the trench. However, if youre too busy or you lack the technical know-how, you may also hire contractors to get the job done. Belgian blocks dont interlock like concrete or clay pavers, so they need a solid base and hard joints to handle vehicle traffic. They were careful with the job and it looks good, took them about a day for just the apron. Wedge a spade into the cut line and pry the waste asphalt away from the side of the driveway. 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. You can choose virtually any layout to create edging for your garden, but you must provide a sturdy base layer to prevent the Belgian blocks from shifting. Im an engineer and overthink everything. Snap the chalk line tied to the two ends so that it leaves a straight mark on the asphalt. Increase the depth of the stone base layer to a total of up to 12 inches in very clay soil to support the blocks, especially when installing edging along flat, paved surfaces where shifting is even more noticeable. Fill in the trench around the stones with top soil and pack it well so the blocks don't shift. This is often the cause of swales in cobblestone and Belgian block streets. The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. Plant the plants of your choice along the back edge of the Belgian blocks to provide a more attractive border. Tip: The asphalt waste will be difficult to dispose off. Would love input on whether doing Belgian block curbing would be a good investment/necessary/increase perceived home value/superfluous/of no consequence one way or the other? Why is that? Steps to Follow. 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. Measuring from the driveways surface, mark the desired height of the blocks above the asphalt on both stakes. The whole assembly is about 1 ft. thick and should be built on undisturbed soil. Is there something I can do to make it look pleasing? Tip: Don't let the saw penetrate the base course or soil under the asphalt, as this will dull the blade. Drive a stake at each end of the trenches and tie a masons line to mark the desired height. You'll install the edging in 5- to 10-block sections, filling the trench with concrete as you go. To help you through the process, we have come up with a simple installation guideline below. Trees and wild bushes end of street, bank going down to a brook just beyond them. The more lime, the more workable with more resiliancy, but the lower strength. Place the first block into the concrete, pushing it up against the edge of the driveway and tapping on it with a rubber mallet until the top is even with the mason's line. Any kitchens with MSI Calacatta Mirragio Duo quartz & White Dove cabs? Below is a picture of belgium block placed on angle. Belgian block was once widely used to pave streets and can still be found in some cities hundreds of years after installation. Pittsburgh City Paper: Were Pittsburgh's Original Finished Roads and Streets Paved With Cobblestone, Belgian Block or Some Other Type of Brick? You can make the decision, based on your convenience and budget. That sounds like a nice idea, right? Cut the edges of the driveway away along the chalk line with a concrete saw. Make the depth of the trench half the height of the Belgian blocks plus 1 inch, and 3 to 4 inches wider than the blocks. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Using a concrete saw, cut the asphalt along the chalk line. Stabilize the blocks by filling the extra spaces in the trench with concrete. 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. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Lay a line near the edge of one side of the driveway. Keep your protective gear handy to protect your nose, eyes, and mouth from all the dust. With expertise in both landscape design and installation, were the right choice for you! Add another 2 inches of gravel or rock and tamp it down. Using a masons trowel, fill the trench behind the blocks with concrete, mixed to a stiff consistency, until its level with or slightly higher than the asphalts surface. But if they're saying the driveway is completed and the cobbles will go next to the asphalt with all the wobbly edges that come with it? Theres a lot of sketchy scholarship about where these granite blocks came from and how they got their name, but this much is true: They can take a pounding and look good doing it. b) Once I lay block on concrete I expect that there will be varying gaps of upto an inch or more between the block edge and the asphalt edge because the edges of the blocks are rough. We place half the concrete, lay-in welded wire reinforcement, place the rest of the concrete, rake it roughly flat, and compact it with the faces of the rakes. Constant exposure to soil might make the blade go blunt. Snap the chalk line between each pair of nails to create a guide to follow when cutting the driveway's edges. Continue adding rock until the finished depth of the stone base after compaction is 4 inches; the remaining depth of the trench should be 1 inch plus the depth you wish to set the Belgian block. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Nothing ruins warm weather fun like a mosquito bite. Concrete usually takes about a week to fully cure and be adequately rigid. Then comes the crucial step of digging the trench by the sides of your driveway. Looks like there are a lot of ways to do these. 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. So, the cost to install Belgian block driveway edging in both cases will differ. below the top of the sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand. For one, its easier to get lawn mowers and other machinery over. Tie a masons line to one stake at the marked line, pull it taut, and secure it at the mark on the other stake. He includes details of the ratios of Portland cement to sand to create the bond bridge, mortar bed, and mortar joints for the three-layered installation, and descriptions of the tools that help get the job done. 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