A patio can be one of the most enjoyable parts of a backyard landscape. It provides an ideal space for outdoor living and entertainment. However, a basic concrete slab patio can sometimes seem a bit drab or uninspired. One great way to instantly enhance your patio’s aesthetic appeal is by incorporating creative concrete edging around the perimeter.
Concrete makes for a practical and durable patio edging material. It offers numerous possibilities when it comes to shape, texture, and design. You can keep it simple with a basic gray poured edge or get creative with color, patterns, and decorative aggregates blended into the concrete. Well-executed concrete edging lends definition to your patio while complementing the shape and allowing you to accessorize with plants, lighting and more. Let’s explore some of the most popular concrete edging options to consider for your patio.
Popular Concrete Edging Styles
Poured Concrete Borders
For a seamless look, opt for an edged poured concrete border along the perimeter of your patio. This involves building a sturdy wooden form to hold the concrete in place as it cures and hardens. The form should be placed at the precise depth and height you want your concrete border to be. Use stakes and screws to reinforce the form so it does not bend or bulge when the heavy concrete is poured in.
Make sure to prepare a packed gravel base before pouring so the concrete has a stable foundation. The concrete itself should be mixed to a firm, workable consistency. As you pour, use a trowel, float or edger tool to create smooth edges and the desired contour along the form. You can achieve soft curves or clean linear lines depending on your preferences. Allow a day or two for drying before carefully removing the forms.
If you want color, add concrete dye or pigments before pouring. For texture, try pressing stones, pebbles, glass fragments or seashells into the concrete while still wet. There are many options for cool decorative touches.
Precast Concrete Blocks
For a quicker installation, precast concrete edging blocks are a convenient alternative to poured borders. These manufacturing processes form sturdy, interlocking blocks in a range of sizes, shapes, colors and textures. The blocks feature connectors or lips that allow them to seamlessly fit together.
To install precast edging, prepare a 4-6 inch gravel base as your foundation. Use a level and stakes to ensure your base is even. Arrange the blocks along your patio’s edge, using a rubber mallet to tap them securely together. Backfill behind the edging with soil or gravel to further stabilize. Precast edging blocks come in straight and curved shapes to accomplish different patio dimensions.
Precast borders present a tidy finished look with less mess and labor compared to poured concrete. Just be aware that subtle color variations can occur with precast blocks, so inspect them closely before purchasing.
Stamped or Textured Concrete
For a decorative flair, consider stamping patterns or imprinting textures into concrete edging. Mats, stamps and rollers can create wood plank, cobblestone, brick, slate or other designs in the concrete surface. This adds visual interest and makes concrete resemble other high-end building materials for a fraction of the cost.
After pouring and smoothing your concrete border, simply press the stamp or roller tool into the surface while the concrete is still damp. This transfers the detailed impression into the concrete. You can also add color hardeners or powdered pigments to the concrete mix beforehand to tint the patterns and textures.
Textured, stamped concrete edging provides an elegant finish that dresses up a basic patio slab. It also enhances traction and safety along the patio’s edge.
Interlocking Concrete Pavers
Interlocking concrete pavers present another decorative edging option. These are precast concrete bricks or blocks that feature spacer tabs allowing them to connect snugly together. The small paving stones come in all types of colors, shapes, textures and patterns to deliver a customized border.
Installing interlocking pavers takes more time and care compared to basic precast edging. Each paver must be laid precisely and leveled to maintain overall alignment. Tamp down the pavers solidly and fill joints with sand. But the finished result is intricate detailing that beautifully complements the patio.
Just note that concrete paver costs tend to be higher than basic precast edging. Weigh the pros and cons for your specific patio vision.
Innovative Concrete Edging Ideas
Radius Edging
Beyond straight lines, concrete edging can curve and meander for a more organic patio shape. Radius edging with rounded corners has an updated, contemporary style. This is especially useful for designing oval, circular or curved patios.
When pouring the concrete, use flexible forms made from bendable wood or a rubber edging tool that glides smoothly to sculpt the rounded contours as desired. Allow the concrete adequate drying time before removing radius forms to prevent cracking or chipping.
The finished curvilinear concrete border helps the patio feel more integrated and flowing rather than boxy and harsh-edged. Radius lines also complement freeform garden beds and landscaping surrounding the slab.
Decorative Concrete
Make your concrete edging truly unique by blending in decorative aggregates and embellishments. Crushed glass chunks, sea glass fragments, marbles or pebbles add a glitter of color and texture when mixed into the wet concrete. Seashell pieces also create whimsical impressions across the edging surface.
You can also sculpture decorative mosaics, tiles or hand-pressed objects like leaves, flowers or fossils into the curing concrete for artsy, one-of-a-kind results. Let your creativity guide the design possibilities.
With decorative concrete edging, every patio can have its own personality and flair. This definitely surpasses the mundane look of basic gray concrete borders.
Colored Concrete
Why limit yourself to standard gray concrete edging? Adding color is an easy upgrade that allows your patio perimeter to complement your home’s exterior palette. For instance, match a red brick facade with rich auburn-hued concrete borders.
Concrete coloring is achieved by mixing in liquid or powdered concrete dyes and pigments before pouring the edging. Only use colorants specifically formulated for concrete to ensure they mix in evenly and won’t fade or leach out over time. Test samples first to get the shade just right.
Colored concrete edging is affordable, low-maintenance and presents a polished, unified look. Coordinate with potted plants and patio accessories for a professionally landscaped oasis.
Sloped Edging
For patios built on a grade or slope, a sloped concrete edge is recommended. This involves tapering the concrete to a lower height on the downside of the slope. Sloped edging improves drainage and directs rainwater runoff away from the slab edge instead of pooling.
When installing, survey the site to determine how much of a slope exists and the ideal edging angle. Use graduated form boards that account for the slope when pouring. Aim for approximately 1/4 inch of downward slope per foot of edging. This subtle angle prevents erosion while allowing easy mowing and trimming along the border.
With proper drainage and protection, sloped concrete edging helps safeguard hillside patios against weathering and keeps the entertaining area securely level.
Installing Concrete Edging
Achieving professional-looking results requires careful preparation and execution when installing concrete borders.
Pay close attention to details like ensuring the gravel base is level and forms are straight and well-braced. Use a float to gently smooth the contours as you pour the concrete. Work slowly and methodically for best results. Don’t rush through the steps or allow the concrete to begin hardening before you’ve shaped the edging and smoothed the surface.
If designing a decorative or stamped edging, press molds, stamps, or additional materials into the concrete when the surface is semi-firm but still impressionable. Remember that the concrete continues curing and strengthening over several days. Avoid disturbing or walking on it during this critical time.
Maintaining and Protecting Edges
Like any concrete, patio edging requires proper care and maintenance to look its best over the long term. Here are some tips:
- Apply a penetrating concrete sealer annually. This prevents moisture damage and staining.
- Check for cracks or deterioration once a year. Use concrete epoxy filler to patch small cracks.
- Avoid shoveling or piling snow against the edging which can cause freeze-thaw damage.
- Pull any encroaching weeds or grass to prevent roots from compromising the edging.
- Repair larger cracks or issues before they worsen. Be proactive.
With routine sealing and occasional repairs as needed, quality concrete edging can gracefully withstand years of changing seasons and patio foot traffic.
Costs of Concrete Edging
What should you budget for a new concrete border installation? Several factors affect the overall price, including:
- Edging length/perimeter – More linear feet of edging means higher labor and concrete costs.
- Style complexity – Basic gray poured edging has lower costs than decorative stamped designs.
- Professional vs. DIY – Hiring a contractor costs more but saves labor and ensures expertise.
- Accessibility – Difficult access for tools and materials may increase pricing.
However, concrete remains one of the most affordable edging materials, with these ballpark costs:
- Basic poured concrete edging – $5 to $10 per linear foot installed
- Precast concrete blocks – $2 to $7 per linear foot
- Stamped concrete – $8 to $15 per linear foot
For a 10×12 foot patio, perimeter edging costs may range from $200 on the very low end to $600 or more for detailed stamped borders. Compare quotes to find the best value for your budget.
With so many design options, concrete is an ideal material for enhancing patio edges. Sleek poured borders, precast blocks, stamped designs, and integrally colored concrete present attractive and affordable possibilities. Radius edging, decorative aggregates and slope-matching borders also allow you to customize for an exciting look.
Concrete edging not only defines the patio visually but also protects the slab from erosion and retains surrounding gravels or garden materials. By investing in creative perimeter edging, you can elevate a lackluster patio into an inviting outdoor living space showcasing your personal style.
