These borders serve three main purposes:
Contain the patio or path Serve as a decorative element Act as a transition between the hardscape and the garden (softscape).
For an edging, bricks can be set vertically or angled for a jagged or toothed look. An invisible edge can be created by building a small underground footing that secures paving without visual support. The paving is set into a cast-concrete surface that conceals the footing. How it’s built: Pour concrete into forms or molds (pictured), then screed flush with the top of the forms, making sure edging is even with the paved surface. Concrete can be left smooth or given some kind of finish, like salt, aggregate, seeded-aggregate, travertine, stamping or tooling, along with tints and colors. Note: Don’t use loose rocks near a swimming pool. Note: Keep in mind that aluminum is more lightweight to work with than steel. Both look sleek and provide a nearly seamless transition from paving to surrounding areas. Again, like metal, plastic edgings are best for containing loose materials and would be a good choice for a children’s play area. Plastic or recycled edging also can be used with pavers or brick. It is fairly easy to install, can be covered with soil or sod, and creates a patio or path that has no visible edging.
