Concrete Patio Border: Diy Guide And Tips

Adding a border to a concrete patio can be a great way to elevate its appearance and give your outdoor living space a finished look. A well-designed border can help define the area, add character and personality, complement the overall look of your home, and enhance your outdoor living experience. There are endless design options available, allowing you to create a custom look that suits your budget, style, and available space. From contrasting colours and patterns to brick walls and flower beds, there are many ways to border a concrete patio.

Use contrasting colours

Using contrasting colours is one of the simplest ways to define concrete borders and make your outdoor space pop. You can achieve this look by using tile, stone, or paint to create a border in a different colour from the centre of your patio.

If you want to keep things subtle, opt for colours that are only slightly different in shade, such as stone grey and light grey. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, try pairing complementary colours or shades from the same colour family. For example, a darker shade of grey can be used to imitate stone while also providing a great backdrop for bolder accent colours.

For a seamless look, consider using stamped concrete to create a faux stone design. This technique involves using concrete stamps to apply patterns, such as flagstone, cobblestone, or slate, to your patio. You can then add a contrasting border in a lighter colour to make the stone textures stand out. Not only will this create a unique appearance, but it will also be more durable and lower maintenance than natural stone.

If you're looking for a cost-effective solution, concrete curbing borders offer versatility and a modern look. With a wide range of colours and textures available, you can easily find a combination that complements your outdoor space. Concrete curbing is also known for its low upkeep, making it a great choice for those who want a polished look without the hassle of high maintenance.

To add a touch of artistic contrast, you can use mosaic tile borders. Available in glass, ceramic, and stone, these borders bring brilliant colours and individuality to your patio. Whether you use pre-made sheets or create your own pattern, the contrasting colours will create a dramatic effect that resists outdoor elements.

So, whether you choose to paint your patio or use stamped concrete, tile, or stone, using contrasting colours is a great way to elevate the look of your concrete patio and make it stand out.

Use raised planter beds

Raised planter beds are a great option if you don't have space for ground-level flower beds around your patio. They can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, stone, brick, and board-formed concrete. Here are some tips for using raised planter beds to border your concrete patio:

Choose the Right Location

Select a spot for your raised planter bed that receives ample sunlight and is relatively level. This is important to ensure proper drainage and to meet the sunlight requirements of your plants. Avoid placing the bed too close to buildings or other structures that may cast shadows. It is also important to leave adequate space around the bed for proper air circulation and access for maintenance. As a general rule, leave at least 0.5 metres of space on all sides of the bed.

Prepare the Surface

Before positioning your raised planter bed, clear the area of any debris, such as rocks, weeds, or old plant material. Use a rake or shovel to ensure a clean and level surface. If your yard has a slope, consider the direction of water runoff and assess if excess moisture may accumulate on the concrete surface. You can test this by turning on a hose to a minimal trickle in your chosen location and observing the water's path.

Use a Liner or Membrane

To protect your concrete patio from stains and discolouration, it is recommended to use a liner or membrane at the bottom of your raised planter bed. Geo-textile membrane fabric is a synthetic layer that allows water filtration while preventing soil erosion and staining. Place the fabric at least halfway up the height of your planter bed to prevent soil seepage. If your bed is lower than 500mm, take the fabric to the full height.

Create Good Drainage

Adequate drainage is crucial to the success of your raised planter bed. Place a layer of aggregate, such as gravel, crushed brick, or broken concrete, at the base of the bed to create a reservoir for excess water. This will prevent waterlogging and root rot. Ensure your bed has sufficient drainage holes, especially if it is placed on a concrete surface that is less porous than soil. Test the drainage by pouring water where you plan to place the bed; if it puddles, you may need to level the ground or choose a different location.

Select the Right Soil and Potting Mix

Fill your raised planter bed with high-quality soil and potting mix to ensure the success of your plants. Avoid using garden soil, as it can lead to issues such as waterlogging and weed infestations. Opt for nutrient-rich, well-draining soil mixes designed for raised beds or vegetable/flower mixes enriched with compost and fertiliser. For taller beds, you can use regular soil for the lower half and reserve premium soil for the top half to save costs.

Planting and Maintenance

Once your raised planter bed is filled and prepared, it's time to start planting! Choose plants suitable for your region's climate and the amount of sunlight the bed receives. After planting, water the bed thoroughly to settle the soil and ensure proper hydration. Maintain your raised bed by regularly weeding, watering, and replenishing the soil with fresh compost or fertiliser as needed.

Add a brick border

Adding a brick border to your concrete patio is a great way to enhance its appearance and give it a classic and timeless look. You can use real bricks or brick-shaped concrete pavers, and the latter come in a variety of colours and sizes, allowing you to create a custom look for your patio. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this look:

Planning and Preparation:

First, you need to gather your materials. For this project, you will need bricks, compactable gravel for the base, washed sand, and plastic paver edging to hold the bricks in place. You can source these materials from a full-service landscape supplier or look for them at home centres, garden centres, or brickyards. Don't forget to inquire about delivery charges.

Calculating the Amount of Materials Needed:

Most pavers are 4 x 8 inches and about 2-1/4 inches thick, but other sizes are available. Measure the total linear feet of edging you plan to install and multiply by 3 to determine the number of 4-inch-wide paver bricks required. You will also need enough 10-inch-long spikes to install one every 12 inches.

Preparing the Trench:

To ensure the bricks remain stable, you need to dig a trench that is wider and deeper than the brick. A typical trench size for paver bricks is 14 inches wide by 8 inches deep. Calculate the amount of gravel needed by multiplying the linear feet of the trench by 0.02, which will give you the number of cubic yards of gravel required.

Compacting the Base:

Spread a 3-inch-deep layer of gravel in the trench and compact it using a hand tamper until it's tightly packed. Then, add another 3 inches of gravel and use a screed to level the surface, ensuring it's parallel to the top of the sidewalk.

Adding Sand:

Spread a layer of sand, slightly deeper than 1 inch, over the compacted base. Dampen the sand with a light mist from a garden hose to help hold it in place. Construct a screed and use it to level the sand, making sure the paver will protrude about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the surface of the sidewalk.

Installing the Bricks:

Set the bricks on the sandbed and use a rubber mallet to make them flush with the concrete patio. Check that each brick is slightly angled away from the patio to allow for water runoff. If you need to cut bricks to fit around curves, mark the cutting line with a permanent marker and use a brick saw to make the cuts.

Installing Plastic Edging:

Install plastic paver edging behind the bricks to hold them in place. Cut the outermost band of the edging with tin snips to allow it to bend around curves. Press the edging against the bricks and drive 10-inch spikes every 12 inches.

Finalising the Border:

Use a scrap of lumber and a hand maul to embed the bricks into the sand, making them flush with the surface. Spread sand over the bricks and work it into the cracks with a broom. Tamp the bricks again with a board and hand maul to cause vibration, which will help the dry sand fill the cracks and lock the bricks together.

Your brick-bordered concrete patio is now complete and ready to enjoy!

Surround with lighting

If you're looking to elevate the appearance of your concrete patio, surrounding it with lighting is a great option. This not only adds ambiance but also improves safety, especially if you have steps leading up to your patio.

There are a variety of lighting styles and types to choose from. Solar-powered or low-voltage landscape lights are a popular choice, as they are cost-effective, easy to install, and environmentally friendly. You can place these lights directly into the dirt or garden beds surrounding your patio, creating an ambient glow while adding a sculptural element during the day.

Spotlight fixtures are another option, allowing you to highlight specific features such as nearby trees, statues, or fountains. If you have concrete steps, consider installing solar-powered LED lights on the stair treads or faces to enhance visibility and safety.

When planning your lighting layout, consider the overall design and atmosphere you want to create. You can choose to space the lights evenly for a consistent glow or place them closer together in certain areas to create focal points. Additionally, incorporating different types of lighting at varying heights can add depth and visual interest to your patio.

Remember to choose lighting that is suitable for outdoor use and ensure that any electrical connections are properly installed and protected from the elements to avoid safety hazards.

Install a concrete retaining wall

A concrete retaining wall is a great way to create a border around your patio while also preventing soil erosion. It can also help create a tiered look, allowing for installed planting beds next to your patio.

Before starting, contact your local building code official as you may need a permit for your wall depending on its height and location. There may also be structural, drainage, and setback considerations.

For a DIY project, recruit at least one helper for the heavy lifting and digging. You will also need to purchase or rent certain tools and equipment.

Excavate and Level the Base:

• Mark off the area with garden stakes and a mason's line.
• Tie the line to the stakes slightly higher than the desired height of the wall.
• Excavate a trench deep enough to accommodate a compacted base, levelling sand, and half the height of the first course of blocks.
• The trench should be twice as wide as a single block and compacted with a hand tamper or vibrating plate compactor.

Add Sand and Screed it:

• Add a layer of levelling sand on top of the compacted base.
• Use a long, straight screed board to level the sand, creating a flat surface for the first course of blocks.

Lay the First Course of Blocks:

• Start at the lowest end of the trench.
• Centre the first course of blocks on the centreline of the trench, using a level to position them.
• Reposition blocks as needed using additional base material and a striking tool, such as a rubber mallet.
• Check that every block is level and fill the space between the wall and landscape with gravel.

Lay Additional Courses:

• Brush off the first course of blocks to remove any debris before starting the next course.
• Stagger the blocks by cutting the end blocks of each even-numbered course in half.
• Draw a guideline down the middle of the block and use a hammer and chisel to score and cut the blocks.
• Lay the second course of blocks, interlocking them if applicable, and finish with the other half of the cut block.
• Check for level as you go and adjust as needed.

Install Drain Pipe (Optional):

• If your area experiences heavy rainfall or irrigation, consider installing a drainage pipe behind the wall.
• Use a perforated corrugated pipe that extends the entire length of the wall and drains to an exit point.
• Cover the pipe with a drain sleeve and gravel.

Backfill the Wall:

• Backfill the wall with gravel or sand. If using sand, cover the backside of the wall with landscape fabric first.
• Shovel and tamp down the backfill material in small portions to ensure a complete and stable fill.
• Backfill up to slightly below the height of the wall and fill the remaining space with topsoil for planting.

Install Capstones:

• Put down a layer of capstone blocks to complete the retaining wall and enhance its appearance.
• Brush off the capstones to remove any dirt or debris.
• Use construction adhesive to secure the capstones, creating a slight overhang or setback from the wall face.

Now you have a functional and attractive concrete retaining wall to border your patio!

Frequently asked questions