Concrete Curbing FAQ's
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Are you limited to a design layout, such as with timbers or other types of edging? A: No, concrete curbing is ideal for most any terrain. A small concrete extruding machine is very easily maneuvered, thereby providing the design flexibility needed for your specific lawn type. It curves, circles, or extrudes straight lines to allow you any design your heart desires. We encourage the homeowner to see the awe of the process. It is definitely a site to see, from before to after transformation within a few hours is amazing!
Is the color painted or stained on the curb and will it fade? A: All of the colors are iron oxide pigments that are mixed into the concrete during the mixing process. The color will not flake off or disappear over time. You may experience a little fading, but this is normal in any outdoor color application. A sealer can aid in the lifetime of the color. We recommend sealing every year.
How long will the installation take? A: Depending on how much curbing is to be installed and the style chosen, most jobs can be completed in one day.
Will the curbing crack? A: We experience very little cracking however concrete will crack. We take every precaution to limit the cracking and try to control it with expansion joints.
Is this landscaping curbing a new product and does it last? A: Curbing has been around for 25 years. As far as it lasting over a long time frame, it mainly depends on the installer and how well the customer takes care of it. We use top of the line products to insure long lasting curb and even go that extra mile and use a special additive and sealants to insure the clearest & most consistent color.
What about frost and ground movement? A: The benefit of our concrete curbing is that is a continuous piece of concrete. Individual blocks or bricks will shift over time and in the winter. We place control/expansion joints every 3 feet and are cut about 40% into the curb. This designed to control the cracking of the curb during shifting periods and colder months.
How deep do you dig and how deep is the footing? A: We dig about 2 ½ inches deep by 10 inches wide. This can be done without disturbing your existing landscape beds. There is no footer as the curb is concrete and is its own footing.
How long are those pieces and where do I buy them? A: "They" are not pieces or sections. The breaks you see approximately every 3' are expansion / control joints. The curbing is installed on each job site. A special machine extrudes the beautiful concrete border right on the spot.
Does this process damage my lawn or flower beds, and what can I do to prepare? A: There will not be any damage to your landscape! In fact, we recommend your sod, flower beds, and sprinkler systems be installed prior to our arrival. Once you approve the design of your flower bed, we sod cut the design with a 10 sod cutter so you will have that beautiful smooth flowing curb. Not only does that remove the sod for placement of the curb, but also gives you the opportunity to see the flow of the bed area prior to the installation of the curb. In other words, it still isnt too late to change your mind on the glow.
How effective is this Concrete Curb in keeping out grass? A: Extruded concrete curbing has a proven track record at preventing sod from entering your landscape beds. Your constant (losing) fight to keep sod out of your flower beds ended with this invention. You also do not have weeds growing in between this edging since it is all one continuous piece, nor can the sod grow under it if it is prepared correctly. There are a few different molds (shapes) to choose from. The most common is slant & mower style. With our machine, both molds have a minimum 4 heights in back and 2 on front. The curb is actually 6 wide. Our molds are designed high enough to keep sod from growing through it, and also high enough on the back to retain your bed covering, such as mulch. As long as your area is prepared properly and your grass clippings do not go into your flower bed, you will not have creeping sod in your flower bed area any longer!
Can anyone install this curbing? A: Unlike other landscape installations, your curbing is extruded and formed on site; Therefore, you are not buying a product, but rather a service, as the curbing does not come in blocks. We also like to think of it as a work of art. We take into consideration the shapes and contours of the design. As the old saying goes, "You Get What You Pay For!" It definitely applies to this trade. Not all curbing companies are equal. We recommend that you do your homework and see visual examples of the work performed by landscape curbing companies.
Can children or pets damage the curb? A: The concrete curb is very vulnerable during the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours of iinstallation. It is imperative to keep guests, children, and pets away from the curb for the first few days. In addition, many homeowners have irrigation systems which need to be turned off the day before our arrival and not turned back on until two days after installation. If the curb is damaged from any type of force we can fix the curb, however there will be an additional fee for this service. After the first few days, the curb is strong enough that animals and children cannot hurt the curb if they step on it. It is OK to rake your bed covering back into place a few days after installation, just make sure the curb does not take a direct hit from any tools. It is best to wait a few weeks before you begin any major replanting or changes to your bed area. Keep in mind, do not allow anyone to dig underneath the curb, or run over the curb with a vehicle. Your curb is only as good as it foundation, and it is not designed to be run over by a vehicle. |