Concrete kerbs or edges, are raised lines of concrete that separates areas, be it a garden or a pavement.  When designing landscapes, kerbs might often be overlooked. However, don't underestimate the value of adding concrete edges; it can add great aesthetic value to the landscape, it helps to designate certain areas such as flowerbeds, and it acts as a deterrent for plants to grow outside of the designated area.  Concrete kerbs can be a great addition to any property, but the following considerations should be taken.

Advantages

Concrete edging comes in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. There are a host of different options for buyers to choose. Kerbs can be painted in many different colours, and can be done so before or after installation. Buyers can opt for pre-set kerbs that are meant to resemble other things such as bricks. The mixture can also be added with rocks and stones, providing a unique aesthetic.  Kerbs will most likely be visible, so choose an aesthetic that compliments its surrounding environment.

When looking at other alternatives such as wood or stone based kerbs, concrete kerbs will provide the most accurate and precise measurements of the three. The initial process of measuring the diameters of kerbs is a lot faster than the other two, as the versatility of concrete mixture means it can be set.

Concrete provides further advantages over the two by being much more durable. Consider that a material like wood will eventually rot and have to be replaced, while concrete will last almost indefinitely. Concrete kerbs provide little to no maintenance, if erosion and wear does happen, concrete needs only to be patched up.

Disadvantages

For small residential properties, concrete kerbs can prove to be frightfully expensive. That's because poured concrete needs a mold for it to be set in, which will have to be individually designed for each project, which can prove to be a heavy work-load. Concrete bricks provide a more affordable price point, but timber and other materials will be considerably cheaper. However, kerbs can prove to be much more cost-effective when applied to larger residential or commercial properties, as the cost of the materials becomes substantially cheaper than the equipment needed.

For poured concrete, buyers should also consider whether they plan to make any changes to the layout of properties, as concrete kerbs will be unable to be modified in shape and structure, the only option being complete removal.  For segmented concrete such as bricks, this task will be easier to achieve.

Verdict

Concrete is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing edging available, and is the most durable and long lasting. However, concrete kerbs are hard to modify, and come at a steep price-point. Buyers should make sure that their layouts will not change, and be willing to invest significantly more, as opposed to other options.