If you’re thinking about installing an asphalt driveway, you may want to consider adding driveway edging. Driveway edging secures the sides of your asphalt driveway to prevent cracks and damage. Adding a pop of color or texture with edging can also enhance your driveway’s appearance. Let’s explore some of the most popular asphalt driveway edging ideas to help you choose the best option for your home.
Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway Edges
Your asphalt driveway is a considerable investment, and it’s essential to protect it by edging the sides and keeping up with seal coating maintenance. This process will help keep cracks from forming and give your driveway a neater appearance.
You may have chosen asphalt because it is quickly ready for you to drive on, it is less expensive than concrete, and it doesn’t show stains. It’s also easier and cheaper to repair cracks or other problems. And each time you get a maintenance seal coat, your driveway looks brand new again!
However, asphalt has a graded edge that slopes down to lay even with the rest of your yard. The slope exists so that the weight of a vehicle won’t cause the asphalt material to crack on the edges. The pitch of the slope protects your asphalt.
Concrete driveways, on the other hand, have 90 degrees edges. The straight edge comes from the mold the contractor pours the cement into. So the concrete driveway edges stand straight up.
Asphalt has a different texture. Your contractor lays asphalt and quickly spreads it out to an even consistency. Then the roller puts pressure to give it an even and smooth appearance.
On the edges of your new asphalt driveway, your contractor lets the asphalt slope down to the ground level. Without the graded slope, your asphalt border would eventually suffer from broken edges caused by the weight of vehicles driving over them. The graded slope prevents your asphalt from cracking or breaking away at the asphalt edges.
Why Install Edging Around My Asphalt Driveway?
Installed edging can help remove pressure from the sloped sides of your new asphalt driveway. The vulnerable edges of asphalt are not thick like the middle of your new driveway. So adding a border makes sense to give it extra durability.
However, another reason to add a driveway border is for curb appeal. Adding some installed edging materials for a driveway border creates a nice aesthetic and gives your new driveway the straight edge look you want. Creating a border gives your driveway the look of uniform thickness on all sides.
Asphalt Driveway Edging Ideas
Asphalt driveway edging can significantly improve your driveway’s look while protecting it from damage. Various edging options are available, so deciding which is best for your home can be challenging, but check out these popular ideas!
Concrete Curbing Driveway Edging Ideas
One of the most popular asphalt driveway edging ideas is concrete curbing. Concrete curbing is a pre-made concrete border you can use to edge your driveway. It comes in various colors and styles, so you can find the perfect option to match your home’s aesthetics.
Concrete curb blocks are durable and can withstand weathering and wear and tear. Its durability makes it a good choice for driveway edges.
Driveway Edging Ideas: Brick, Stone, and Concrete Pavers
Driveway edging ideas also include brick or stone pavers. These square or rectangular forms are a great way to add texture and style to your driveway. Paver blocks also come in various colors and styles so that you can find the perfect option for your home.
A paver edge boosts curb appeal and is also durable, withstanding weathering and wear and tear. And pavers boost curb appeal while allowing you to easily replace broken pavers.
Driveway Edging Ideas: Topsoil with Wood Chips
One way to handle the edging is by filling in around the driveway with soil and wood chips. Driveway edging with soil is an excellent idea if your asphalt driveway is next to a lawn. The soil and wood chips will help prevent weeds from growing under your asphalt driveway.
Belgian Block Driveway Edging Ideas
Belgian Blocks are solid granite, cubical-shaped cobblestones used in a variety of applications including paving and edging. (1)
These stones are very durable and will last for many years. Belgian block stones come in various colors, so you can find the perfect match for your home. And because they are stones, you’ll unlikely see any issues with them over the years.
Gravel Driveway Edging Ideas
While a gravel driveway does not last long, using pea gravel around the edges of an asphalt driveway can look nice, especially with the color contrast. A white gravel can look striking next to the blacktop of the asphalt surface!
Landscaping Materials Driveway Edging Ideas
You can also use almost any type of fill, from rubber materials to crushed concrete around your driveway. Buying a large amount of fill materials for a long driveway can cost less for the same amount if you’re buying something on sale.
Landscaping Plants and Greenery Driveway Edging Ideas
If you want to plant trees or shrubs along the edge of your asphalt, you may want to think twice. You can create a bigger problem by planting some plants around your asphalt.
Even though landscaping shrubs that bloom year round can look beautiful edging a driveway, a blacktop driveway can crack from tree and shrub roots that grow up underneath.
You’ll want to research carefully any plants you add near your driveway to ensure they will not damage your new blacktop.
While asphalt lasts a long time when you keep it maintained, it also depends on you taking care of your asphalt by preventing roots from digging it up!
Your Style and Budget Matters
Ultimately, the best asphalt driveway edging option depends on your personal preferences and needs. Consider the options available for a driveway border and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Whether stone, gravel, wood, pavers, soil, or other filler, you can’t go wrong with choosing edging (unless you plant trees, of course!)
We Can Help
At AMP Paving, if you’re in the market for a new asphalt driveway, we can help. We offer a variety of services to choose from to get your asphalt driveway installed quickly and efficiently. Also, talk with us about what to incorporate around vulnerable edges to keep your asphalt driveway looking beautiful and retaining its functionality for years to come.
We offer everything you need for asphalt driveway installation and maintenance. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about asphalt driveways and edging.