Why Cutting Corners On A Paver Border Will Cost You In The Long Run

Even though you might be tempted to find time- and cost-saving solutions for your paver project, taking shortcuts is a decision you can quickly regret. With the average paver patio running a few thousand dollars, it's crucial to get the details right to enjoy the value of a long-lasting construction. No amount of maintenance can correct a shoddy initial installation. Cut corners now, and you'll have significant shifting and repairs to manage down the line. Putting in the effort to make a solid paver border is arguably the most impactful element, as it supports the entire interior structure.

A quality paver border is both a practical and an aesthetic consideration. Cut pavers running to the edge of a paver setup can make it look awkward and unfinished. Paver borders create sharp definition and a visual guide throughout the space. With well-designed borders, your paver areas are easier and safer to navigate. Meanwhile, colors, textures, and layouts can contrast the interior pavers, adding visual interest to elevate the design. Uniquely shaped layouts benefit from the consistent edge and added stability for end paver pieces. 

After the paver border layout, a sound foundation completes an installation that is built to last. As with the rest of the installation, paver borders need an appropriate gravel base fill or paver base tiles for support and drainage. But beyond that, edging will be the crucial factor in whether your paver project lasts.

Skipping the paver edging is an obvious way to speed the process along but also a major mistake to avoid when installing pavers. Although the transition to the lawn may be clean and seemingly stable at first, it won't take long for the pavers to settle, loosen, and shift out of place. Over time, they'll make those behind them also weaken. Pavers can crack or lift to create patio trip hazards. Without any base layer support, shifting will only be easier, and weeds and moss growth may eventually appear in damaged patches. Unless your pavers run up to another solid structure, edging is a must.

Given the ease and low cost of installing edging, there's little excuse to avoid it. Choose from several options to secure the paver border and interior fill. You can use concrete or Perma paver edging, which is a flexible and well-draining concrete alternative. For ease of use, you can also stake down plastic edging. Plastic strips can follow any straight or curved shape. And with options like WOCHOLL garden edging costing under $30 for 40 feet, they're cheap to install. The choice is yours: Do you spend a little extra time and money up front to form your paver border correctly? Or do you cough up roughly $7 to $30 per square foot every time you need patio repairs because you decided to cut corners?