Brick Edging for a Mortar Bed

Function

• These preformed, angular shapes allow you to create a multitude of designs, giving your projects a finished appearance, as well as adding an element of strength and durability. The main use of brick edging around a mortar bed is for aesthetic purposes, rather than the integrity of the construction.

Design

• Bricks come in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to tie in mortared structures with the surrounding decor. For instance, a red brick edging around your front porch helps to hide the blunt, gray concrete surface while adding rich tones and colors to the entryway of your home. Placing the same color brick edging around mortar beds that line planters and sidewalks helps to tie your landscape design together.

Preparation

• Properly preparing the mortar bed for the brick edging ensures the most attractive, long-lasting results. Any bumps or ridges along the mortar bed can cause irregularities in the brick edging, resulting in an uneven finish. Fill in indentations and file off obvious concrete bulges you find along the edges of the mortar bed. Tamp the soil around the perimeter of the mortar bed to ensure an even layer for the brick edging.

Installation

• Practice placing the bricks along the edge of the mortar bed to determine your desired pattern. Remove the bricks and mix your mortar. Spread a layer of mortar along the side of your mortar bed, making it one brick high and about 1-inch wide, running it the length of the mortar bed. Press the bricks into the damp mortar, leaving a gap about 1/2-inch wide between each brick. Spread another layer of mortar above the installed bricks and apply another row of bricks in the damp mortar, staggering the joints from the joints in the row below. After placing all the bricks in this fashion, fill the gaps between the bricks with the trowel and the damp mortar. Wipe away excess mortar.