Techniques to Line a Driveway

Brick

• A standard driveway lining technique is to dig a shallow trench alongside the driveway, fill it part-way with sand to establish a semi-firm foundation and then lay brick over that sand. If done correctly, the brick will stick out slightly above the trench and above the top of the driveway to make a simple and efficient liner. You can also vary the color and height of the brick to suit your taste and driveway style.

Railway Ties

• As mentioned before, railway ties are a cheap -- if somewhat aesthetically unpleasant -- method of bordering gravel driveways. The large wooden beams can be laid end-to-end alongside the gravel driveway to both keep the gravel from being pushed out of the driveway and to prevent any nearby grass from encroaching into the driveway itself.

Trees

• A lining of trees or spaced-out shrubberies can provide a more "green" border than could stone or brick. Make sure you do not plant trees too near the driveway, however, as the roots could ostensibly work their way under the pad and crack the concrete over time. Also, if using shrubberies, make sure you space them out enough so that you have enough room to exit your car.

Paving Stones

• Paving stones come in a variety of shapes and sizes and often make superb edging materials, especially if your driveway has more of a mosaic or artistic feel to it than a simple concrete slab. The technique for laying paving stones is not unlike the technique used for brick in most cases, although there are several types of "interlocking" paving stone, which require neither trench nor sand bed to stay in place.