How to Add Brick Borders to a Driveway

A simple, inexpensive way to embellish a driveway and reduce maintenance is to add brick borders. Borders frame the pavement, defining the edges to accentuate curves or straight lines. They also stop encroaching grass from growing over the sides. Bricks also bring warm, earthy color to a front yard. Installing them is a straightforward process you can do yourself in a day or two, depending on the size of the driveway.

Garden stakes
String
Shovel
Hand tamper
Gravel
Fine sand
Bricks
Level
Mallet
Polymeric sand

Instructions

- 1
  Insert garden stakes about 10 inches from both sides of the driveway so there's enough space for bricks to sit side-to-side or end-to-end, plus 2 inches. Wrap a long string around the top of the stakes to outline the space for the borders with clean, straight lines.
- 2
  Remove the grass and topsoil between the string and edge of the driveway using a shovel. Dig a small trench about 6 inches deep and keep the bottom of the trench level. Press a hand tamper over the dirt to make it firm and work out air pockets.
- 3
  Dump 3 inches of gravel into the trench and spread it evenly with the back of a shovel. Tamp them down so the rocks wedge firmly into each other.
- 4
  Sprinkle an inch of fine sand over the gravel to create traction against the bottom of the bricks.
- 5
  Start at the bottom end of the trenches and set the bricks against the edge of the driveway on top of the sand. Butt the sides so they’re flush against each other. Set a level over adjacent bricks and tap them with a mallet to make them even.
- 6
  Fill the space between the bricks and lawn with gravel and tamp it down.
- 7
  Fill the joints between bricks with polymeric sand and lightly spray the bricks with a hose. The sand will harden as it dries to block debris and hold the brisk in place.

Drainage for a Driveway

Driveway & Sidewalk Designs

Paving