How Concrete Curbing Differs from Travertine or Paver Border
Are you brainstorming landscaping ideas for your home or business in Phoenix, AZ? Let’s
examine the difference between concrete curb and travertine or paver border.
What is Concrete Curb?
Concrete curb comes out of an extruded curb machine. The formula of the curb is made up of Portland cement along with mortar sand and water. The benefit to concrete curbing designs is the various styles, shapes and designs. Concrete color can be added as well.
The process of concrete curbing landscaping can be done very quickly. But it’s important to note that it does need a cure time before it is worked around or touched. Landscape curbing is a good look for a lot of designs and creates a stunning border around artificial turf.
The top can get a stamp texture like shown in the pictures below. Ground Zero Landscape & Construction uses a lot of concrete curbing in our more modern Scottsdale landscape designs.
We also use it in Mesa bocce ball courts and throughout Phoenix landscape designs.
The downside to concrete curb is that if it cracks or breaks you may have to cut out a 2 foot section and patch in a new piece. Most concrete curbs are going to have a minimum on linear footage, usually about 80 linear feet minimum, so that 2 foot piece that cracks could get costly to fix.
Travertine Vs Pavers | What is Travertine and Paver Border?
Let's look at travertine borders and concrete paver borders in the Phoenix landscape design markets. Paver border is put in as individual pieces depending on the material. It usually has a concrete mortar base.
Depending on if it's a concrete paver or a travertine paver, it may require a thin set to stick to the
mortar base. Size can vary from pavers in a 6" x 9" side-by-side pattern or in 6" x 9" end to end pattern.
Travertine paver border can be done in 6" x 6" or 6" x 12" end to end or 8" x 8" if using a four piece Versailles pattern. The benefit to the travertine or concrete paver border in your landscape design is it matches the rest of the material you have used. Such as a travertine pool deck or a concrete paver patio. There are a variety of paver/travertine colors to choose from that will match your design.
If a piece breaks, cracks, or is uplifted from a tree root you can simply buy another piece and glue it back in, making it much more forgiving. However travertine tile and brick paver border is required on any area that has pavers installed as an edge. This is true in the back and front yard, but it will inevitably provide curb appeal for any home or business.
The concrete mortar and edge locks in the rest of the travertine so it doesn’t slowly creep up over time. You can also use paver borders around artificial grass and to make barriers, planter boxes, water features, outdoor kitchens & fire pits in your yard. This addition can transform your outdoor space into a beautiful oasis.
The downside is that it costs more in the upfront installation. With material shortages, sometimes orders come right down to the square footage you need for patios and seating areas in the Phoenix area. So if you're running tight on material you can always revert back to a concrete curb border. I usually leave it up to the Scottsdale landscape design I'm working in.
How Ground Zero Can Help You
At Ground Zero Landscape & Construction we like to present the different options to homeowners that are passionate about outdoor living. We want to give them the positives and negatives of every installation.
Chad Bennett at Ground Zero Landscape & Construction is a nationally accredited certified paver installer and Ground Zero is a member of the International Concrete Paving Institute. Ground Zero Landscape & Construction adheres to a different set of installation messages than most contractors even licensed! Let us help you choose your next border for your landscape design and installation!
