Laying pavers next to a fence could be very beneficial. It covers up spaces, avoids pets, and saves energy, put in use to prune flowers, including its cost of maintenance.
With the correct type of pavers, you could create a border that integrates well with the fence. The landscaping will look quite good, especially if you have a lawn or grow trees in your partition. Laying pavers close to a fence wall may not be as tedious as you think.
To lay pavers next to a fence, first, take some measurements to determine the number of pavers that will fit within the bounds of your fence. After that, lay your foundation of gravel and sand, and level it. Then you’ll set down the pavers as desired.
Continue reading to have a clearer understanding. I’ll share my experience. Trust me. There’s more to learn.
Do You Really Need Paver Edging?
During a paver installation, technicians have to ensure that they properly execute each step in the process. In addition to installing the pavers and laying the foundation, they have to create an edge to prevent the pavers from shifting.
Edging is a crucial part of any paver Installation. It’s vital because your pavers are likely to spread due to force traffic, cars, and ground traffic or sink over time without it. Furthermore, even a damaged edging can cause issues like wed outbreak in-between the cracks.
Usually, you can repair damage when it starts in a small section. But if you don’t address the problem, the damage will spread to a larger area, increasing your cost of repairs. With paver edging, I believe your pavers will be in good condition for a long time without cracking or shifting.
You can edge a paver using the following procedures;
- Determining the paver height. You may choose whether you want the pavers to be above the ground or the same level as the surrounded pavers. Preferably, I believe ½ Inch above the ground will be okay though you could increase it if you wish.
- You’ll then measure the height of the pavers you’re going to use for the edging. This measurement will determine the depth of the trench, usually five inches that will receive the pavers. After that, you’ll dig the pit around the pavers you want to pave-edge using a mattock.
- After digging, you’ll add the sand layer and set the pavers edging against the sides of the pavers.
The edging should never be exposed. Be sure to keep the outside edge backfilled. Also, note that problems can arise in places with harsh winters, where the freeze-thaw cycle will tend to lift the edging.
Edging plays a critical role in the paver system. If not maintained, it will ruin a beautiful walkway, driveway, patio, or pool deck. I highly recommend PACIFIC DREAMSCAPES for your paver edges.
How Do You Lay Pavers Next To A Fence?
Whenever laying pavers to a fence, you must ensure that there’s a stable non-moving border around the entire perimeter. Without this, your paving will move and have more problems. Placing pavers next to your fence is no big deal. Here is what you’ll need to do.
- Earlier stated, you’ll need to do some measurements to determine the number of pavers that would fit within the boundaries of your fence. Then dig down at least five inches and lay two inches of stone(nickel dime and quarter-sized) and concrete dust.
- After laying, flatten the surface. You’ll then tamp it down and lay the pavers. You’ll now cover the pavers in concrete dust and use a broom to brush the dust into the spaces between each paver.
- Undoubtedly, you’ll also have to use some straight edging pieces to avoid any spaces and gaps between the fence and the pavers. In certain situations, you may have to mix Portland cement which I recommend from Amazon, and sand as the filling materials. Alternatively, you can use it in filling spaces between pavers to hold them.
Some situations may come in where the fence is next to a grassy area. I merely hope you would be dreaming of laying the pavers on the grass, don’t try when you’re awake. In this case, here’s what you’ll have to do
Remove the grasses and dig the area for placing the pavers. After that, lay the gravel and sand foundation. Be sure to pack and compress the ground foundation, after which you’ll lay down the pavers.
After laying the pavers, put sand in-between the pavers. You can also use the already stated alternatives.
Additionally, if desired, concrete can be poured as a flat foundation. You can cement the pavers to this. You can carry out this process after you’ve dug out the area for laying the pavers. It’s optional.
Quite interesting. You don’t even need any professionals. Lay your pavers next to your fence like a pro now!
What Can I Use To Block The Bottom Of My Fence?
A dog again could be responsible for your decision to block the bottom of your fence. Cats are no exception to this too.
Animal pests like rabbits can find their way to your garden through small bottom spaces and holes. Blocking them will rather be preventive.
Well, you can use any material of your choice available in your area. I’ve used materials like stones, bricks, pavers, woods, wires, and boards suited for external application. There are even many others I can’t think of now.
The most important part of the whole thing is digging to create a shallow trench right below or underneath the existing fence. This shallow trench below an existing fence wall will enable proper placement of the materials used for blocking the spaces. You’ll also bury the materials in the ground and prevent critters from coming across and invading.
You could decide to use poultry netting, also known as chicken wire. Poultry nets are relatively inexpensive solutions to block the bottom of your fence. You can use poultry nets by removing a trench 6 inches deep and 24-36 inches wide. After that, you’ll cut some chicken wire to fit the pit and overlap the fence by at least a couple of inches.
- Be sure to cut it so that you’ll have a loose end to use when securing it to an existing fence. You’ll then lay the chicken wire in the trench and twist the loose ends of the cut around the existing fencing.
- Refill the trench with seed and water. I’ll assure you that any digging on that side of the fence covered will hit the wire and stop.
Another option you may consider is running an electric hot wire along the bottom of the fence. The wires are usually hooked up to a charger that drops the current to a safe and unpleasant level. This method will stop trench diggers.
It’s safe though, I’ve even tried having contact with it before, and it doesn’t hurt. It was just as unpleasant as anything you could think.
Using an aluminum coil is also an option. You could buy aluminum which comes in a 50ft length and is up to 26 inches wide.
You’ll dig deep as you need and install it on the fence with anything, from screws to up ties or wire.
Another tricky alternative to blocking the bottom of your fence is a board, a horizontal one to more be precise. Here, you’ll need to
- Paint the board the same color as your fence. After that, you’ll dig a trench under the fence wall. Then, you’ll also position the board in a way that it’s partially under the surface of the soil in the pit.
- When you’re done with positioning, you’ll fill the drench with dirt which will partially bury the board, leaving no gap.
Even though this method is not so effective, it’s tricky. Try it out!
Rocks are also quite good when it comes to blocking areas of a fence with slight gaps or wide spaces along the fence wall(in this scenario, the bottom). Use the rock to build a retaining wall along the bottom of your fence.
For a slight gap, place a group of rocks and fill around the rock with specks of dirt or anything preferable. The bottom of your fence is now closed!
Using wood to complement the space at the bottom won’t also be a bad idea. It’s even readily available and inexpensive. Here’s what to do;
- Measure the gap to know how much material you’ll have to purchase to fix it. If the space has irregular and uneven edges instead of a regular one, you’ll need a saw such as a coping saw to even out the edges.
- After doing that, You’ll cut the wood of the same material as your fence to fill in the gap or space. Be sure to cut something a few inches larger than the hole. If the gap is large, you may want to lay multiple pieces of wood down where the gap is. You can use screws or nails to attach the new panels to the existing fence.
- Be sure to fill the area around the fence with dirt as well. You may need to stain the fence wall at this time, so everything is still the same color.
You now have a range of choices for yourself. Pick one and solve your problem!
Sources
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/can-put-bottom-fence-keep-animals-out-96590.html
