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Lawn curb tape is a necessary element of a well-groomed summer cottage. The main thing is to choose the right material from which it is made and decide on the style.
general information
A curb tape is a tape that encloses an area of a certain size in a garden area. It can be made with your own hands from scrap materials or purchased at a specialized store for summer residents.
This tape is a strip of metal or plastic designed to enclose an enclosed space. The strip can be of different lengths and widths, and the material can be of different thicknesses. The main requirements are strength and resistance to external influences, since the tape is operated in the open air.
Mode of application
The tape is used so that concrete paths or paths made of stone do not creep, but retain their shape. It is also used for other purposes:
- limiting the territory of the lawn;
- combating the spread of weeds;
- giving the lawn a certain geometric shape with clear contours;
- simplification of the process of watering the grass on the lawn.
Lawn curb tape
Also, this ribbon can serve as an original decor.
Use in design
Lawn fencing is an important component of landscaping.
In this case, it performs the following functions:
- promotes competent zoning of space;
- helps to highlight individual groups of plants;
- protects the lawn from the penetration of children and animals;
- gives the site a neat and well-groomed look.
The color and style of the curb should correspond to the overall concept of the exterior.
Plastic lawn curb
Possible styles and colors
Plastic lawn curb comes in a variety of styles and colors.
Most popular options:
- a border with a smooth surface in brown or olive;
- embossed dark blue or dark green fence;
- high-tech silver or metallic curbs;
- white ribbon without decor in the style of "minimalism".
Other color options are also possible.
Reliability and durability
The plastic lawn divider is lightweight and therefore not particularly reliable compared to its metal counterpart.
It can fall from strong winds, and plastic is often deformed under the influence of mechanical stress. Plastic, unlike metal, does not rust, but it can easily ignite (for example, when burning garbage at the site).
Advantages and disadvantages
Flexible fencing has many advantages.
It is lightweight, comes in a variety of colors and can be carried from place to place.
Also, plastic tapes are inexpensive and readily available.
Plastic lawn curb
However, low-quality plastic is often short-lived and unstable.
Metal lawn curb
Style variety
Unlike plastic, metal strips can be decorated with embossing or artistic forging.
In this case, the surface of the tape is decorated with decorative elements and then painted. Most often, however, manufacturers keep the natural color of the curb tape to enhance the texture of the metal.
The following decor options are possible:
- smooth surface without decoration;
- ribbed surface;
- relief surface;
- a ribbon decorated with elements made using the art forging technique.
The latter option is the most expensive, but is often used when decorating large, beautiful lawns in parks and squares.
Coating options
The metal curb is usually primed and then covered with paint and, if desired, patina. Sometimes the surface of the metal is zinc-plated, especially if the climate is rainy and the curb tape is at risk of corrosion.
Duration of operation
A lawn guard made of metal is often short-lived, as poorly painted metal can quickly corrode. To increase the service life, you should purchase curbs coated with special paints with the addition of zinc.
Metal lawn curb
Advantages and disadvantages
There are many advantages to a rigid metal curb. It is durable, reliable, allows you to clearly shape the contours of the lawn, and can be made in different styles.
But metal curb tapes are expensive and weigh a lot.
Installation of borders and tapes
Installation methods
Metal and plastic fences are installed as follows:
- Visually mark the contours of the lawn with pegs and a rope.
- Carefully dig the curb into the ground so that it becomes stable.
- If the material is flexible, give it the desired outline.
- Try to see if the fence is securely fixed. To do this, you need to try to shake it. If the curb is firmly in place and does not budge, it is securely fastened.
If the flower bed or bed is very tall, a frame is required to install the curb. It can be made from pegs or old plastic pipes from plumbing services.
Can I do it myself
You can install the simplest lawn curb yourself. Do-it-yourself installation is easiest if the site has a clear square or rectangular shape.
Installation of borders and tapes
When the site has a complex shape, it is better to order the installation together with delivery, so that it is carried out by a specialist, since preliminary measurements are required with an accuracy of a millimeter.
Required tools
Before you dig in the lawn curb tape, you need to prepare the necessary tools for work. To install the fence you will need:
- ready-made or do-it-yourself tape for the border;
- roulette;
- rope;
- pegs.
You will also need a simple garden shovel.
Before choosing a lawn curb or tape, it is necessary to take into account all the features of the site and then the choice will be successful. A wide variety of garden fences are currently on sale: curbs and curb tapes, which can be purchased at many stores. Their cost is small, but the gardener should not forget that fences are sold at a price not per meter or packaging, but for one element.
