Gravel will travel, as they say, in landscaping circles. And don’t you know it? Yourgravel drivewaycan get messy and demand too much upkeep! But don’t stress. You can easily manage those rolling stones with theseinexpensivegravel drivewayedging ideas.
The following thrifty gravel driveway edging ideassaveondriveway maintenanceandgravel replenishment costs.
The following budget-savvy gravel driveway edging ideas have other benefits. They canboostyour property’saesthetic appealandmake your home more attractive.
Sound good?
Then, let’s explore these fresh gravel driveway edging plans in more detail.
Table Of Contents
- Inexpensive Gravel Driveway Edging Materials + Planning Guide
- Best Gravel Driveway Edging Materials
- Why Edge a Gravel Driveway?
- What Edging Design is Best for a Gravel Driveway?
- What is the Best Height for Inexpensive Gravel Drivel Edging?
- What Material is Best for Cheap DIY Gravel Driveway Edging?
- Do I Need to Dig Holes to Make Gravel Driveway Edging?
- Is Steel a Viable Gravel Driveway Edging Material?
- Can Plastic Landscaping Edging be Used to Edge a Gravel Driveway?
- 16+ Inexpensive Gravel Driveway Edging Ideas – Our Official List
- 1. Landscape Timbers for Gravel Driveway Edging
- 2. Structural Timber Beams to Edge a Gravel Driveway
- 3. Long Logs to Edge a Gravel Driveway (Or Driveway Timbers)
- 4. Chainsaw Mill Big Logs for Gravel Driveway Edging
- 5. Gravel Driveway Edging Using Pallet Wood
- 6. Anchor Gravel Driveway Edging Boards with Steel Landscape Staples
- 7. Railroad Ties for Gravel Driveway Edging
- 8. Gravel Driveway Edging Using Cobblestone
- 9. Brick Edge Restraints for a Gravel Driveway
- 10. Low Stone Wall for a Gravel Driveway Edge
- 11. DIY Curved Gravel Driveway Edging with a Concrete Form
- 12. Use Rocks to Edge a Gravel Driveway
- 13. Use Cinder Blocks to Edge a Gravel Driveway
- 14. Repurposed Car Tires for Gravel Driveway Edging
- 15. Canvas Sand Bags for Temporary Gravel Driveway Edging
- 16. Add Solar Lights to Your Gravel Driveway Edging
- Conclusion
Inexpensive Gravel Driveway Edging Materials + Planning Guide
You can make low-cost gravel driveway edging using basic building materials, including dimensional lumber, concrete, bricks and pavers, natural stone, cinder blocks, and concrete lintels. Old railroad ties, scrap car tires, salvaged timber, and pallet wood can also work to edge a gravel driveway.
Best Gravel Driveway Edging Materials
| Edging Materials | Description |
|---|---|
| Landscape Timbers | Landscape timbers are our favorite gravel driveway edging idea if you want a rural, rustic look. It’s also one of the cheapest edging materials. Use what your homestead provides. |
| Structural Timber Beams | Structural timber beams are excellent for an easy and cultivated landscaping experience. They also look chic as a gravel driveway edge. |
| Long Logs or Driveway Timbers | Long logs are one of the easiest and lowest-fuss gravel edging ideas. They look great with pea gravel, river rocks, decorative gravel, or plain rocks. They work best with long, relatively straight driveways. |
| Chainsaw Mill Big Logs | These massive logs look beautiful for a back-country theme with a modern twist. They can manage loose gravel and nearly any gravel layer elegantly. |
| Pallet Wood | Pallets are our favorite gravel driveway edging if you don’t have a big budget for lavish driveway materials. Ask your local lumberyard if they have any extras. Or offer to throw them a few bucks. |
| Anchor Gravel Driveway Edging Boards with Steel Landscape Staples | We only use steel landscape staples in the ground if nothing else can penetrate the hard surface. Use them to mount driveway edging boards elegantly and semi-permanently. |
| Railroad Ties | Railroad ties are hard to come by. But they’ll add a distinctive look to your driveway. And they help contain gravel like a charm. |
| Cobblestone | Cobblestone is one of our favorite gravel driveway edging materials if you want a classic-looking driveway. They look beautiful, are easy to install, and help tidy your gravel. |
| Brick Edge Restraints | Brick edging is arguably the most straightforward driveway edging to help preserve gravel. Brick is also super inexpensive. And – it can also help manage erosion. |
| Low Stone Wall | Many homesteaders don’t have the budget to launch a full-sized stone wall. So – build a short miniature version! It will look beautiful around your driveway. And the gravel will have nowhere to escape. |
| Concrete Form | Concrete is perfect for setting your driveway’s boundaries permanently. And without breaking the bank. On the downside, a concrete form likely requires a stable surface to set uniformly. |
| Rocks or Boulders | Rocks and boulders are another low-fuss but highly effective gravel driveway edging material. They can work on nearly any surface – including asphalt driveways. |
| Cinder Blocks | Cinder blocks are underrated gravel driveway edging materials. They’re heavy but still easy to install. And – you can form them around nearly any driveway, regardless of shape. They also make excellent weed barriers around your driveway perimeter. |
| Repurposed Car Tires | Don’t throw your old wheelbarrow and motorbike tires in the dump. Put them to good use around your driveway’s boundary. They can help contain roaming gravel. They’re also rustic and charming. |
| Canvas Sand Bags | Canvas sandbags are the best driveway edge if you have too many cubic yards for other methods. They’re big, heavy-duty, and will prevent your gravel from traveling. |
| Solar Lights | Solar lights aren’t the best driveway edge if you’re worried about your gravel wandering off. But they’re arguably one of the best-looking options. And they team up beautifully with other materials. |
The table above is a short preview of our favorite gravel edging ideas. We will also examine these gravel driveway edging ideas in further detail later in this article.
But first – to DIY the most cost-effective and efficient gravel driveway edging, it’s vital to define what the finished edging is supposed to do.
Here are someimportant considerationsto help brainstorm yourlow-cost DIY edging solutionfor your gravel driveway.
Related –17+ Circular Driveway Ideas That Look Beautiful + Make Parking Easy!
Why Edge a Gravel Driveway?
Installing edging along a gravel driveway prevents gravel from drifting beyond the designated driveway area. Driveway edgingcontains,retains, andrestrainsdriveway surface gravel, enhancing the driveway’s structural integrity and aesthetic appeal while reducing maintenance time and costs.
What Edging Design is Best for a Gravel Driveway?
Efficient gravel driveway edging should be sufficient height above grade to prevent gravel migration. Edging material should be rated forground contactand anchored securely to the subgrade of the driveway with concrete or stakes. The edging should not pose a physical risk to humans, animals, or vehicles.
What is the Best Height for Inexpensive Gravel Drivel Edging?
Gravel driveway edging should extend from the driveway’s compacted base to at least 2 inches above the gravel surface. Driveway edging should be either low-profile (below 6 inches) to prevent damage to vehicle undercarriage components or high enough (above 4 feet) to be visible to operators reversing vehicles in the driveway.
What Material is Best for Cheap DIY Gravel Driveway Edging?
Wood is the cheapest and most versatile gravel driveway edging material. Several types of wood pieces work perfectly to edge a gravel driveway. You can use treated structural timber, landscape timbers, and all reclaimed lumber, from logs to pallet wood to railroad ties and salvaged beams.
Do I Need to Dig Holes to Make Gravel Driveway Edging?
Unless you want to erect a tall retaining wall to serve as your gravel driveway edging, digging holes is unnecessary. Low-profile gravel driveway edging materials can be secured to the sub-grade of the driveway using poured concrete or hammering steel or wooden stakes into the driveway sub-grade.
Is Steel a Viable Gravel Driveway Edging Material?
Steel with a tire-friendly scalloped upper edge can edge a gravel driveway. The steel should be of sufficient height above the driveway surface to prevent gravel from migrating beyond the driveway. A high-profile angle iron is an edging option. But it is more expensive than timber or concrete.
Can Plastic Landscaping Edging be Used to Edge a Gravel Driveway?
Most plastic garden/landscaping edging products, when used as the sole gravel driveway edging material, lack the height to contain the surface gravel when exposed to moving vehicles. Plastic landscaping edging also lacks sufficient strength to handle being driven over by cars, trucks, and tractors.
Remember, we’re afterinexpensiveandrobust edging– tough enough to handle a tractor tire impact! And if the edging should fail, it must be able to be replacedcheaplyand without fuss.
Related –12 Best Trees to Line Driveway – Colorful Privacy Trees!
16+ Inexpensive Gravel Driveway Edging Ideas – Our Official List
Right! With our DIY gravel driveway edging parameters defined,let’s get edgy.Inexpensively!
1. Landscape Timbers for Gravel Driveway Edging
Easy to DIY, earthy, and low-cost, landscape timbers make perfect edging for ahomesteadgravel driveway. Each 8′ length of timber (2.5″ W x 3.5″ H) is unique, thanks to therough-cutmilling process. Authentic andrustic!
- Landscape timbers arepressure-treatedto protect against rot, termites, and fungi.
- You canstain or paintlandscape timber to add curb appeal and longevity.
- Seat the timber lengths on gravel (2 inches below the driveway surface) at the driveway’s edge with theside vertical(use the shorter side for the base) to get the necessary height for optimum gravel retention.
- Drill holes into the timber to insertrebarorlandscape stakesto hold the landscape timber in place.
Atless than $1 per running footof driveway edging, this timber and steel idea sets a median between free stuff and store-bought products. $1/ft. =handy metric!
Watchthisvideoto see how it works.
2. Structural Timber Beams to Edge a Gravel Driveway
Structural timber, aka dimensional lumber, is readily available from your local hardware (and the chain store DIY centers). Various sizes of pre-cut wood boards can serve as gravel driveway edging.
- A set of 6″ x 6″ timber beams will create achunky,low-profile retaining wall (edging) for your gravel driveway.
- Be sure to buy pressure-treated lumber,rated for ground contact.
- Drill holesin the timber for rebar stakes.
- Use12″ lengths of rebarto stake the timber down.
- Smooththe cut ends of the rebar with an angle grinder.
Dimensional lumber gives asolid edge.It also offersadequate heightto serve as astrikingandpracticalgravel driveway edging solution.
If you have the budget and energy to spare, you can set the rebar inconcretedholes, as demonstrated in this how-totimber edging videowithlap joints.
Either way, you’ll geta solid timber edgeon your gravel driveway.
Here’s aTIP: Building suppliers have bargain bins forcull lumberathuge discounts…askfor it!
3. Long Logs to Edge a Gravel Driveway (Or Driveway Timbers)
If you have tall, straight trees on your land (or your neighbors’ land) that need felling, grab yourchainsawand get those beauties down and alongside your gravel driveway. Yip! It’s thesimplest edging solution ever. Placelong logsinto the gravel along the edge of your driveway!
You can use green lumber, but deadwood is best.
- Aim for logsat least 6″in diameter.
- Drill holes forrebar stakesin thin logs.
- Userocksto prevent big logs from rolling.
If aforest firestruck your area recently, get your hands on somecharred treesforfree!
- The wood is fire-cureda lashou sugi ban. It’santi-rot by fire, and the charred wood looks stunning!
You can create a unique gravel driveway edge usingdifferent log sizes. Use shorter logs for curves and fatter logs for focal points.
You could realistically get this timberedging for free, not counting the price of a gallon or two of fuel.
Scout aboutfor some charred arboreal remains!
Related –
4. Chainsaw Mill Big Logs for Gravel Driveway Edging
On the subject of chainsaws and heavy-duty tree trunks – you can convert a long log into several boards using an inexpensive chainsaw mill called alumber-cutting guide.
- You’ll be able to get several2″ x 6″ boardsfrom a log easy as pie.
Getthe art of chainsaw millingdown, and you’ll be earning money fast.
Thequestionnow is this –what’s the best way to anchor upright timber boards to the ground to create effective gravel driveway edging?
Read onto learn howon a dime! (We show how in a few minutes.)
5. Gravel Driveway Edging Using Pallet Wood
Here’s another‘get it for free’gravel driveway edging idea – using a favoriteinexpensiveDIY material –pallet wood! If you’re up to sweaty pallet-breaking work, you can tightly edge your gravel drivewayfor next to nothing.
- Break the pallets apart using acrowbarorpallet breaker.
- Removeeverynail(and de-rust them in a jar of vinegar for future use.).
- Saw sharp points into the ends of pallet boards to create stakes.
- Screwtwo pallet boards to two stakes (one board above another).
- Like this– (double up on the horizontal boards) and make the stakes longer (± 12″).
- Use arubber malletto hammer your pallet wood edging units into the base of your gravel driveway so that the top layer of gravel rests against the base of the upper pallet board.
- The upper board willprevent gravel from flying awayfrom the driveway.
Conveniently, pallet wood is pressure-treated, so it’lllast a decade or moreas driveway edging.
6. Anchor Gravel Driveway Edging Boards with Steel Landscape Staples
Usesteel landscaping staplesif the ground beneath your gravel driveway is rock-hard and timber stakes fail to penetrate it.
These16″ U-shaped rebar anchorswill secure wooden boards to the edge of your gravel driveway like King Kong with a coconut!
- Place the staples over the boards at a45-degree angle(two per edging board)and pound the staples into the earth with amini sledgehammer.
You can DIY rebar landscaping staples using a steel rod bending tool, but this Amazon offer costs just a fraction more than straight rebar.Save yourselfsome sweat equity!
7. Railroad Ties for Gravel Driveway Edging
They’re not easy to find, but wood railroad ties strikehardscaping gold.And they also make ideal gravel driveway edging.
The weight and length of a railroad tie ensure your driveway gravel stays where it’s supposed to be without the hassle of securing the wood to the ground.
Watch thisvideoto see how you can achieve aninsurmountablegravel driveway edge.
And check youronline classified pagesfor cheap railroad ties!
8. Gravel Driveway Edging Using Cobblestone
Here’s how to createclassicgravel driveway edging to keep your grit in place with handsomecobblestonebricks. This idea is more labor and cost-intensive than wood driveway edging. And it involvesconcrete. But the result speaks for itself. Fit forCaesar!
This gravel driveway edging solution willlast for decades.
You’ll need the following.
- Cobblestones.
- Rebar.
- Fiber-reinforcedconcrete.
- Fiber-reinforced concrete has an inherent elasticity that soaks up stresses from lateral forces andlimits concrete crackingand paving stone movement.
Seehow it works!
- TIP: You can buy regular concreteready-mix (Quikcrete)and add a bag ofpoly-fiber.
This DIY project is definitely for those who like to get stuck in with a set ofknee pads!
9. Brick Edge Restraints for a Gravel Driveway
You canbuybricks for pennies on the dollaror salvagethem for free. Either way, bricks make excellent gravel driveway edging. The trick is setting them firmly into the subgrade of your driveway.
- Rememberour reinforced concrete tip, and set your brickshighenough to prevent gravel from spilling over your driveway edging.
- Watchthis videoto see how to edge right with bricks.
If you want tolearn how to work with concrete, this DIY project makes an excellent orientation week.
10. Low Stone Wall for a Gravel Driveway Edge
Imagine alow rock wallusing natural stone,gathered for freefrom the land, edging your gravel driveway! Romantic or what? Well, it’s easy to do.
Watchthis video from atrue stonemasonto see how.
If theAncient Greeks and Romanscould do it, so can you!
11. DIY Curved Gravel Driveway Edging with a Concrete Form
Get concrete and ¼”-inch plywood sheets to create freestyle gravel driveway edges. There’s nothing like concrete in forms to give you the ability to weave landscaping magic.
- Watchthis video on how to make acurved concrete curbfor your gravel driveway.
- Usefiber-reinforcedconcrete.
- Make the concrete wallhighenough to prevent gravel from escaping the driveway bed (at least 2″ above grade).
This DIY project involvescuttingplywood lengths,pinningthem to the ground informs, mixing andpouringconcrete, andmonitoringthe concrete curing process.
Don’t be daunted! It’seasier than you think.
Watchthe video for more tips.
12. Use Rocks to Edge a Gravel Driveway
Natural rockmakesfreestylegravel driveway edging.Weighty and characterful. AndFREE! Yes, okay. Finding rocks of similar size takes some effort. But it’s achievable if you persevere with yourtruck.
- You can create aconsistentgravel driveway edge with thesame rock typeor aneclecticfinish withdifferent geological specimensof suitable proportions.
- You won’t need to anchor the rocks –no concrete, no stakes!
- Select rockslower than 10″in height to prevent vehicle damage.
Load yourtrailer or utewithfreerocks and edge that gravel driveway! LikeFred Flintstonehad done it.
13. Use Cinder Blocks to Edge a Gravel Driveway
The way we see it,cinder blocksare relatively cheap, of suitable height for a gravel driveway retaining edge, and can double asplanters.
- Fantastic! Let’s see apretty picture!
You like? We do!
- Cinder blocks have the necessaryfootprintto befreestanding gravel driveway restraints.
You can enhance theirstabilityby filling them with soil forplantsor stone for exoticcolor pops.
Could you ask for a better low-cost gravel drivewayedgingfix?
Nope. We don’t think so!
14. Repurposed Car Tires for Gravel Driveway Edging
Here’s a gravel driveway edging idea forEarthshiplovers! Repurposedupcycledcar tires, serving a new purpose as gravel drivewayretainers.
Seehere, and smile! 🙂
Sink the tires 2 inches below grade andfill them with soil, flowers, pebbles, succulents, or seashells for additionalgravitas.
Yes– you can convert old tires intoplanters.
Daisy-chainold tires along the edge of your gravel driveway, and those jagged bits of stone in the driveway willstay put!
And cars in the driveway willfeel comfy next to the rubber.
15. Canvas Sand Bags for Temporary Gravel Driveway Edging
What about an easily moved gravel driveway edging solution made to serve aprotectivefunction elsewhere on the homestead? Thinkfloods.
This idea for gravel driveway edging may be a stretch, but here goes.
- Longcanvas sandbagsfor flood management can double asgravel driveway edging.
Howcunningis that?
These highly durable,UV-protectedcanvas tube bags get filled withsandand serve as restraints against floodwaters and, no doubt, driveway gravel movement, too!
Amultifunctionalitem!
They’reinexpensiveto boot.
Remove the sandbags from the driveway when you plan to edge the lawn with a weed whacker.
Thinkabout it. We love the idea!
16. Add Solar Lights to Your Gravel Driveway Edging
To prevent vehicles from driving over your driveway edging at night, install a set ofsolar driveway lights.
Sink these stemmed lights into the earth 12 inches beyond your gravel driveway edging and help the driver see where the road begins and ends.
Make itobvious!
Conclusion
When we go budget, we conceiveout of the box! We trust these inexpensive gravel driveway edging ideas hit yourDIY zone.
Keep the edginglow to the ground to save money, use reclaimed materials wherever possible, and don’t be afraid to dabble with concrete!
Create aneclectic edgeon your gravel driveway with a mix of these ideas.
These DIY ideas combinefunction,form, and financial realism – naturally.
May you and your gravel driveway findyour perfect edge.
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