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what product to use on concrete yard border strip

NamNori | Posted in Construction Techniques on February 10, 2022 02:08pm

20+ years ago, landerscapers installed a decorative wall in my front yard along with some 5″ wide concrete “borders” that basically separate the lawn areas from shrub/flower beds.  Now I wanted to hopefully duplicate that same 5″ wide concrete border for similar purposes in my back yard.   There isn’t a single piece of rock or aggregate visible.  And I like that look.  My question is what product to use on the top/surface of these borders?  They clearly aren’t simply concrete, but have more of a “fine sand” look/texture to them.  Possibly even a concrete base layer with a “something else” surface.  Does that even make sense?  If so, would I just put down basic quickrete but leave it rough and rougly 1/2″ shy of the top of the form, then follow that with a sandmix?  Or is there a better way, or even a better product?  Thanks!

Reply

Replies

  1. calvin | Feb 10, 2022 04:31pm | #1

    If you can, post a picture of what you have.

  2. NamNori | Feb 11, 2022 12:26pm | #2

    the bottom half is what I'm referring to (top is the adjoining sidewalk)

  3. florida | Feb 12, 2022 11:55am | #3

    I expect your border was done with a border extruding machine that leaves a very smooth, slick finish. There is probably a local concrete contractor who does borders.

  4. NamNori | Feb 13, 2022 01:10pm | #4

    no... they built forms and there was a cement mixer in the driveway. I remember that much. and the borders are all curved. It's definitely a question of material(s). maybe a mostly sand-mix with portland cement and not simply Quikrete?

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