How to Nail That Perfect Edge on Your Brick Walkway Where It Meets the Driveway

First Things First: Planning & Preparation are EVERYTHING

Know Your Driveway

• For Asphalt Driveways: The edges can often be a bit ragged. You'll likely need to create a clean, straight line to butt your bricks up against. We'll talk about how to do that in a bit.
• For Concrete Driveways: The edge is usually more defined, but it might not be perfectly level or at the right height for your walkway.

The "Soldier Course": Your Secret Weapon for a Pro Finish

Gather Your Tools & Materials

• Shovel (both a standard & a flat-head spade or edger)
• Wheelbarrow
• Mason's line & stakes
• Level (a long one is best)
• Rubber mallet
• Hand tamper (or a block of wood)
• Tape measure
• Safety glasses & gloves
• For cutting: A masonry chisel, a circular saw with a diamond blade, or a rented partner saw (for cutting asphalt/concrete)
• Trowel (if using mortar)

• The bricks for your edging (make sure you have enough!)
• Crushed stone/gravel for the base
• Paver sand
• Edging restraints (we'll dive into the options)
• Polymeric sand (this stuff is a game-changer for keeping weeds out)
• Concrete mix or mortar (depending on your method)

Step 1: Digging Out & Creating a Solid Foundation

1. Mark Your Line: Use your mason's line & stakes to create a perfectly straight line for your edging. This is your guide for everything that follows.
2. Dig the Trench: Start digging. You'll want to create a trench that's a few inches wider than the bricks you're using. The depth is key: it needs to be deep enough to accommodate about 4-6 inches of compacted base material, a 1-inch layer of sand, PLUS the height of your brick. So, if you have a 4-inch brick, you're looking at a trench that's about 9-11 inches deep. This seems like a lot, but trust me, it's worth it.
3. Clean Up the Driveway Edge: If your asphalt edge is messy, now's the time to clean it up. Renting a demo saw or a partner saw with a diamond blade is the best way to get a crisp, straight cut. This gives your bricks a perfect surface to butt up against.
4. Compact the Soil: Once your trench is dug, use your hand tamper to compact the soil at the bottom. You want a firm base to start with.
5. Add & Compact the Gravel Base: Start adding your crushed gravel in 2-inch layers. After each layer, use the hand tamper to THOROUGHLY compact it. You really can't over-compact this stuff. This creates a stable, well-draining foundation that will prevent your bricks from sinking or shifting.

Step 2: Choosing & Installing Your Edging Restraint

• Plastic Edging: This is the most common DIY option. It's affordable & flexible, making it good for curves. You secure it by driving long spikes through it into the base. The key is to make sure the top of the edging doesn't stick up above the bricks.
• Metal Edging: Aluminum or steel edging offers a sleeker look & is more durable than plastic. It's a great choice for straight runs & can handle a bit more abuse.
• Concrete Edging: A poured concrete edge is the strongest option & is often used for driveways. It creates a super-solid border that locks the bricks in place. It's a bit more work, but the results are incredibly durable.

Step 3: The Sand Layer & Setting Your Bricks

1. The Sand Bed: Add about a 1-inch layer of paver sand on top of your compacted gravel base. This layer is what you'll use to get your bricks perfectly level. Don't compact the sand yet!
2. Screeding the Sand: Use a flat board or a piece of pipe to "screed" the sand, dragging it across the top of your edging restraints to create a perfectly smooth, level surface.
3. Laying the Soldier Course: This is where you create that pro-looking border. Start laying your bricks in the soldier course pattern, placing them directly against the clean edge of your driveway. Gently tap them into the sand with your rubber mallet. Use your level constantly, both along the length of the bricks & across them, to ensure they are perfectly flush with the driveway surface. This is SUPER important to prevent a trip hazard.
4. Tap, Tap, Tap: Adjust the height of each brick by adding or removing a little sand underneath it & tapping it down with your mallet. Be patient here. Getting the bricks perfectly level is what separates a good job from a great one.

Step 4: Locking It All In with Polymeric Sand

1. Sweep it In: Once all your bricks are in place & you're happy with how they look, pour the polymeric sand over the surface. Use a broom to sweep the sand into every single joint & crevice until they are completely full.
2. Compact Again: Run your hand tamper (or plate compactor if you have one) over the bricks. This will settle the sand deep into the joints & lock the bricks into place. You'll notice the sand level drop, so you'll need to sweep more sand in.
3. Final Sweep: Sweep more sand in until the joints are full again. Then, use a leaf blower or a soft broom to remove every last grain of sand from the surface of the bricks. This is critical! Any sand left on the surface will harden & leave a hazy film.
4. Activate with Water: Using a hose with a gentle shower setting, lightly mist the entire area. You want to wet the sand, not blast it out of the joints. Follow the instructions on the bag, but typically you'll do a few passes, allowing the water to soak in each time.

Handling Different Driveway Types

For an Asphalt Driveway:

• Cut a Clean Line: As mentioned, renting a saw to cut a straight edge is the best approach.
• Filling Small Gaps: If you have a small, unavoidable gap between your new brick edge & the asphalt, you can use a high-quality asphalt crack filler or cold patch. Apply it carefully to create a seamless transition.
• Seal the Deal: After everything is done, consider applying a driveway sealer along the new joint. This will help protect the asphalt edge & further bond it to your brickwork.

For a Concrete Driveway:

• Mortar for the Win: For an incredibly strong bond, you can set your soldier course bricks in a bed of mortar directly against the concrete driveway. This essentially makes your brick edge an extension of the concrete. You'd apply a layer of mortar on top of your gravel base instead of the sand layer.
• Mind the Slope: Ensure your brick walkway has a slight slope away from your house & driveway for proper drainage. You don't want water pooling at the transition point, especially in freezing climates. This is a common mistake that can lead to major damage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Learn from Others!)

1. Skimping on the Base: I can't say it enough. A shallow, poorly compacted base will lead to sinking & shifting bricks.
2. Forgetting Edging Restraints: Without them, your bricks WILL spread apart. It's only a matter of time.
3. Ignoring Drainage: Water is the enemy of any hardscape project. Ensure a proper slope away from your foundation & driveway.
4. Incorrect Height: Making the brick edge higher than the driveway is a major trip hazard & looks amateur. Aim for perfectly flush or even a hair lower.
5. Improper Jointing: Using regular sand or not filling the joints properly will result in a weed-infested, unstable edge. Polymeric sand is your friend.

What About Parking?