Laying curbsis relatively easy as long as it is carried out in a straight line. The situation is a bit more difficult when we want to lay a path along a curve delimited by arcs. A few simple rules and the effort put into it, however, are worth the final effect that will satisfy the users of the garden, and maybe even delight its guests. Seehow to arrange curbs on the archto make the structure aesthetic and durable.
Soft lines perfectly match home paths and terraces. In the photo, an arch from the edge of Kravento Grande Libet Decco
From the technical point of view, embedding elements on arches does not differ from those in a straight line. The technical aspect will therefore be omitted in this text. Instead, we will focus on what to do to make the free-winding paths look good.
The simplest solution would be to use the so-called industrial elements, i.e. concrete curbs known from the fringes of public roads and sidewalks. Among the elements intended for their production are internal and external arches with a radius of 0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 9 m. The problem is that their industrial aesthetics do not suit most gardens. So what to do to get nice arches from decorative edge elements dedicated to home paths and terraces?
Create arcs
- Proper demarcation of the boundaries of the future path is definitely the most important element - explains Piotr Kułagowski, technical consultant at Libet - If it is done correctly, we can basically be sure that at least from a slightly greater distance (for example from the windows of the house) our the paths and terraces will look good.
The most common mistake when marking the lines of future curbs is wrong marking of the points and directions of the contact of individual curved and straight sections. For a smooth transition without conspicuous and annoying sharp angles? individual segments should be tangent with each other and connect exactly at the points of contact. In practice (if we mark out the arc with a string - which is basically the simplest and best solution), it means the need to correctly determine the center of the circle, part of which is the curvature we define. If the previous episode is a straight line? the center must be on a straight line perpendicular to the straight section of the curb and passing exactly through the intended point of tangency. The distance between the center and the tangent point will be the radius of the arc. If another straight segment is to appear behind it, it must be exactly perpendicular to the radius of our arc at the second (end) point of tangency.
The geometric construction is even simpler when we define a curve consisting of successive arc segments passing one another. In this case, the center of the next arc must simply lie on the line defined by the tangent point and the center of the previous arc. The size of the rays of the individual fragments does not matter.
The shape of the boundary elements of split (broken) palisades also allows for the preparation of arches of different radii. In the photo: Acropolis Solaro cube and broken pastello palisade
Arch materials
If the line of the future curb was correctly marked? you can focus on another important element, i.e. the selection of material and its preparation. The simplest material in this case are classic palisades. The shape of the elements has been designed in such a way that it is possible to arrange arcs of any radius without any additional preparations.The broken palisades (eg Kravento Basso) do not require any additional preparations, but in this case it should be remembered that the joint between the elements will expand outside the arch. It will be especially visible with curves of relatively small radius.
Kravento Grande and Alto elements may require a little more thought and preparation. Their assortment also includes wedge elements that allow for making both internal and external arches. At 12.4 cm wide, they taper by 2.5 cm. This makes it possible to use them to create an arc with an external radius of about 50 cm (assuming that the joint width is kept constant). To adjust the radius, a suitable repeating combination of straight and wedge elements must be established. For example, a repeated combination: two wedge elements? one straight, gives an arch with a radius of about 80 cm.
Kravento Alto (Libet Decco) edges have wedge elements that allow for both internal and external arches
" Definitely the most work and preparation will be required to make a perimeter arch. The main problem here is that they are long elements (about 1 m). Depending on the radius of the arc, it may be necessary to cut them into shorter lengths. Regardless of this, it will be useful to cut the ends of the element at an angle resulting from the radius of the arc. This will enable a clean and aesthetic connection of subsequent modules with each other. This treatment will be sufficient for relatively long bows. A 2 m radius can be taken as a limiting value. With this value, the 90 ° arch is approximately 3.14 m long, so we arrange it from three full-length perimeter elements. If the effect is too angular for us - we should cut each element in half and chamfer each of the newly created ends accordingly. As the radius of the arc to be made decreases (or the aesthetic need for a smoother transition between elements), it may be necessary to divide each rim into more parts."
"- The marking out and proper execution of the line delimiting the garden path running along the curve can therefore be quite laborious - comments Piotr Kułagowski - However, this does not mean that it is difficult or complicated, but only requires precision and patience. It is not worth using any technological simplifications or embedding elements by eye. Especially since it is correctly marked out and made? can become a decoration of any home.
