Why do you need a curb for a blind area, types and installation technology

In order to preserve the integrity and aesthetics of the blind area surrounding buildings, curbs are essential. This modest addition improves the piece’s aesthetic appeal and offers crucial structural advantages.

By preserving the blind area and shielding the foundation from possible harm, curb installation aids in the prevention of soil erosion. It guarantees that water is efficiently diverted away from the structure, lowering the possibility of water seepage and associated problems.

There are numerous varieties

What it is?

A blind area curb is a side stone that is set around a permanent structure to drain rainwater from the building’s foundation and facade. It is placed along the perimeter of a hard covering.

This product has varied cross-sectional dimensions, length, strength, and other mechanical and physical properties. It is composed of granite, concrete, polymer, or other materials.

Functions of edge stone

Regardless of size, composition, or method of manufacture, blind area border stones are employed in the following scenarios:

• Retention of the soil base under the hard surface of the blind area.
• Acting as a water seal and sheet pile fence, increasing the filtration path of the surface water.
• Logical completion of the pedestrian zone with a border stone, which is reflected in the appearance of the improvement element.
• Design of trays for draining rainwater along the surface of the blind area, when organizing a longitudinal or transverse slope.
• Most often, garden borders are used to frame a blind area made of paving stones, since this type of paving always requires lateral support to avoid slipping during operation.

Due to the artificial base’s preservation of its structure—which prevents it from settling and tilting over time—curb stones for the blind area also greatly extend its service life.

Characteristics and parameters

The following specifications and technical features must be met by the curbs that frame the blind area surrounding the building:

• Increased strength – when using concrete borders, the material class must be at least B22.5.
• Frost resistance of the material – the minimum indicator should be from F100 and more.
• Water absorption of curb stones for the blind area should not exceed 5%.
• On the surface of the products there should not be a large number of chips, cavities and other visible defects that indicate a violation of the technology for the manufacture of curbstones.
• The color of the product should be uniform over the entire area of ​​the front surface.
• The length of the flanging for the blind area is from 500 to 2000 mm.
• The height of the curbs varies from 200 to 300 mm.
• The thickness, depending on other linear parameters, ranges from 40 to 150 mm.
• In concrete products longer than 1000 mm, reinforcement from longitudinal rods or welded frames is mandatory.
• The own weight of curbstones for the blind area is from 20 to 120 kg, in terms of 1 running. m.

Apart from the aforementioned prerequisites, the stone structure must not exhibit any fissures resulting from inadequate conditions for the hardening of concrete. Applying impact load causes brittle failure due to such violations.

In order to keep water away from your building’s foundation and stop soil erosion, a curb for a blind area is crucial. Curbs made of concrete, stone, or plastic offer a variety of advantages and design choices. The process of installing a curb consists of a few easy steps: site preparation, form setting, material mixing and pouring, and surface finishing. This upgrade improves the look of your property while also providing protection.

Requirements according to GOST

The following regulatory documents govern the requirements for curbs made of granite, concrete, and other materials that frame the blind area surrounding the house:

• GOST 6665-91 "Concrete and reinforced concrete curb stones".
• SP 82.13330.2016 "Improvement of territories".
• GOST 32018-2012 "Construction and road products made of natural stone".
• GOST R 58895-2020 "Chemically resistant concretes. Technical conditions".

Each legally recognized plant generates its own TU based on these documents; the TU’s specifications fit into the required testing program for prototypes.

The product is granted a certificate of conformance with technical requirements upon the successful completion of the structural element examination.

Types of curbs

Depending on the thickness, overall size, and mode of operation of the blind area, various curb types are available for framing its surface. A thorough classification of curbstones for the structure type in question can be found below.

By design

Curbstones, which are frequently used to frame the plane of the blind area, can be classified into the following types based on their design:

1. By cross-sectional shape:
2. Rectangular.
3. Square.
4. With corner chamfer.
5. With radius chamfer.
6. With inclined front part.
7. Trapezoid.
8. By length:
9. 500 mm.
10. 1000 mm.
11. Any length, from 500 to 2000 mm (for granite products).
12. By presence of reinforcement:
13. Without reinforcement (up to 1000 mm).
14. With reinforcement cage (more than 1000 mm).
15. By manufacturing method:
16. Cast, in formwork.
17. Vibro-pressed.
18. Vibro-cast.
19. By surface finishing method:
20. Without finishing.
21. Sawn.
22. Grinded.
23. Polished.
24. Chipped.
25. By presence curvatures:
26. Rectilinear.
27. Quarter.
28. Segmental – to form a curved edge of the blind area.

Apart from the aforementioned attributes and distinguishing qualities, the curbs within the specific category exhibit variations in the material’s shade, which is contingent upon the pigment’s composition and color spectrum.

By material

The following categories apply to all curbs, based on the kind of raw materials used:

1. Made of heavy concrete. Advantages: a large number of factories throughout the country, production of products in strict accordance with GOST, availability of certificates of conformity. Disadvantages: not attractive enough appearance, only typical product dimensions are available on the market, heavy curb stones are difficult to install.
2. Made of lightweight concrete. Advantages: low volume weight, easy transportation and installation, low price. Disadvantages: low compressive and bending strength, increased porosity coefficient, which leads to low frost resistance and water resistance.
3. Made of metal. Advantages: lightweight products, do not take up much space during transportation, with a thickness of only 1.2 mm, have increased strength. Disadvantages: galvanized steel is subject to corrosion after 5-7 years of operation, products are deformed beyond repair under impact loads.
4. Made of natural granite. Advantages: the lowest water absorption rate – 0.5%, high strength, reliability and durability, attractive appearance. Disadvantages: difficult to process, increased dead weight, one of the most expensive materials in the category under consideration.
5. Made of polymer concrete. Advantages: lightweight, durable, frost-resistant material, does not rot, does not support the spread of mold. Disadvantages: low strength, poor environmental performance.
6. Made of scrap materials. Advantages: the ability to implement any designer"s idea, attractive and original appearance of the curbstone. Disadvantages: errors in the design and installation of the structure can lead to its rapid destruction and physical wear.

The retail price of the products is heavily influenced by the manufacturing material and curb production technique.

Rules for selecting curb products

Many significant considerations must be made in order to select the appropriate curbs for the blind area:

• Blind area covering material – when using concrete, you should purchase the same curb, in the case of paving stones, it is recommended to order a curbstone with a similar shade.
• Blind area width – to maintain proportionality, the curb thickness should be within 5% to 10% of this dimension. Thus, with a covering width of 1000 mm, the thickness of the curb should vary from 50 to 100 mm.
• The thickness of the coating, as well as the material of the soil base under the blind area. Both the category of material and the height of the on -board stone depend on this indicator, taking into account its sealing into the ground.
• The material of the base of the building – when performing its cladding from granite or agglomerate plates, should also be installed to select, from granite.
• Height of the plane mark of the blind area above the lawn or other landscaping element. If it is necessary to separate the blind area and the adjacent territory made of similar materials, it is permissible to use a metal border as a layout.
• Each curbstone produced in the factory must have a certificate of conformity, which specifies all its technical characteristics.
• If, upon inspection of the curbstone, on the surface of most of the products from the batch, many shells, chips and other defects are found, you should refuse to buy such a product.
• There should be no cracks in the structure of the curb for the blind area. When lightly struck with a metal tube, they should make a melodic sound.

The year the company was founded, the variety of products offered, the colors used, the modifications made, and many other aspects are important considerations when selecting the ideal curb. To guarantee exceptional quality, you should research both the good and bad comments of the manufacturer’s products on internet forums before making a curbstone purchase.

Installation technology

It is necessary to adhere to every detail of the previously created technological map and consider several significant subtleties when erecting curbs for blind areas.

1. The curb stone is fixed strictly before laying the hard covering of the blind area.
2. Before starting installation, it is necessary to carry out axes and markings, taking into account the slope of the blind area from the base of the building to the curb.
3. Curbstones should be installed on a layer of sand and gravel mixture, which is especially important in the presence of clay soils under the contact plane.
4. If the blind area will be used as a pedestrian path, it is recommended to fix the curbs on a bed of hard cement-sand mixture.
5. When installing curbs, it is necessary to periodically adjust their mark and geometric position. For this, it is recommended to use a hammer with a wooden striker, since a crack may form when the stone comes into contact with metal.
6. After installing one of the curbstone lines, control measurements of the position and elevation of the curbs should be taken. It should be taken into account that the setting time of the bed material is from 60 to 120 minutes, and after the start of hardening, it is almost impossible to correct errors without partially dismantling the structure.

In order to allow for polymerization and the start of the cement-sand mortar’s strength gain, further work should not begin before 24 hours after the curbs are installed.

Pros and cons of use

The nation’s population has a strong preference for curbs that frame the blind area, so landscape designers frequently employ this method when creating a landscape design.

Customers point out several indisputable benefits of this solution:

• A blind area made of concrete, paving slabs or paving stones acquires a finished look.
• Piece elements of the plane cladding are not subject to destruction, which preserves the integrity of the entire structure for a long time.
• The artificial foundation is not washed out from under the blind area under the influence of rainwater.

The use of curb stones for the blind area has several drawbacks in addition to the apparent benefits.

1. Labor-intensive installation process.
2. High dead weight of most products, which increases the cost of delivery and loading and unloading operations.
3. High cost of the blind area using curb stones, provided that all stages of work are carried out according to GOST.

The aforementioned drawbacks are subjective and frequently overlooked by real estate developers and owners. In this sense, curb stones in this category are becoming more and more popular every year.

Average prices in the Russian Federation

Because there is intense competition among the hundreds of factories that produce curbs in every region of the Russian Federation, average retail prices eventually level out.

Curbs for a blind area can be ordered for the following costs for a city park or vacation home:

• Concrete products with dimensions of 500 x 200 x 40 – from 70 – 150 rubles./piece.
• Concrete curbstones with dimensions of 1000 x 300 x 80 – from 180 – 250 rubles./piece.
• Granite curbs GP4, 200 x 80 mm – from 750 rubles/running metre. .
• Granite curbs GP4, 200 x 100 mm – from 1000 rubles/running metre. .
• Granite curbs GP5, 300 x 150 mm – from 1600 rubles/running metre. .
• Granite curbs GP5, 400 x 180 mm – from 2400 rubles/running metre. .
• Galvanized steel divider with a height of 120 – 180 mm, straight, from 350 – 450 rubles/p. m.
• Flanging with a thickness of 1.2 – 1.6 mm, made of stainless steel, straight, height from 160 to 250 mm – from 1200 – 1500 rubles/p.
• Stainless steel separators with a capacity of 0.8 to 1.2 mm – from 900 – 1100 rubles/p. m.

The prices mentioned above could change based on the following signs:

1. Cost of material (e.g. steel, inert non-metallic minerals).
2. Number of products in one order.
3. Presence of pigment.
4. Quality of raw material for granite curbs.
5. Seasonality – in summer they may cost more.
6. Delivery distance.
7. Internal pricing policy of the outlet.

Every plot owner can buy items for their own use at construction markets. It is recommended that construction and installation companies place bulk orders directly with the manufacturer.

There are many advantages to installing a curb in a blind area around your house. It assists in deflecting water away from the foundation, thereby averting possible flooding. Over time, this small addition can save homeowners a lot of money by preserving the integrity of the foundation.

There are several kinds of curbs available, and they all have distinct functional and aesthetic uses. Depending on your unique requirements and tastes, you may choose between a concrete, brick, or stone curb. Every kind has benefits of its own, ranging from simplicity of installation to longevity.

Despite being simple, the installation process needs to be carefully planned and carried out.

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