Belgian blocks for edging: Belgium Block New Archives – Bedford Stone & Masonry Supply Corp

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Belgian Block Accents for Defining Your Outdoor Spaces

By Rachel Brown

Rachel Brown Interior Design, Renovation

Rachel is a freelance writer currently living in Europe. Making homes beautiful is her passion and she loves eclectic style. You can find her frequenting antique stores for the perfect rug or curled up on her sofa with a good book and a cup of tea.

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Reviewed by Stefan Gheorghe

Stefan Gheorghe Founder/CEO

Stefan Gheorghe is the founder and CEO of Homedit.com. In 2008, he launched the platform out of his passion for interior design and home decoration.

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Belgian block accents beautify these foundation areas by giving distinction to walls, driveways, and garden pathways. Driveways and curbs are not the most glamorous of your household fundamentals, but details matter.

Harmony Design Group

They provide lovely definition and give these spaces a custom look that can make even these common places more interesting.

Belgian Block: A Short History

Belgian blocks, also called sett, are rectangular or square stone blocks that people have used in roads and walkways for hundreds of years. Romans first used this technique but many adopted it because of the ease in which horses were able to travel along these roads. In fact, many of the roads engineers built with these blocks still exist and are used today.

C.E. Pontz Sons

As the name suggests, this stone may have a historical connection to Belgium. When European ships set sail from Belgian port cities like Antwerp, sailors used these large blocks in the ships belly as ballasts for ships that were too light.

Once the traders filled these ships with goods purchased, they left the stones behind in port cities like Boston and New York and people used them for paving roads there. Now, Belgian block is considered a generic term as they have little or no affiliation with Belgium today.

Using Belgian Block Today

Many people use Belgian blocks today for landscaping projects like curbing, borders and walls as well as for street paving, wall caps, and building blocks for pillars. Also, they use them in many driveways either for accents or for paving the whole driveway. These stones have a stunning effect on the most simple projects and add curb appeal.

Size And Shape Of Belgian Block

Belgian blocks are cubical-shaped pieces of solid granite. These blocks range in size and are approximations because they are hand-cut and each is a little different. The smallest size is around 4 x 4 x 4.

There are two larger sizes, regular and jumbo.

  • The regular size is around 5 x 5 x 9 inches.
  • The jumbo size Belgian block is 4 x 7 x 10 inches.

If you need a different size, you can split these stones by using a masonry saw. In order to determine the number of materials you need for your project, there are helpful online Belgian block calculators or charts for you to consult before you begin.

These granite stones range in color. They can be pink, black, yellow, and a combination of gray and white. Some people confuse these blocks with cobblestone. However, they are not the same as cobblestones are deep gray and refer to rounded rocks taken from rivers. Belgian block are quarried, so they have rough edging.

Belgian blocks In Landscaping Projects

You can use these granite blocks to create beauty in your landscape in unique ways. We can’t wait to show you some of our favorite projects that use this versatile stone.

Belgian Block Edging

Tuma Lawn Service

For this landscaping project, the installers used Belgian stone to line a pea gravel walkway. The blocks function to give distinction to the walkway and also hold in the small pea gravel.

Belgian Block Driveway

Sallie Hill

The stones on this driveway have a stunning effect. They have installed the stones in half concentric circles. While this driveway uses Belgian stones on the whole area, the length of some driveways may make this prohibitive. You can save on the cost of using stones but also get the benefit by using a combination of asphalt and a Belgian block driveway apron at the beginning.

Belgian block curb

This Old House

Using Belgian stones for curbing gives this driveway an obvious outline. This is the perfect way to add interest to a driveway without a huge expense. In a practical way, it is a great way to contain landscaping material like mulch.

Belgian wall block

Rockland Pavers

Belgian stones make a beautiful wall as they have a varied color palette and regular size. We love the variegated pink and brown of this wall. Also, the levels make an effective landscape display.

Belgian block border

YouTube

You can use these stones to create an effective and natural-looking border. The installers used the stones in this project to create a natural stairway. The grass in between the layers keeps the look softer than it would be with gravel or pavement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

How much is a Belgian block driveway?

For a granite stone driveway, expect to pay at least $35 dollars per square foot.

How much do Belgian stones cost?

Expect to pay around $10-$12 per square foot for the stones themselves.

How much does a Belgian block weigh?

There are around 360 stones in one ton.

Can you use Belgian block for a fire pit?

Yes, you can use these blocks for edging and for walls.

Where can I buy Belgian block near me?

These stones are common and you can find them at most large stone yards.

How many Belgian stones are in a pallet?

Depending on the size, stones in a pallet range from 150-500 pieces.

Conclusion

Belgian blocks are a simple but beautiful way to add distinction to an area that might, in other times, go without notice. Thus, they are worth considering as part of your landscaping arsenal. While these projects can be accomplished by amateurs, the detailing accomplishes a look that is professional indeed.

Cobblestones – Belgium Block – River Rock – Brick & Man-Made Curbstone Used As Edging

Cobblestones, Belgium Block, River Rock, Brick, EP Henry Curbstone, and other brands of man-made edging are commonly used to provide a border and separate different features in the landscape such as driveways, patios, walks, and lawn areas from plant beds and lawns. Border and edging stones work well in more level areas where you want a structural divider, but do not need the extra elevation of a wall. They also work well on slopes where a wall would require many level steps up or down. We often use cobblestones to dress up the look of metal window wells; the metal provides the support for the window well, and the cobblestones improve the appearance. They can also be used as a low step up to a patio or walkway. Border stones are often installed in soil when just separating beds from lawns, but sometimes should be installed with concrete at the base when used as an edging along walks, patios, or driveways, and when used as a step. Shown below are examples of different types and uses of edging stones. All work shown constructed by Robert J Kleinberg Landscape Design & Construction.

Granite Cobble Stones or Belgium Block

Granite cobble stones or Belgium Block were once used as ballast in ships coming from Europe. That is why so many streets in older sections of Philadelphia are paved with cobblestones. Traditionally gray with a little black variegations, they now can also be easily found with predominantly pink, tan, and black shades. They usually come in jumbo size which is 4″ x 8″ x 11″, gray also comes in regular size which is 4″ x 5″ x 9″. Generally at least half the edger should be buried for stability. Jumbo Cobble stones can be used vertically for more height or horizontally with less height but more length, and therefore less materials and cost. Edgers can be used in hardscaping and landscaping applications. Cobble stones are commonly installed with concrete along driveways and when edging patios and walks. In gardens, they are often installed without concrete with the soil compacted along the bottom and against the sides of the cobblestones.

Also, see examples of decorative concrete edgers and brick used as edging below the cobblestone examples.

Cobblestone Border Along Patio, Driveway, and Planting Beds – Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA 19026
Jumbo Cobblestones installed as a step and border vertically in concrete

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Close-up of Cobble Stone step and border:

Cobblestone Border Along Patio – Havertown, Delaware County, PA 19083
Jumbo Cobblestones installed as a patio border vertically in concrete under a fence between properties.

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Cobblestone Border – Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA 19026
Regular sized gray cobblestones are used lengthwise here bordering an informal pea gravel walk.

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Cobble Stone Step – Wallingford, Delaware County, PA 19086
Cobble Stone step and border between blacktop driveway and flagstone walk – set in concrete

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Pink Cobblestone Border Along Walk – Media, Delaware County, PA 19063
Jumbo Pink Cobblestones installed as a border vertically in concrete between walk and bed.

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Close-up of Pink Cobble Stone border:

Cobblestone Border between planting Bed and Lawn – Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA 19026
Jumbo Gray Cobblestones installed as a border vertically in soil between lawn and bed.

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Cobble Stones around a metal Window Well – Lansdowne, Delaware County, PA 19050
Jumbo Cobblestones installed in concrete to improve the appearance of the window well.

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Curbstone or Decorative Concrete Edgers

EP Henry Curbstone, and other brands of man-made edging stones come in various colors to match paver patio and wall stones. They are made in about the same size as cobblestones, with a wall stone or cobblestone texture on at least two sides. Generally at least half the edger should be buried for stability. Edgers can be used in hardscaping and landscaping applications. EP Henry Curbstone are commonly installed with concrete along driveways and when edging patios and walks. In gardens they are often installed without concrete with the soil compacted along the bottom and against the sides of the Curbstone.

EP Henry Dakota Blend Curbstone Border in concrete – Marple, Delaware County, PA 19008

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EP Henry Autumn Blend Curbstone Border in concrete – Havertown, Delaware County, PA 19083

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EP Henry Autumn Blend Curbstone Border in soil – Springfield, Delaware County, PA 19064

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Brick Used As Edging

Brick and concrete pavers can also be used either upright or laid flat at ground level as edging, borders, and mowing strips. Used upright, generally at least half of the brick or paver should be buried for stability. Brick and paver used as edging can be used in hardscaping and landscaping applications. Brick and pavers are commonly installed with concrete along patios and walks. In gardens they are often installed without concrete with the soil compacted along the bottom and against the sides of the brick or pavers.

Brick Border and Mowing Strip – Merion Station, Montgomery County, Main Line, PA 19066
Brick laid flat and held in place with concrete. Bordering grass, pea gravel and landscape beds.

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EP Henry Charcoal Brickstone Border in concrete along Driveway – Ardmore, Montgomery County, Main Line, PA 19003

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Glen Gery Danish Pavers Clay Brick Border in concrete – Secane, Delaware County, PA 19018

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River Rock Used as Edging

River Rock comes in many sizes that can give different effects when edging.  It is somewhat indestructible, and very easy to install, so labor costs are much less.  Larger stones make more of a statement and can make a bed stand out much more than cheap plastic edging so commonly used.

Bed edged with 8-in. to 12-in. river rock – Newtown Square, Delaware Copunty, PA 19073

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Roeben handmade brick. Neerpelt, Belgium: multiple edging.

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The name of the project refers not only to the floor plan, shape and location of the building, but can also be used as a description of non-standard relief brickwork.

The L-shaped new building combines a total of 32 apartments, an office block and underground parking. In a separate three-story west wing, there are an additional six apartments designed specifically for the elderly.

The northern and northeastern parts of the building appear closed, on the opposite side of the street there are mostly four-story residential and office buildings. The southern part of the residential complex with stepped balconies is more open and hospitable, opposite you can see private brick houses for one family.

Bright details stand out against the general background – spacious corner balconies, decorated in some places with vertical wooden elements. Thanks to their curved shape, they create a pleasing contrast to the rectangular lines of the building. Refresh and enliven the house placed everywhere gabions – boxes with earth and rubble with green plants planted in them.

Built over the fourth floor, the penthouse was additionally trimmed with ceramic light gray facade elements. Its wide terrace offers a beautiful view of the green surroundings and the small river Dommel, which flows nearby on the south side.

All buildings in the area are made of brick. Based on this, the choice of material for cladding the facade of the house was not so difficult. It was more difficult to find a reliable manufacturer and a suitable brick model. After a long search, the choice fell on the Röben WIESMOOR “kohle-bunt” hand-molded brick – colored charcoal. “Thanks to its characteristic surface and non-uniform brown color, it fits perfectly into the overall concept of the house”, – explains his vision of the project Marc Bolle. “Combined with modern, clear architecture and wood elements, the brick façade created a timeless building, devoid of the possibility of obsolescence, while at the same time blending in perfectly with the overall landscape.”

In order to tie the various pieces together, standard “spoon” brickwork was used. Dark, rough seams connect 52 mm thin-format bricks together. Above the windows, loggias and parapets, special prefabricated window lintels and masonry covers were used by Röben for faster and more efficient construction.

For facing the office part of the building, Mark Bolle used the same brick. However, to create a slight contrast with the living quarters of the complex, a completely different type of masonry was used – relief.