Three Considerations for Building Pavement Kerbs

Kerbs are essential structures when building road pavements since they separate the main street from the footpath. The raised edges are also designed to provide structural reinforcement to the pavements. They discourage irresponsible parking and driving of vehicles on footpaths and turf in residential and commercial areas. The shape of the kerb can be constructed to help channel rainwater and melted snow from the streets and into the storm drains. Additionally, pavement kerbs can enhance the aesthetics of real estate property by giving the footpath a finished look. If you are thinking about building a kerb for your residential or commercial space, consider these three factors to ensure that the final results are favourable.

Materials

There are diverse building materials which are suitable for building beautiful and long-lasting kerbs. Your choice will depend on a variety of factors including initial cost of purchase, ease of installation and the projected durability. One of the most commonly used materials is concrete because it is readily available and relatively inexpensive. You can purchase or order precast concrete blocks for your kerb or engage a contractor for onsite pouring. Asphalt kerbs are also fairly popular and are typically constructed using a paving machine. They are fairly cheap to construct, but their durability is lower than that of concrete. You can also choose to build a stone kerb which is typically built from granite. It is a favourable choice because it is highly durable, aesthetically pleasing and it is resistant to the effects of de-icing salt.

Kerb Shape

Kerbs can be built in assorted shapes, but the most popular is a plain vertical face. This is designed to act as an insurmountable barrier against drivers who may wish to leave the main roadway. It is also believed that the style can minimise the risk of tripping since it is a single step down or up. Unfortunately, this is not a good choice for busy high-traffic commercial areas or the suburbs. In such scenarios, sloped or dropped-cut kerbs are more appropriate because they cater for pedestrians with limitations. For example, they allow people on wheelchairs and tricycles or those pushing prams and strollers to cross the roadways more easily.

Integrated Gutter

You can choose to build a kerb with an integral gutter or without depending on the efficiency of runoff water drainage in the area. The incorporated gutter is a good choice especially for driveways which are susceptible to temporary flooding during heavy rains. It will improve the hydraulic flow performance by channelling the water more effectively to the drains.

Talk with a contractor from a company like East Coast Kerbing Pty Ltd if you have specific questions about the kerb construction process.

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