Membranes are a great way to prevent weeds and unwanted growth interrupting your gravel path; they also help to keep your gravel clean by keeping it away from the soil beneath.
Laying a weed membrane can help improve the look of your gravel and is easy to do by following these handy hints!
Choose the right membrane:
Membranes come in various thicknesses. Thinner varieties are more suited to lighter domestic projects and can be used on planting beds and in areas where there is little pedestrian traffic. This thinner material is easier to cut and helps keep the soil beneath healthy by allowing water, nutrients and air to permeate.
Thicker membranes are suitable for vehicular or heavy pedestrian use areas. This is harder to cut and more resistant to damage, although nutrient and water can still pass through the fabric. If you are using a sharp, angular material such as slate on your path we would recommend using a thicker membrane to prevent piercing.
FAQs
If the membrane is going to be used as a ground stabiliser for block paving or patios, excavate soil to the required depth allowing sufficient room for a layer of sub-base, a base course layer and the final surface finish. Spray areas prone to weeds with a subtle weed killer.
Should I put sand under weed membrane? ›
A layer of protection can be provided using sand; however, this will contaminate the gravel. Laying a secondary fleece under the root barrier provides a better option. Sand can be used to weigh down both weed control fabrics once in place.
Do I need to remove weeds before laying a weed barrier? ›
While it's best to clear as many weeds out of a bed as possible before installing a weed barrier, it is possible to place a weed barrier directly over existing weeds. The weed barrier should be able to smother any existing weeds and kill them, especially if mulch is used on top of the barrier.
What goes on top of weed membrane? ›
Cover the membrane – add a layer of mulch, gravel, or decorative material (based on your chosen finish) on top of the membrane. Water the membrane, and monitor the area – thoroughly water the area, so that the membrane is fully anchored in the soil.
What is the best thing to use as a weed barrier? ›
Landscape fabric is most often used as barrier material under a layer of rock or mulch. Sometimes it is laid underneath paving stones. It is supposed to prevent weeds from growing up from underneath the fabric. Along with the rock, it is touted as the ultimate in a maintenance free yard.
How many layers of weed barrier do I need? ›
Two layers of cardboard works well. Wet down the cardboard as you go to keep it in place and to shape it around obstacles. Work around existing plants by ripping and folding the cardboard. It's easier to rip once wet.
Should the shiny side of the weed barrier face up or down? ›
Landscape cloth is like a thin rug. The slightly shiny side is meant to face up; the duller fuzzy side to face down, because that adheres well to the soil.
Will weeds grow under membrane? ›
It seems that holes form quite easily, and it doesn't take long for weeds to take hold where this is the case. Any weeds that do grow through the membrane are very difficult to pull out as they get tangled up and stuck in the membrane itself.
Does a weed barrier go on top of soil? ›
It's best to use landscape fabric under inorganic materials such as rock, gravel, or sand. Landscape fabrics are less effective when used under organic mulch such as wood chips or bark. As this mulch decomposes, it effectively creates a new layer of soil above the landscape fabric.
Does water go through landscape fabric? ›
Permeability - At the store, landscape fabric usually can be found in two forms: 1) a woven fabric created by weaving thin strips of plastic and 2) a spun fabric created using polyester fibers. These landscape fabrics are somewhat porous in both cases, meaning they allow water and air to move through.
On top of this you need to lay around 100mm or 4 inches thick of a biodegradable mulch such as garden compost, PAS 100 type compost or bark. The benefit of the latter two is they are weed free in the first instance.
Do you put down sand or weed barrier first? ›
If you are on sand the landscape fabric goes first, followed by 1" of coarse sand, tamp down, finishing it off with 3" of gravel or stone of your choice.
How to edge a weed membrane? ›
Overlap the edges of the fabric.
If more than one row of weed control fabric is required, overlap the pieces by at least 6 inches to prevent weeds from growing through the seams. The overlaps can be secured in place with fixing pegs or bark mulch.
Should the smooth side of weed barrier face up or down? ›
Landscape cloth is like a thin rug. The slightly shiny side is meant to face up; the duller fuzzy side to face down, because that adheres well to the soil.
Should weed membrane go above or below sub-base? ›
A weed membrane prevents the growth of weeds on your gravel driveway. This membrane should be put above the sub-base and under the gravel. It should cover the soil thoroughly. You can use bricks to edge the membrane, but this is not necessary.
Does weed membrane go before or after Type 1? ›
weed membrane always putted on top of MOT Type1 and underneath the gravel.
