4x1 Timber lengths, are there any non timber alternatives? Mowing strip reasons

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Technofreak

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#2203098 21-Mar-2019 21:55

The boxing idea is probably the best though also the most work. You should use reinforcing as well other wise the curbing will likely break up over time unless it's on a good foundation.

I'd consider using the timber attached to wooden stakes driven into the ground and screw or nail the 4 X 1 to the stakes to keep the 4 X 1 in shape. If you were to go down the boxing route you would need to be doing something similar but instead of just one side you'd need to do two sides for the boxing.

Nails driven into the soil as you were thinking of will be futile. The soil won't hold the nails in place for long.

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Tracer

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#2203291 22-Mar-2019 11:42

Technofreak:

I'd consider using the timber attached to wooden stakes driven into the ground and screw or nail the 4 X 1 to the stakes to keep the 4 X 1 in shape. If you were to go down the boxing route you would need to be doing something similar but instead of just one side you'd need to do two sides for the boxing.

That's exactly what I've done at my (rented) place.

neb

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#2203366 22-Mar-2019 13:42

Ge0rge: Galvanised steel perhaps?

Galvanised is eventually going to rust if it's in contact with the ground, no matter how galvanised it is. In this case in particular if you're running a mower over it you're going to get non-galvanised areas pretty quickly.

Unfortunately this just screams "concrete strip", that's the exact solution you want, and everything else will be just a poor approximation to it.

Ge0rge

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#2203369 22-Mar-2019 13:45

neb:
Ge0rge: Galvanised steel perhaps?

Galvanised is eventually going to rust if it's in contact with the ground, no matter how galvanised it is. In this case in particular if you're running a mower over it you're going to get non-galvanised areas pretty quickly.

Unfortunately this just screams "concrete strip", that's the exact solution you want, and everything else will be just a poor approximation to it.

Agreed - just looking to find another option other than the best one - concrete. Corten would have a nice rustic look to it for many years to come though!

neb

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#2203378 22-Mar-2019 13:58

Ge0rge: Corten would have a nice rustic look to it for many years to come though!

Possibly not. Corten steel relies on the thin layer of rust to protect it, you mentioned there are areas where it's quite wet, in which case it may not stabilise and will never stop rusting.

The problem is the combination of (wet) ground contact and the fact that you'll be running a mower over it, that makes it really difficult to go past concrete, you've got dry, dampness, and physical abrasion (mower wheels and/or blade), which rules out most standard solutions.

You could always use this corten mowing strip I guess...

huckster

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#2203470 22-Mar-2019 17:05

neb:
Ge0rge: Corten would have a nice rustic look to it for many years to come though!
Possibly not. Corten steel relies on the thin layer of rust to protect it, you mentioned there are areas where it's quite wet, in which case it may not stabilise and will never stop rusting. The problem is the combination of (wet) ground contact and the fact that you'll be running a mower over it, that makes it really difficult to go past concrete, you've got dry, dampness, and physical abrasion (mower wheels and/or blade), which rules out most standard solutions. You could always use this corten mowing strip I guess...

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Kickinbac

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#2204322 24-Mar-2019 15:32

What about good old 150x50 H4 retaining timber secured by pegs? Will survive fro many years in the ground.
Secure with timber or galvanised pegs. Easy to work with. Hard to go radius around corners though.

Search: ‘Surewall Sleeper Stake Galvanised 450mm’ on Mitre 10 website.
Still timber though :-(
Have seen corten edging used. The landscaper was hammering in rebar pegs then welding the corten to these to hold in place.

tdgeek

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#2206627 28-Mar-2019 20:27

Kickinbac: What about good old 150x50 H4 retaining timber secured by pegs? Will survive fro many years in the ground.
Secure with timber or galvanised pegs. Easy to work with. Hard to go radius around corners though.

Search: ‘Surewall Sleeper Stake Galvanised 450mm’ on Mitre 10 website.
Still timber though :-(
Have seen corten edging used. The landscaper was hammering in rebar pegs then welding the corten to these to hold in place.

Not sure 6 x 2 will bend enough, but Im close to a timber yard, so I can check there and test some lengths.

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