Most homeowners are surprised to learn that a typical decorative concrete border installation takes just one day from start to finish. If you’re considering concrete curbing for your landscape beds, understanding the timeline helps you plan around your schedule and know what to expect during the project.
How Long Does Concrete Curbing Installation Actually Take?
For an average residential property, AE Landscape Borders completes most installations in a single day. This includes properties with standard landscape beds around flower gardens, trees, or mulched areas. The crew arrives in the morning, preps the site, pours and shapes the concrete edging, and finishes before evening.
Larger properties or more complex layouts may extend into a second day. Homes with extensive gardens, multiple islands, or intricate patterns around trees and features might require the additional time. Even with these larger projects, the installation rarely exceeds two days.
The actual pour and shaping process moves efficiently because decorative concrete edging is installed continuously along your desired path. Unlike installing individual pavers or sections of plastic edging, the concrete flows as one seamless border that conforms to curves and contours naturally.
What Affects How Long Installation Takes?
Several factors influence the timeline for your specific project. Property size matters most—a small front yard bed takes considerably less time than edging that wraps around an entire backyard.
The complexity of your landscape layout also plays a role. Straight runs install faster than curved designs with multiple angles. Properties with obstacles like sprinkler systems, underground wires, or established tree roots require careful work that adds time but ensures a quality result.
Choosing the right border pattern also depends on your garden layout, and some decorative patterns require additional attention to detail during installation. AE Landscape Borders offers patterns like Missouri Flagstone and Fractured Rock that add visual interest without significantly extending the installation time.
What Happens During the Installation Day?
The installation crew starts by marking and preparing the area where the concrete curbing will go. This includes setting up forms and ensuring proper elevation for water drainage.
Next comes the pour itself—fresh concrete is placed along the marked path and shaped using specialized equipment. The team adds your selected pattern and color during this stage. AE Landscape Borders offers multiple color options from Smokey Quartz to Charcoal, all applied during the initial pour.
After shaping and texturing, the crew applies a protective sealer. You can typically walk near the edging within hours, though the concrete needs time to fully cure.
How Long Before the Concrete Fully Cures?
While installation completes in one or two days, the concrete continues curing for up to 28 days. During the first week, avoid placing heavy objects against the edging or driving equipment over it.
You can resume normal lawn care and light gardening activities within a few days. The concrete gains strength progressively, reaching full durability after the complete cure period. This curing process contributes to why professional concrete edging outlasts plastic or metal alternatives that homeowners frequently replace every few years.
AE Landscape Borders provides specific care instructions after installation to ensure your decorative concrete edging achieves maximum longevity. Their lifetime warranty on the curbing backs up the durability that proper curing delivers.
FAQ About Installation Timeline
Can installation happen in winter?
AE Landscape Borders installs decorative concrete borders from March through November, weather dependent. Concrete requires appropriate temperatures to cure properly, so winter installations aren’t recommended in their Midwest and Southeast service areas.
Do I need to be home during installation?
You don’t need to be present for the entire installation, though many homeowners appreciate being available at the start to confirm the layout and at the end to review the finished work. The crew works efficiently and doesn’t require homeowner involvement during the process.
How soon can I mulch after installation?
You can add mulch or plantings within a few days of installation once the concrete has set sufficiently. The crew will provide specific timing based on weather conditions during your install. Some homeowners also add rubber mulch, which AE Landscape Borders offers with the same lifetime warranty as their concrete curbing.
Ready to enhance your landscape with durable concrete edging? Contact AE Landscape Borders for a free onsite estimate. Their team will assess your property, discuss timeline expectations for your specific project, and provide pricing for your custom installation across their service areas spanning from Illinois to North Carolina.
