ᐅ Renovation of a Terrace with Edging and Issue of Rhizome Barriers

Created on: 9 Feb 2024 16:08
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MHaiz23
Hello everyone,

I am planning to renovate my old terrace by replacing the old patio slabs with new ones and edging the terrace with curbstones (currently, there are no curbstones). However, I am facing two challenges where I would greatly appreciate your advice and experience:

  • Issue with bamboo and rhizome barrier: Right next to the existing terrace, I have planted bamboo that is contained by a rhizome barrier (see attached photo). My concern is that when dismantling the old terrace, the bamboo together with the rhizome barrier might shift towards the terrace. Additionally, I see a problem supporting the new curbstones with a concrete collar because the bamboo’s rhizome barrier is located directly beside it. How should one proceed in such a case? What techniques or tools do you recommend to ensure stability and keep the bamboo under control?
  • Different heights of old and new patio slabs: The old patio slabs are 8 cm (3 inches) high, while the new slabs are only 6 cm (2.4 inches) high. Assuming the base of the old terrace is still in good condition, would it be possible to simply add 2 cm (0.8 inches) of sharp sand or aggregate, level it, and then lay and compact the new slabs on top? Are there any risks that the new terrace might not be stable or level?
I would be very grateful for any tips, techniques, or experiences you could share with me. How do you best approach projects like this, and are there any special considerations or materials I should keep in mind?

Thank you in advance for your support!
Paved terrace with stone slabs; bamboo hedges on left and right, wet lawn in the background.
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motorradsilke
11 Feb 2024 16:10
One more thing I just thought of. Our root barrier is buried about 60 cm deep (24 inches). You don’t actually need to dig that deep for the edging stones. This means the lower part of the root barrier stays buried and isn’t exposed. If your barrier is installed that deep and you’re using standard edging stones, the barrier can’t slip at the top as long as it’s firmly fixed at the bottom. At least ours would be too rigid to move like that.
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MHaiz23
11 Feb 2024 16:28
Yes, that's a good point. The rhizome barrier is 70cm (28 inches) deep, and the edging stones are 25cm (10 inches) high. So, I will dig about 40cm (16 inches) deep. However, I think I will still drive in three metal rods each time to be on the safe side.