How to Lay Weed Membrane

A Comprehensive Guide to Laying Weed Membrane for Hassle-Free Maintenance

It’s probably safe to say that weeding is one chore that most gardeners would opt out of if they could. But did you know there is a simple way to suppress weeds in gardens, paths and driveways? And it doesn’t involve reaching for harsh chemical weed killers.

 

Laying weed membrane is one of the best ways of suppressing weeds while also offering a host of other benefits too. So say goodbye to manual weeding with our handy guide to weed membrane. 

 

Got any questions? Get in touch!

Understanding Weed Membrane: Types and Benefits

When looking for a membrane to stop weeds, it’s important to understand all the different types and what they do, so you can make sure you choose the right one for the job.

Thinner weed control membranes are ideal for areas of the garden that won’t ever see a lot of foot traffic, like your garden borders or flowerbeds. The thinner the membrane is, the easier you’ll find it to cut holes in it for placing plants and flowers. 

 

If you are thinking about laying a gravel driveway or path, you will need a much thicker membrane to prevent weed growth as it will be much less likely to rip or become damaged with the increased traffic (whether that’s foot traffic or from vehicles). 

 

You may also be wondering whether to choose woven or non-woven fabric as a weed membrane. Typically, woven fabrics are stronger but due to the weaved crisscross pattern will trap water at root level making it suitable for flower beds, trees and shrubs. On the other hand, non-woven fabrics offer excellent drainage and are ideal for use beneath driveways, or for rocks and gravel.

 

At Stone Warehouse, we offer a range of versatile and long-lasting weed membranes. The Groundtex - Polypropylene Weed Membrane is strong, durable and can be used for both decorative and hard landscaping projects such as raised beds, rockeries and even pathways.

 

Alternatively, the Core Drive 30 & Geotextile Membrane is ideal for creating a long-lasting gravel driveway - preventing potholes and ruts, while also eliminating weed growth and stopping gravel movement. 

 

But the benefits of using a weed membrane don’t end there. They can also help to prevent waterlogging and stop soil erosion. And many gardeners would probably agree, they can save you hours of time pulling up weeds. 

Calculating the Right Size of Weed Membrane for Your Driveway

If you’re wondering how much driveway membrane to order, there is a simple way to work it out so that you have enough to get the job done but don’t waste money by ordering far too much. 

 

To calculate how much driveway weed membrane you need for your project, take the length and width of the driveway and multiply them to find the square footage of the space. Allow for roughly 10 - 30cm of overlap to account for uneven surfaces and overlapping edges. 

 

Use this figure to determine how many sheets of weed membrane you need, making sure to round up rather than down if needed so that the space will be fully covered. 

If you would like help on calculating how much Gravel or stones you need to go with your membrane, use our gravel calculator here

 

How to Lay Weed Membrane 

Firstly, Before laying weed membrane it’s important to level the soil and remove any existing weeds and debris. Keep an eye out especially for any sharp stones or rocks as they can pierce the weed membrane when you’re laying it. 

 

Next, cut your membrane to the right size and shape before adding holes where plants or flowers will be placed. Now, you can lay down the weed membrane making sure to overlap the joints or edges which will help to keep it stable. 

Finally, place fixing pegs around the edges of the fabric so that it holds and is secure. Cut off any excess material. 

 

Anchoring Methods to Prevent Shifting and Displacement

If you’re planning to lay a gravel path or driveway, having a strong weed membrane under gravel will not only keep it in place but also prevent it from spilling out into other parts of the garden. 

 

Another added benefit is that adding a weed liner under gravel will make your path or soil easier to walk on. 

 

Overlapping and Sealing: Ensuring Complete Weed Protection

When using more than one piece of weed membrane you run the risk of weeds returning through the joins. However, by overlapping the pieces by approximately 30 cm you’ll prevent weeds from being able to grow through the seams. 

Make sure your overlaps are secure with fixing pegs to keep everything firmly in place. 

 

Ready to lay your Weed Membrane? Shop our weed protection membrane here

 

Looking for more help? Check out our YouTube video on how to lay gravel! This informative guide also covers the installation of weed membrane.

 

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