Weed Control Membrane – 100gsm Heavy-Duty Weed Suppressant Membrane with Pegs, Weed Proof Garden Membrane for Borders & Gravel

How much membrane and how many pegs will I need?
Measure the area you want to cover and add an allowance for overlapping each strip by around 100 to 150mm at the seams, plus a little up any edges. As a rough guide, a 2m x 10m roll covers about 20 square metres before overlaps. For fixing, allow roughly one peg or pin every 0.5 to 1 metre along the edges and down each overlap seam, with a few across open areas to stop the fabric lifting. A typical 20 square metre area needs in the region of 30 to 50 pegs depending on exposure and how windy the site is. Order the next roll size up if your area falls between sizes, as it is easier to trim off than to seam two pieces. If you are laying under playground chippings or gravel, the weight of the topping helps hold the fabric, so you can lean towards the lower end of the peg count.

Should I use pegs or pins, and what is the difference?
Both hold the membrane down; the choice comes down to your ground and budget. Steel ground pins are U-shaped staples that are quick to knock in and grip well in firm soil, and are the cheaper option for larger areas. Pegs have a wider head that holds better in loose, sandy or stony ground where a thin pin can pull through, and the head stops the fabric tearing at the fixing point. For most garden borders and paths a fixing every 0.5 to 1 metre is enough. On exposed or windy sites, or where the fabric is left uncovered for a while before topping, use pegs and space them closer. If the membrane is going straight under chippings or gravel, the topping does most of the holding, so pins are usually fine. Buy a pack size that matches your spacing and area.

What is the membrane made from and does it let water through?
This is a heavy-duty 100gsm woven polypropylene weed control fabric. The woven structure lets water, air and nutrients pass through to the soil while blocking sunlight, which is what stops weeds growing underneath. It will not pond or block drainage when laid the right way up. At 100gsm it is a heavier, more hard-wearing grade than the thin 50gsm fabrics sold for short-term use, so it stands up to foot traffic, gravel and chippings without tearing easily. The fabric is UV stabilised so it tolerates sunlight, but like all weed membranes it lasts far longer when covered with mulch, gravel, bark or chippings rather than left fully exposed. Laid under a topping it will typically last many years; left bare in full sun it will degrade faster.

Can I lay this under playground chippings, gravel or bark?
Yes, that is one of the main uses. Laid under rubber playground chippings, decorative gravel, slate or bark, the membrane stops weeds pushing up through the topping while still letting rain drain away into the soil. Clear and level the ground first, remove existing weeds, then roll out the fabric, overlapping strips by 100 to 150mm and pinning down the edges and seams. Spread your chippings or gravel over the top to the depth you want. The topping protects the fabric from sunlight and holds it in place, which is why a membrane and topping together last so much longer than either on its own. For play areas, the membrane also keeps the rubber chippings separate from the soil so they stay cleaner and are easier to top up later. You can order the topping at the same time from our playground rubber chippings range, then match your membrane to the area you are covering.

How are the membrane and fixings delivered?
Weed membrane, pegs and pins are light enough to go by courier rather than on a pallet, so they are sent on a 3 to 5 working day service to mainland UK. Rolls are sent rolled and the fixings boxed or bagged. If you order membrane together with playground chippings, the chippings travel separately on their own heavier pallet service and may arrive on a different day, so do not worry if the two parts of your order are not delivered at the same time. Delivery is to mainland UK; for offshore, the Scottish Highlands or other restricted postcodes, contact us before ordering so we can confirm whether we can deliver and any extra cost. Check your delivery on arrival and let us know quickly if anything is missing or damaged.