What Is The Best Weed Barrier Fabric?

Weed barrier fabric can be a game-changer for keeping your garden tidy and under control. But with a variety of options on the market, how do you pick the right one? Here's 5 things you want to consider:

1. Type of fabric
2. Coverage
3. UV Resistance
4. Weight/Thickness
5. Material

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Product Considerations

Types Of Fabric

The simplest way to determine if you need a woven or a non-woven weed barrier fabric will depend on whether you need the fabric to be water permeable.

• Woven Fabric: The most common type of landscape fabric, it has traditional plastic "tarp" like feel, and features low permeability.
• Non woven Fabric: A water permeable fabric (use when drainage is needed), to identify this type of fabric it will have a felt-like look and appearance.
• Biodegradable: Best for short term applications, these types of fabric are generally made of paper, and are the most eco-friendly. They even have the added benefit of becoming compost for your soil.

Coverage

Typically 3-6 ft wide rolls are the most common sizes of landscape fabric, though landscape fabric can be sold in sizes 15+ ft. They are easy to handle, yet large enough to cover a wide area.

Need help deciding how much landscape fabric to buy? Check out our landscape fabric calculator.

Lifespan / Quality

To ensure you are getting a high quality weed barrier, here are some things to look for.

• UV Resistance: Look for fabrics with UV stabilizers added to the fabric to ensure they are able to last for your desired timeframe under heavy sunlight. Check how long each supplier claims that their fabric lasts under the sun.
• Weight / Thickness: Fabric thickness is typically measured in ounces. To ensure you are getting a heavy duty fabric (much heavier than stuff from your local hardware store), make sure your fabric is at least 3 oz/sq yard. Most hardware stores sell fabric that is 1.2 oz/sq yard or less.
• Material: Make sure your products are constructed from 100% virgin resin, this means the materials used in your fabric aren't recycled.
• Meets ASTM Standards* (if applicable): If your fabric meets ASTM standards that means it truly is a high quality fabric.

Picking the Perfect Fabric for Your Project

Here are Sandbaggy recommendations for the best fabric for specific use cases.

Always keep in mind the uses for woven vs non woven fabrics. Woven landscape fabrics are stronger but are not water permeable, while non-woven fabrics allow water to pass through.

The thicker the fabric, the more commercial grade and heavy duty it's going to be. But also look out for specs to ensure the fabric's heavy-duty performance.

Under Gravel / Rocks

Opt for an extremely thick fabric, we recommend fabrics that are more than 3 oz thick to ensure they won't tear, like our 6 oz woven landscape fabric. This fabric is so strong it comes with a 365 weed free guarantee!

Vegetable Gardens / Flower Beds

For vegetable gardens and flower beds, we recommend our 4 oz Non-Woven Geotextile. It is lightweight, easy to cut with standard scissors, and provides the perfect balance of weed suppression and air/water flow. Save our heavy-duty 8 oz Non-Woven for professional applications like retaining walls, French drains, and heavy erosion control."

Eco-Friendly

Go with a biodegradable or even a recycled landscape fabric. Biodegradable landscape fabrics are made from materials that should decompose naturally, and act as compost for your soil.

This Biodegradable Landscape Fabric is made from 100% recycled cardboard boxes and is 100% biodegradable and follows EPA guidelines for sustainable materials management, reducing the long-term plastic waste.

Most Economical

For the most general weed barrier applications, the best rule of thumb is to use a woven landscape fabric that is at least 3 oz thick and is UV protected.

For this we recommend our 3 ft landscape fabric, which starts at just $30/roll.

Pro-Tip: Managing Surface Weeds Landscape fabric is designed to stop weeds from pushing up through the soil from below. However, over time, wind can blow dirt and seeds into the mulch on top of your fabric. To keep your garden pristine, we recommend occasional spot-weeding or light maintenance to catch any surface-level growth before it takes root in the mulch layer.

Best Practices

How To Install

1. Prepare the area: Remove weeds and debris to ensure a smooth surface.
2. Lay and cut the fabric: Unroll the fabric and use a utility knife to cut it to size. Overlap the edges for better coverage.
3. Secure the fabric: Use landscape staples to hold the fabric in place and prevent windblown edges.
4. Make planting holes: Cut slits in the fabric to create planting holes for your desired plants.
5. Apply mulch: Cover the fabric with a layer of mulch for a clean and finished look, while suppressing any remaining weeds.

Where To Put It

Weed barrier fabric is best suited for areas with established plantings like flower beds, around trees and shrubs, or under gravel walkways.

When To Use It

Consider using weed barrier fabric in areas where weeds are persistent or difficult to control manually. It can also be a time-saver in large landscaping projects.

By understanding the different types of weed barrier fabric and their functionalities, you can make an informed decision for your specific gardening needs. With proper installation, weed barrier fabric can be a valuable tool to keep your garden thriving and under control.

FAQ

Is woven weed barrier waterproof?

No, this is a common misconception. While woven fabric has low permeability, it is designed to be permeable, typically allowing a flow rate of 5–10 gallons per minute. It slows water down to keep soil moist while providing structural stability for heavy gravel or stone.

Which fabric should I use for a vegetable garden?

For most backyard gardens and flower beds, we recommend our 4 oz Non-Woven Geotextile. It is lightweight, easy to cut with household scissors, and provides the best balance of weed suppression and air/water flow for delicate plants. Heavy-duty 8 oz Non-Woven is generally reserved for professional applications like retaining walls and heavy erosion control.

Can I use woven fabric for a French drain?

No, we strongly advise against this. Woven fabrics are designed for strength and separation, not high-volume filtration. If used in a French drain, the weave will eventually clog with silt, leading to system failure. Always use a high-flow non-woven geotextile for drainage projects.

What is the "Snowshoe Effect" in landscaping?

This refers to the structural benefit of using a Heavy-Duty Woven Geotextile. Much like a snowshoe keeps you from sinking into deep snow, woven fabric under a driveway distributes the weight of vehicles, preventing heavy gravel from sinking into soft subsoil.

How do I know if I'm getting a high-quality fabric?

Look for three key indicators: UV Resistance to ensure the fabric lasts under heavy sunlight, a Weight/Thickness of at least 3 oz/sq yard for heavy-duty use, and construction from 100% virgin resin rather than recycled materials.

Will landscape fabric kill the worms in my soil?

Cheap plastic barriers can suffocate soil life. However, because our Woven and Non-Woven fabrics are permeable (breathable), they allow water and oxygen to reach the soil, keeping earthworms and microbes alive. For the most worm-friendly option, choose our Biodegradable Paper.