A Guide to Choosing Garden Edging that will Last

As a nation, we take great pride in our gardens. As such, both amateur gardeners and professional landscapers will do everything they can to make their green spaces look as lush and inviting as possible, regardless of the time of year.

Garden edging is just one of the many tools we can use to organise our gardens into neat areas and sections, whether we’re simply looking for clean lines between our lawns and driveways or want to create resplendent raised beds that elevate and add character to our outdoor spaces.

We understand the frustration when garden edging that once served you well lets you down. Perhaps your wooden edging has rotted in the rain? Or are you fighting a constant battle to prevent your garden edging from collapsing, cracking or corroding?

Whatever the issue, it is possible to reap the benefits of quality garden border products without the stresses of a disappointing system. Below, we’ll compare the most popular garden edging materials, looking at their durability, maintenance needs and overall appearance to help you decide which option will last the longest in your garden.

What is garden edging?

First things first, let’s talk about what garden edging is and what it can be used for. Sometimes referred to as bordering, garden edging does exactly what it says on the tin. It creates a clean edge or border between your lawns, driveway, patio areas, flower beds and other distinct areas of your garden.

Garden border edging can be used in all kinds of ways to bring structure and definition to your outdoor space. Lawn edging and grass edging can separate turf from flower beds, gravel and pathways, preventing grass from spreading into planting areas and keeping everything neat. It can also define driveway borders, create raised beds or divide larger gardens into clearly organised zones.

What Are the Different Types of Garden Edging?

There are many types of garden edging, from timber, wooden spiked rolls and miniature picket-style fencing to log edging and metal edging typically made from aluminium or steel. Of course, plastic edging is also an option, but it can become brittle and may not offer the same durability as more robust materials, making it a poor choice when compared to alternative solutions. Here’s a brief breakdown of just some garden edging types.

Timber and Log Roll Edging

Timber is one of the more traditional types of lawn edging, offering a natural appearance that works particularly well in cottage-style and informal gardens. It’s relatively affordable, but contact with damp soil and rain can eventually cause untreated timber to rot. If you’re wondering how long log roll edging lasts, there’s no universal answer, as timber type, treatment, drainage and exposure will all have an effect on its lifespan.

Plastic Garden Edging

Plastic is a lightweight and affordable garden edging option that’s particularly popular for straightforward DIY projects. It’s easy to handle and can even be flexible enough for use in curved borders. However, some plastics can become brittle or deteriorate after prolonged exposure to changing weather conditions. It also tends to provide a less aesthetically pleasing finish than metal alternatives, particularly in more design-led gardens.

Aluminium Garden Edging

Lightweight, flexible and inherently resistant to corrosion, aluminium works well for defining lawns, pathways and curved borders. Its flexibility makes installation relatively straightforward and allows it to fit in with more intricate layouts. However, depending on its thickness, aluminium can be less substantial than heavier Corten steel edging (see below), which is worth considering when choosing the best garden edging for high-traffic areas.

Galvanised Steel Garden Edging

Galvanised steel is coated with a protective layer of zinc, helping it resist corrosion when exposed to the elements. Strong, durable and low maintenance, it provides a clean appearance that works particularly well for lawns, pathways, driveways and defined planting areas. For anyone prioritising long-lasting garden edging, galvanised steel provides a robust option suitable for a wide variety of landscaping applications.

Corten Steel Garden Edging

Corten steel edging develops its distinctive orange-brown patina naturally through exposure to the Great British weather. This layer helps protect the underlying steel from further corrosion, making Corten steel a durable, low-maintenance material with plenty of character. Corten steel can be used to create crisp straight borders or flowing curves, making it an ideal garden edging option for lawns, beds, pathways and contemporary landscaping projects.

Stone, Brick and Concrete Edging

There are also options for stone, brick and concrete lawn edging types, which all provide solid, permanent edging for garden borders and can work particularly well alongside patios, pathways and traditional landscaping. These materials are generally durable and available in numerous finishes, although installation can involve considerably more groundwork than flexible metal edging. Their weight and rigidity also mean they’re less easily adapted if you decide to change your garden layout later.

What type of edging is best for my garden?

The best lawn edging material for your garden will depend on your priorities, including appearance, durability, maintenance and the area you want to border. Timber can provide a traditional look, while plastic and aluminium offer lightweight alternatives. For a strong, long-term solution, however, we would highly recommend opting for metal edging, preferably made of steel.

Galvanised steel and Corten steel are both ideal for use as edging for gardens, providing excellent durability with very little maintenance. They can be used around lawns, paths, beds and other landscaped areas, making either material a practical choice if you want reliable edging that looks great for years to come.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CORTEN STEEL EDGING

The benefits of Corten steel garden edging

Originally referred to as COR-TEN® steel in reference to its enhanced corrosion resistance and tensile strength, Corten steel is a durable, longevous landscaping material that won’t let you down. Each piece of Corten steel edging develops its own unique colouration and patina, which varies in hue depending on the local climate conditions.

What’s more, it does so naturally, making Corten steel one of the most environmentally friendly landscaping materials available on the market. Expect to see rich reds, earthy browns, warm terracotta and other natural tones.

Comparing the lifespan of Corten steel edging to other materials

When comparing Corten steel and galvanised steel edging or other materials, in terms of longevity, it’s a must to know the earthy colouration that Corten steel develops over time is not just for aesthetics. The oxidised layer that forms on the outside will also protect it from further corrosion and damage. This means your Corten steel edging should be able to outperform all other types in terms of longevity, without requiring paint or other protective coatings.

Indeed, this visually appealing type of garden edging won’t just transform the look of your garden but will also give you the peace of mind you are looking for when it comes to creating long-term outdoor borders. This is just one of the pros of Corten steel.

How long does Corten steel edging last?

While we never make false promises about the longevity of our products, Corten steel is renowned for its exceptional durability in outdoor conditions. Indeed, recognisable landmarks like Newcastle’s Angel of the North stand tall in this durable material.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE LONGEVITY OF GARDEN EDGING MATERIALS

Tips for maintaining Corten steel edging

If you’re looking at how to extend the lifespan of metal garden edging, we’ve got the tips to help. The fully rusted look of older Corten steel is highly coveted, with many gardeners seeking to achieve that desirable russet appearance without the short six-month to one-year wait.

We even sell Corten steel edging that has already started ageing for customers that want this.

When it comes to maintenance, you’ll find very few tips on extending the life span of your Corten steel. This is because this weathering steel is one of the most low-maintenance materials on the market, and won’t require any treatments, painting or coating.

Although Corten edging fairs well in practically all types of UK weather, certain placements should be avoided:

• By the sea: Shelter your Corten steel edging from seawater spray as much as possible, as the chlorides in seawater can inhibit the development of the outer protective layer.
• Near chlorine: Likewise, chlorine can have a negative effect on Corten steel, so using this type of edging for swimming pools is not recommended.

Other than these two minor limitations, there’s very little you’ll need to do to extend the lifespan of this impressive edging material.

Who knows? Your edging might even stay at your current property longer than you do, going on to serve future generations of gardeners.

Where can I buy quality steel garden edging?

At Weather It, we specialise in producing bespoke Corten steel pieces for your garden right here at our UK-based manufacturing facility. From beautiful edging to impressive planters and stunning raised beds, we take great pride in producing all of our products, such as our Corten steel moongates, by hand.

If you’re looking for high-quality, hand-finished steel edging 3mm and steel edging 6mm, look no further than Weather It. We produce a full range of strong, yet flexible, edging products, perfect for protecting both straight lines and delicate curves. We can even make steel edging to measure for those with more specific requirements.

To find out more about our steel edging or other gardening products, email us at sales@weather-it.co.uk or call us on 0121 824 5700. We look forward to hearing from you.