There are several different types of edging available. The four main types include spade-cut, strip edging, masonry and wood edging. Look around your yard and choose a material that aesthetically matches the design and style of your outdoor space. Each edging material has advantages and some varieties are better suited to certain climates.
For the simplest type of border, choose spade-cut edging. Spade-cut edging involves digging a narrow trench around the outside of the bed you are setting part and is the least expensive type of edging available. Use a flat spade with a straight cutting edge to get the job done.
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Strip edging consists of a shallow barrier that is anchored beneath the ground. The very top part of the edging is visible to subtly set the bed and lawn apart. Strip edging works best for creating curves and comes in plastic and metal varieties. Plastic is less expensive and easier to install. Metal edging comes in steel or aluminum and lasts longer but is less pliable.
Masonry edging, composed of stone, brick or concrete, is the most expensive type. Stone is very attractive and allows you to match borders to any existing stonework you have used in the landscaping, garden or exterior of your home. Cement borders often come in preformed sections of different shapes and styles, allowing for easier installation.
Wood edging comes in precut sections of alternating heights, either as round logs or flat boards. All types of wood edging are durable and most are affordable. The types of wood most often used include cedar, cypress and redwood, which resist rot naturally when lying next to soil. Pressure-treated wood is resistant to moisture and a good value for larger projects.
Installation Tips on
For tips on how to install the various types of edging that are available, consult the chart below.
Edging Type | Installation Tips |
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Masonry: Brick |
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Masonry: Stone |
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Spade-Cut |
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Strip: Metal |
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Strip: Plastic |
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Wood: Boards |
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Wood: Landscape Timbers |
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Edging Features
A wide variety of features are available when selecting the type of materials you want to use.
Landscape timbers and railroad ties are large, durable and relatively inexpensive. You can use them individually to outline straight beds or pile them on top of each other.
Some types of pavers interlock so they are easy to use. Although the interlocking pavers are more expensive, they can be used to quickly create borders or raised beds without needing mortar. Pavers are typically 12-inches long and 4-inches wide.
Polyethylene edging has a round head on top and a series of grooves on the bottom to keep it anchored. Plastic edging is sold in 5- to 6-inches widths in 20- to 60-foot lengths. Some types contain UV inhibitors to resist fading and cracking in the sun.
Short, round cedar logs provide an informal look and can be set on end at equal or varied heights. You can also buy whole sections of these short logs strung together in one piece with plastic backing that you can simply push into the ground and secure with stakes.
Bender board is milled from redwood or made from composite materials, about
¼-inch thick, which allows the board to bend easily conforming to tight curves and angles.
Steel edging is sold in 5- to 6-inch widths, in 10- to 20-foot lengths and in different gauges. Steel is flexible but not as bendable as plastic and is more expensive.