The demand for more long-lasting and sustainable solutions in design methods is something that the landscape architecture sector must address due to its familiarity and convenience of usage, concrete has been the preferred material for edging for many years.
But experts need to understand concrete’s limits as environmental concerns and the need for creative design develop.
With several benefits over conventional materials, metal edging is becoming a more attractive solution. This change in landscape design is about more than simply looks; it’s also about increasing sustainability, minimising upkeep, and effectiveness.
Eco-friendly practices are becoming more and more important to customers and communities, thus the industry needs to change and embrace products that share these values. These are the top five factors to consider while choosing metal edging for your upcoming project:
Edging application: Pedestrian vs. Vehicle traffic
The first and arguably most important consideration when specifying metal edging is the intended use. The type of traffic in a region has a considerable influence on the edging material and design choices.
Pedestrian areas
For locations typically utilised by pedestrians, such as garden walkways or residential landscapes, lighter-gauge metal edging may be sufficient. Such regions typically do not require the same level of durability as high-traffic areas, allowing for more design and material choices.
Vehicle traffic areas
Stronger solutions are required in areas with heavy vehicle traffic, such as parking lots or driveways. The edging in these areas must withstand not just vehicle weight, but also potential impacts from tires or snow removal equipment.
Heavier gauge metals or reinforced designs are required to provide long-term durability and landscape integrity.
Edging strength and stability
The strength of the edging is critical for keeping clean lines and withstanding pressure from adjacent materials. The evaluation extends beyond the thickness of the metal to include many critical factors:
Height difference
When there is a height difference between surfaces, the edging must be robust enough to resist the weight of the material behind it. This is especially crucial in retaining wall applications or where there is a considerable gradient shift.
Return design
Taller edging with a return at the bottom gives superior stability and straighter lines for retaining soil or making raised beds than flat pieces of metal.
This architectural element anchors the edging in the soil and prevents moving over time, resulting in a sharp, clean edge. The strength should be sufficient to sustain lateral forces without bending or moving over time.
Burial depth
To ensure excellent stability, bury at least one-third of the edging. This depth offers sufficient support to withstand frost heave or soil expansion and contraction.
As the building sector adopts more environmentally friendly practices, the sustainability of edge materials is ever more crucial. Metal edging offers several benefits over concrete in this aspect.
Metal edging requires less material than concrete, lowering the project’s environmental impact.
Metal edging may be recycled at the end of its existence, helping to promote a circular economy and reduce waste. Both aluminium and steel are completely recyclable at the end of their lives.
Metal edging has a lower carbon footprint than concrete, making it an environmentally friendly option.
Edging material types
The material chosen for edging has a significant influence on performance, durability, and appearance:
Aluminium edging is lightweight, simple to handle, resistant to corrosion, and flexible compared to steel, making it ideal for curved designs.
Steel edging has exceptional strength and endurance, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications. It comes in a variety of finishes, including galvanised and Corten steel, and resists bending under pressure from car tires. It also has a slow rate of corrosion, especially when protected.
Contractors frequently choose concrete edging. It can be cast in-place or precast. However, it is heavier and less adaptable than metal alternatives. It may break over time and has a larger carbon footprint during manufacturing and shipping. Furthermore, it is less adaptive to landscape changes once installed.
Edging aesthetic considerations
The visual significance of edging should not be underestimated because it may have a considerable impact on the overall design of a landscape. Metal edging has several aesthetic advantages:
Metal edging complements a variety of landscape styles, including minimalist modern and historic gardens.
Flexible metal edging enables for more imaginative and organic designs than concrete edging, making landscape components the centre point.
Kinley’s top edging tips
As the landscape industry evolves, there’s a growing need to embrace more sustainable and durable solutions. Stuart Bowie, founder of Kinley, emphasises this shift:
“The industry needs to move towards metal edging as we’ve proven it’s not only robust but also highly sustainable. Our experience shows that metal edging offers superior longevity and performance compared to traditional materials.”
Kinley’s Bison kerb system exemplifies this forward-thinking approach. This innovative product has undergone rigorous strength tests and is BBA approved, demonstrating its durability and reliability in various landscape applications. The Bison system offers a sustainable alternative to concrete edging, with a significantly lower carbon footprint and the ability to be recycled at the end of its life cycle.
Bowie adds, “Products like our Bison kerb system showcase how metal edging can meet and exceed the performance of concrete while offering environmental benefits. It’s faster to install, requires less material, and provides more value in the ground over time.”
By choosing metal edging solutions like Bison, landscape professionals can contribute to more sustainable practices while ensuring long-lasting, visually appealing results in their projects.
Embracing sustainable edging solutions
Experts could tackle the critical problems we previously discussed, like application compatibility, strength and stability, sustainability, material quality, and aesthetics, by incorporating metal edging solutions into landscape designs.
This illustrates how switching to metal edging involves more than just a simple material change—it also entails implementing comprehensive, innovative design solutions that satisfy the growing demands of contemporary landscape architecture.
For further information on metal edging solutions, contact Kinley.
