Your landscape is a visual embodiment of your emotions, your personal tastes, and your preferences. It’s a reflection of your hard work and the time you’ve put into making it look it’s very best. Further enriching your senses with the garden is the aroma of fresh flowers, the sound of birds chirping, and the sight of butterflies fluttering around. It’s a relaxing experience that you and your family and guests will enjoy for years to come. But what you might not have considered is how all of this beauty can be ruined by poorly installed or low-quality edging. The appearance of your landscape can be marred by an unsightly border, one that creates a mess that is too hard to keep clean, or simply looks ugly. Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to edging for your landscape. From metal to wood to stone and plastic, there are tons of options to consider – metal and plastic being the most popular. Both these materials offer a variety of benefits including but not limited to durability, ability to withstand harsh weather, weed control, and ease of installation. But you have one garden, one look, so how will you decide which option is best for you? In this guide, we’re going to help you make that decision by comparing plastic and metal edging – discussing their individual benefits and features, how they can help you keep your landscape looking its best, and ultimately deciding which one is right for you.
Plastic Garden Edging vs Metal Garden Edging
For a long time, the only option when it came to edging a garden was concrete. But with time, and as more people began to appreciate the natural beauty of their gardens, an alternative began to emerge. Plastic edging began to gain popularity and for good reason. It’s not only affordable but also easy to install and maintain. But what if you need a more durable yet elegant and stylish edging for your garden? In that case, metal edging is the clear winner. It adds a sophisticated look to your garden and can withstand the rigors of the climate and environment. But you certainly can’t go wrong with either option – and that’s why we’re going to compare metal and plastic edging to see which is better and which one is better for your garden.
5 Advantages of Metal Edging
1. Metal Is More Durable
Metals boasting their intrinsic qualities are hard, strong, and last a lifetime. This is why when it comes to edging, you’ll find that metal is the material of choice for most. No doubt, it’s more expensive than plastic, but the investment will definitely pay off. The metal edging can be used for both ornamental and utilitarian purposes. The uses for ornamental edging are obvious – plant life can be contained, and the appearance of the garden can be enhanced. But metal’s utilitarian qualities are also undeniable – it can help you keep your landscape looking sharp and tidy. For example, your lawn and garden edges can be delineated with metal edging to keep grasses and weeds away from your hardscape – driveway, walkway, patio, or steps. Further, metal edging can also be used in concrete or brick patios to create a pretty transition between the interior and the outdoor space.
2. Resistance To Elements
Compared to plastic, metal is more durable and can withstand harsh elements such as sunlight, snow, ice, rain, and even prolonged exposure to direct heat from the scorching sun. This means that, as a homeowner, you can rest assured that your metal edging will be the best bang for your buck and will serve you well.
3. Weed Control
Keeping grasses and weeds away from your landscape has always been a challenge, but with metal edging, you can be sure that it’s not an issue anymore. Metal edging due to its continuous, non-hanging edges is very effective at containing grasses and weeds. Further, its hard surfaces make it easier to remove the grasses and weeds without damaging the plant life.
4. Ease Of Installation
Metal edging is fairly easy to install. In fact, any individual with basic tools and the necessary knowledge of DIY can handle this task. Moreover, compared to other edging materials such as wood and concrete, metal is relatively lightweight. Thus, you won’t have to exert too much energy in the installation process. Furthermore, most of the metal edging that you’ll find in the market are pre-fabricated and ready to use. All you have to do is attach them to your landscape and you’re good to go. This not only saves you valuable time and money but also gives you the pleasure to get involved in the process of beautifying your landscape.
5. Flexible
Metal edging comes in different types and styles, so you can get one that best suits your landscape. Further, they’re relatively flexible and can be extended or retracted as per your needs. This means that you can use them on a small as well as a large scale and are sure to get one that will perfectly suit your needs.
Disadvantage of Metal Edging
Expensive
One of the main downsides of metal edging is its exorbitant price. Yes, they are more expensive than plastic edging, but the longevity and added benefits make it a worthwhile investment. In addition, when it comes to edging, you get what you pay for – a high-quality product that will serve you well. So, if you have the money to spare, then go for it!
Advantages of Plastic Edging
1. Plastic Edging Are Cheaper
Plastic edging is quite a bargain when compared to metal edging. In fact, they are so much cheaper than you might not believe at first. Further, they can be easily found in the market, so you won’t have to go far in search of them.
2. Multiple Colors & Style
Plastic edging is available in a variety of colors and styles, which makes them highly versatile. Further, they are usually made of high-quality materials that are durable and light in weight. This means that you can choose one that will perfectly suit your landscape and not only enhance its looks but also withstand the test of time.
Disadvantage of Plastic Edging
1. Not So Durable
Despite their affordable price, plastic edging is not so durable when compared to metal edging. Though they can withstand light to moderate wear and tear, if you subject them to harsh weather or prolonged exposure to the elements, then you might end up with a broken edging.
2. Difficulty To Install
In comparison to metal edging, plastic edging is relatively more difficult to install. They need equally spaced fixtures to support them.
3. Aesthetics
Plastic edging can be slightly unattractive due to its cheap and flimsy nature. Further, they are often made of a hard plastic that lacks aesthetic value.
Conclusion
Metal edging brings beauty to your garden as it provides a sleek, clean look that’s perfect for any backyard. Its attractive appearance makes it ideal for use along walkways, paths, and around plants to keep them from being damaged and enhance the overall aesthetic of your garden. And when it comes to durability, metal edging is practically unrivaled. While plastic edging will typically break or wear down over time, metal edging will typically last for years and years. On top of that, installing metal edging is far easier than installing plastic edging. There’s just one catch.