Metal demarcation
Metal demarcation
Choose a beautiful metal or rust edging, the perfect finishing touch to your garden!
Metal edging instantly gives your garden a neat and sleek look. Whether you want to create a clean line between the lawn and the flower border, or keep your gravel path neatly in place, metal edging offers a durable, stylish solution. It is maintenance-free, weather-resistant and surprisingly easy to install yourself. At Hermie, you’ll find a lovely range of rugged, rust-coloured Corten steel edging. Discover which edging best suits your garden project and create the perfect finish today.
How do you choose the right metal edging?
When choosing the right border edging, there are a few practical considerations to bear in mind. Take the following features into account to find the perfect match for your garden:
- Shape of the border (straight or organic): Do you want a clean, straight line, or do you want to create a circle around a tree or a winding garden path? It doesn’t really matter. You can bend Corten steel edging yourself to create the right shape. Of course, bending the edging takes a bit more effort than installing it in a straight line.
- Height of the edging: Edging usually varies between 10 and 20 cm in height. The rule of thumb is that about two-thirds of the edging should be buried in the ground for stability. Do you need to compensate for a significant difference in ground level in your garden? If so, always choose the tallest option (e.g. 20 cm or more).
- Safety (for children and pets): Do you have children playing or pets? Then pay attention to the top edge of the metal. Opt for a ‘rolled’ or ‘flattened’ edge. This is nicely rounded at the top, meaning there are no sharp edges that could cause injury.
- Fixing system: Many systems simply click or slide together. For extra stability with longer sections or on soft ground, we recommend systems that use matching pegs or ground stakes.
Different materials: Corten steel vs. galvanised steel
The material determines not only the lifespan, but above all the atmosphere in your garden.
- Corten steel (rust-coloured): Corten steel is incredibly popular in both modern and country-style gardens. On delivery, this metal often still looks like ‘ordinary’ steel, but after a few weeks outdoors, a dense, orange-brown layer of rust forms. This rust layer halts the rusting process, making Corten steel virtually indestructible. It creates a beautiful, warm and natural transition to your plants or lawn.
- Galvanised steel (Silver/Black): Are you looking for a more industrial, modern or, conversely, understated finish? Galvanised steel is treated to prevent rust and retains its silvery sheen. These edging strips are often also available with a black powder coating, which contrasts beautifully with green grass or light-coloured gravel.
Uses in your garden
Metal edging is highly versatile:
- Lawn edging: Prevent grass from growing into your flowerbeds. You can easily mow right alongside it – or even partly over it – if you bury it deep enough.
- Gravel and chippings: Keep stones neatly on the path and prevent them from ending up in the grass or flower beds.
- Vegetable patches: Easily create raised vegetable beds by linking wide metal edging together.
FAQ
- How do I install a metal edging myself?
Installation is simple. Use a lawn edger or spade to dig a trench in the desired location. Place the metal edging in the trench (ensuring that approximately two-thirds is buried). Tap the edging gently with a rubber mallet to level it and secure it firmly in the ground. Slide or click the next sections into place and backfill the trench with soil. - How quickly does a Corten steel edging develop its rust colour?
This depends on the weather. With alternating rain and dry weather, the rust layer usually forms within 2 to 6 weeks. Want to speed up this process? Then you can mist the edging daily using a simple garden sprayer filled with water and a dash of salt or vinegar. - Is a metal edging safe for lawnmowers?
Yes, absolutely. If you bury the edging flush with, or just below, the level of the lawn, you can mow over it with your lawnmower or grass trimmer without any problems. This saves a lot of manual trimming! - Can I easily bend metal to create curved borders?
Yes, provided you choose a flexible edging (often 1 to 1.5 mm thick). You can easily bend this by hand around a tree or into an organic, undulating line. For straight lines, however, you should choose stiffer, thicker profiles. - Do I need ground pegs for installation?
That depends on the soil and the height of the edging. With firm clay soil and a low edging, simply burying it in the ground is often sufficient. With sandy, loose soil or when compensating for a significant difference in height, we definitely recommend using matching metal ground pegs for extra anchoring.