Short answer
For most lawn edges, steel strip is the best all-round material: it lasts longest and draws a thin line (University of Illinois Extension). Aluminum is the lighter, rust-free alternative. Plastic is best on a tight budget. Brick and stone suit classic and natural gardens. Concrete curbing is best if you want to mow without trimming. Paver restraint is the only right choice for pavers, and no-dig suits beds with no lawn beside them.
Every material at a glance
Landscape edging materials at a glance
| Material | Material cost per ft | DIY | Curves | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic | $1 to $3.50 * | Easy | Yes | Can heave in frost and crack in cold |
| No-dig plastic | Plastic range * | Easiest | Yes | Does not stop grass roots |
| Steel | $5 to $11 (metal) * | Moderate | Yes | Sharp top edge; rusts unless coated |
| Aluminum | About $2 (Hunker) * | Moderate | Yes | Dents more easily than steel |
| Corten steel | Metal range or more * | Moderate | Yes | Early rust runoff can stain paving |
| Natural stone | $3 to $21.50 * | Hard work | Yes | Grass creeps through gaps |
| Brick | $2.50 to $6.50 * | Moderate | Gentle | Shifts without a base |
| Paver edge restraint | Varies by system * | Moderate | Yes | Needs spikes into a compacted base |
| Concrete curbing | $3 to $8 poured * | Pro job | Yes | Permanent; can crack |
| Wood | $2.50 to $7 * | Easy | Short pieces only | Rots in wet soil over time |
| Rubber | $1.50 to $4 * | Easy | Yes | Looks less natural up close |
Costs are material only per linear foot; labor adds about $1.50 to $10 per foot (LawnStarter). Full prices are in landscape edging cost.
Pros and cons of each material
Pros and cons by material
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic | Cheapest; easy to bend; DIY friendly | Hunker: can melt in heat, crack in cold, does not deter grass roots well; Illinois Extension: hard to keep in place |
| No-dig plastic | No trench; fastest install | Too shallow to stop grass; shows a lip at the surface |
| Steel | Longest lasting (Illinois Extension); thin line; holds curves | Costs more; harder to install well; can frost heave; sharp top |
| Aluminum | Light; easier to install (Illinois Extension); no rust | Dents easily (Hunker); silver can look unnatural unless coated |
| Corten steel | Rust patina suits modern and natural gardens; can stand tall | Early rust runoff can stain pale paving |
| Natural stone | Natural look; very long-lived | Heavy; grass creeps through gaps; Hunker: $12 to $18 per ft |
| Brick | Classic; works as a mow strip; reclaimed brick is cheap | Needs a sand or concrete base or it shifts |
| Paver restraint | Holds pavers properly when spiked into the base | Hidden, so it does nothing for looks; not a bed edge |
| Concrete curbing | Continuous mow strip; ends trimming | Permanent; can crack; a pro job |
| Wood | Warm, rustic; easy for straight runs; Hunker: treated wood can last a decade or more | Rots in constantly damp soil; avoid old creosote ties |
| Rubber | Flexible; easy to lay; recycled content | Looks less natural up close |
Sources: University of Illinois Extension, Hunker and, for Corten, Straightcurve via ArchiPro (supplier guidance).
Which material for which job
-
01Best overall
Steel strip
Best for: lawn edges, curving beds and gravel paths where you want it to last
- Cost
- $5 to $11 per ft (metal)
- DIY
- Moderate
- Stops grass
- Yes, when buried
- Illinois Extension: lasts longest
- Thinnest visible line
- Guide: metal edging
-
02Best on a budget
Plastic coil
Best for: long edges on a small budget and quick DIY
- Cost
- $1 to $3.50 per ft
- DIY
- Easy
- Stops grass
- Partly
- Round-top styles hold up better than flat
- Stake often to limit frost heave
- Guide: plastic edging
-
03Best light metal
Aluminum strip
Best for: DIY metal edges, coastal and wet yards
- Cost
- About $2 per ft (Hunker)
- DIY
- Moderate
- Rust
- Does not rust
- Easier to handle than steel
- Dents more easily
- Guide: aluminum edging
-
04Least trimming
Concrete curbing
Best for: lawns where you want to mow right to the edge
- Cost
- $3 to $8 per ft poured
- DIY
- Pro job
- Stops grass
- Yes
- Continuous mow strip
- Permanent once poured
- Guide: concrete curbing
-
05Best classic look
Brick or stone
Best for: cottage, traditional and natural gardens
- Cost
- $2.50 to $21.50 per ft
- DIY
- Hard work
- Base
- Sand or concrete
-
06Fastest install
No-dig edging
Best for: beds next to patios, fences and walls
- Cost
- Plastic range
- DIY
- Easiest
- Stops grass
- No
- Spikes at the surface, no trench
- Holds mulch, not roots
- Guide: no-dig edging
Costs in these cards come from LawnStarter, Lawn Love and Hunker.
Quick picks by situation
- Grass keeps invading the bed: buried steel or aluminum, or a concrete curb. See lawn edging.
- Flower bed with mulch: steel, plastic or brick. See flower bed edging.
- Gravel or rock: rigid metal, timber or stone. See edging for gravel and mulch.
- Paver patio or path: a paver edge restraint. ICPI says bed edging is not an acceptable paver restraint. See paver edging.
- Cold climate: anchor well. Illinois Extension notes steel can frost heave and that lipped or grooved plastic with steel stakes resists it.
- Raised bed or slope: timbers, tall Corten or stacked stone. See wood edging and Corten edging.
Still undecided? The edging picker suggests a material from four questions, and landscape edging ideas shows how each one looks in a garden.
Tools for most materials
Install steps for every type are in how to install landscape edging.
Questions people ask
What is the most durable landscape edging?
University of Illinois Extension calls steel the longest-lasting edging, while noting it is relatively expensive and harder to install well. Poured concrete curbing and well-set stone are also long-lived. Plastic has the poorest durability of the common types.
What is the best edging to keep grass out?
An edge buried deep enough to block runners: steel or aluminum strip with only about 1/2 to 1 inch showing, or a concrete curb. Loose stone, brick without a base and no-dig edging let grass through.
Metal or plastic edging?
Metal costs more but holds a straighter line, resists mower damage and lasts longer. Plastic is cheaper and easier to bend, but Hunker notes it can melt in heat, crack in cold and does not deter grass roots well. For a long, visible lawn edge, metal is usually worth it.
What edging looks most natural?
Natural stone, timber and a plain spade-cut edge look most natural. Weathering steel also blends well in gravel and grass gardens once it rusts. Rubber edging made to look like mulch or brick looks less natural up close.
What is the best edging for a DIY beginner?
No-dig and plastic coil edging are the easiest, followed by aluminum and light steel strip. Brick and stone take more work because they need a base, and poured concrete curbing is a pro job.
Sources
- LawnStarter, How much does landscape edging cost? (updated December 27, 2025)
- Hunker, The best types of landscape edging
- ICPI, Tech Spec 3: Edge restraints for interlocking concrete pavements
- Lawn Love, How much does landscape curbing cost? (updated October 2026)
- University of Illinois Extension, Bed edges (Rhonda Ferree, 2015)
- ArchiPro, Common questions about weathering steel (Corten) garden edging (Straightcurve)
- Call 811, Know what is below (national call-before-you-dig line)
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Products, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, call 811 before you dig, and follow the maker’s instructions.