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Lawn Edging Installation: How to Install Aluminum Edging | Longview Supply
Lawn Edging Installation: How to Install Aluminum Edging
How to install aluminum lawn edging for a crisp, lasting border
In This Guide
Lawn edging installation is the process of setting a border between lawn and beds: cutting a clean edge, positioning the edging to the right height, and anchoring it with stakes so it stays put. With aluminum edging the steps are straightforward, and done correctly the result is a crisp line that keeps grass out of beds and holds for years. This guide walks through the basics.
Quick answer: Lawn edging installation means cutting a clean edge, setting the edging to the right height, and staking it firmly. With aluminum edging this gives a crisp, lasting border between lawn and beds.
Permaloc aluminum lawn edging installed between turf and bed.
How to install lawn edging
- Mark the line. Lay out the border with a hose or string for curves, or a string line for straight runs.
- Cut the edge. Use a spade or edger to open a narrow, vertical trench along the line, deep enough for the edging.
- Set the edging. Place the aluminum edging in the trench so its top sits at the desired height, typically flush with or slightly above the turf so a mower wheel can ride along it.
- Stake it. Drive the stakes through the edging's stake pockets or flange into firm soil at the recommended spacing to lock it in position.
- Backfill and firm. Backfill both sides, tamp the soil, and check that the line is straight or smoothly curved.
Permaloc edging stake used to anchor lawn edging.
Installation tips
- Pick the right gauge: 1/8 inch for curves, 3/16 inch for straight runs.
- Set the height for mowing: a top edge near turf height lets you mow over it cleanly.
- Stake at proper spacing: enough stakes that the edging cannot bow or heave.
- Join sections properly: use splices, or ProSlide's interlocking connector, for continuous runs.
Why aluminum makes installation last
Aluminum edging, once staked, holds its line through freeze-thaw and mowing far better than plastic, which heaves and grows brittle. That means the work you put into installation lasts: a crisp edge that does not need to be reset each season.
Gauges, depths, and finishes
- 1/8 inch (3.2mm): more flexible, ideal for tight curves.
- 3/16 inch (4.8mm): stiffer, better for long straight runs and heavier use.
- Depths from 3 to 5.5 inches on landscape lines, up to 12 inches on CleanLine XL.
- Finishes: Mill, Black, Green, and Bronze DuraFlex, and Black Anodized.
Not sure which product fits your site? Use the Permaloc Aluminum Edging Selector, our free interactive tool under the Resources menu, to answer a few plain-language questions and get matched to the right Permaloc edging line, gauge, depth, and finish for your project.
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Shop Permaloc Aluminum Edging Use the Edging SelectorFrequently Asked Questions
How do you install lawn edging?
Mark the line, cut a narrow vertical trench along it, set the aluminum edging so its top is at the desired height, drive stakes through the stake pockets or flange into firm soil at the recommended spacing, then backfill and firm both sides.
How deep should lawn edging be installed?
Open the trench deep enough that the edging sits with its top at the desired height, typically flush with or slightly above the turf so a mower wheel can ride along it, with the body of the edging below grade and staked into firm soil.
What height should lawn edging be set at?
Set the top edge near turf height so you can mow over it cleanly. Setting it too high creates a trip and mowing obstacle, while too low lets grass creep over it.
How far apart should edging stakes go?
Stake at the manufacturer recommended spacing, close enough that the edging cannot bow between stakes or heave out of the ground over freeze-thaw cycles.
Why does aluminum lawn edging last longer once installed?
Once staked, aluminum holds its line through freeze-thaw and mowing far better than plastic, which heaves and grows brittle, so a properly installed aluminum edge does not need to be reset each season.
