Pros & Cons of Concrete Edging

Pro: Durability

• Concrete is a good material for edging because of its durability. A well-constructed edge installed today can last for decades and look good all the while. While wood edging decays, and plastic edging can become brittle after a few seasons, concrete can stand up to whatever you throw at it.

Pro: Appearance

• Concrete edging is an attractive option for almost any border, whether it is between a garden and lawn or driveway and grass. Concrete edging comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, making it suitable for virtually any application and a tenable option for any taste or color palette.

Con: Maintenance

• While not an issue specific to concrete edging, if you want to install an edge wall, you should realize that you are effectively creating an area the length of the edge that is out of reach of your lawn mower. Each time the grass around your edge is mowed, the concrete edging will keep your mower from cutting the grass closest to the edge, which means you will have to either manually trim the grass or use an electric or gas trimmer to keep the edge looking clean.

Con: Installation

• Installing a concrete edge requires digging a trench the length of the edge and setting each stone individually, which takes considerable time and requires some knowledge of stone laying. As such, installing a concrete edge may not be a suitable job for a weekend do-it-yourselfer, and you may want to call in the pros.

Con: Expense

• While concrete edging is much more durable than its wooden or plastic counterparts, it is also significantly more expensive. Most decorative edge blocks cost between $1 and $4 per stone, as of July 2011, which can add up if you are installing a lot of edging, such as between a driveway and lawn or encircling a large garden.