Exterior Commercial Projects: Best Edging For Landscaping
Selecting the best landscape edging is crucial for creating long-lasting professional landscapes in commercial settings. The right landscape edging enhances the outdoor space’s visual appeal and provides functional benefits such as containment, easy maintenance and durability.
Understanding the top edging options, such as steel, aluminum or concrete, can help you feel confident about choosing the right materials for your next commercial landscaping project.
The Role of Landscape Edges in Outdoor Designs
Landscape edging is a key element in outdoor design. It serves as a visual boundary separating different landscape elements, such as lawns, garden beds, paths or patios. By clearly defining these areas, edging helps create a more organized and cohesive look and establishes structure within the landscape.
In addition to its visual impact, edging helps maintain the health and longevity of outdoor spaces. It helps contain soil, mulch and gravel, keeping these materials from spilling into unwanted areas and safeguarding landscapes against the mess and damage caused by erosion and runoff.
Edging also prevents grass and weeds from invading flower beds, reducing maintenance and ensuring plants remain protected and intact.
The Role of Edging in Commercial Landscaping
The presentation of the landscape in commercial settings, such as business complexes, office parks, retail spaces and public spaces, can significantly impact the overall impression of the space.
Landscape edging provides functional containment, which is essential in high-traffic commercial zones as materials can quickly be displaced by heavy foot traffic, vehicles or extreme weather conditions. Edging serves as a protective barrier, reducing the need for constant upkeep, which can increase labor costs over time.
Landscape edging also serves practical purposes, including:
- Erosion Control: On sloped properties or areas with heavy rain, edging prevents soil erosion and maintains the integrity of hardscapes or plant beds.
- Safety: In high-use areas like walkways or parking lots, it gives clear boundaries to guide foot traffic and prevent damage to the landscape or injury to pedestrians.
Considerations for Commercial Landscape Edging
Several factors should be considered when selecting the best landscape edging for commercial projects, including its longevity, maintenance requirements, aesthetic appeal, environmental factors, cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
Durability & Longevity
The material must be able to withstand heavy use, adverse weather and impact from maintenance equipment or foot traffic. Materials such as metal, concrete and high-quality composite edging meet this requirement. They are more resistant to wear and tear compared to alternatives like plastic or wood.
Maintenance
Low maintenance is critical for commercial projects, where labor and upkeep costs can add up quickly.
Edging materials that are resistant to cracking, fading and damage from lawn care equipment are vital and will reduce the need for constant repairs or replacements. Options like aluminum or steel are highly durable and require minimal maintenance.
Aesthetics
While functionality is important, the visual appearance of edging should not be overlooked. Depending on the overall style of the commercial space, choosing the right material can complement the design. Concrete or brick can create a more formal look while aluminum or steel may suit a more modern or minimalist design.
Environmental Factors
Your local climate should significantly influence your decision regarding the best edging material. In regions with extreme temperature fluctuations or heavy rainfall, you’ll want a material resistant to rust, corrosion and warping, such as galvanized steel or aluminum.
Cost-Effectiveness
Cost is always a key consideration for commercial projects. While high-quality materials like metal and concrete may have a higher upfront cost, their longevity and low maintenance requirements make them more cost-effective in the long run.
Materials that need frequent repairs or replacements, like plastic, may seem more affordable initially, but they could result in higher overall costs.
Sustainability
Today’s world is highly environmentally conscious, making sustainability important in landscape design.
Look for materials that are recyclable, eco-friendly and made from sustainable sources. Products made from recycled aluminum provide durability and environmental benefits, even contributing to LEED certification for the project.
Edging Solutions Based on Your Unique Needs
Below are some examples of edging solutions based on your unique project needs, from sustainability to innovative designs for commercial rooftop gardens.
Sustainable Edging Solutions for Commercial Spaces
Sustainable edging solutions will use environmentally friendly materials paired with designs that contribute to the property’s overall sustainability.
Look for recycled materials, such as recycled plastic made from post-consumer plastic waste or recycled aluminum. You can also use corten steel. While it isn’t inherently “natural,” its long lifespan makes it a sustainable choice.
Recycled metal materials are often lightweight and durable, can be designed to resist corrosion and weather damage and can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle.
High-Traffic Edging Solutions for Commercial Properties
High-traffic edging solutions need to be durable and provide functional boundaries between different elements. The best landscape edging materials for high-traffic areas include:
- Concrete: Concrete is one of the most durable edging materials for high-traffic areas. It is resistant to weathering and wear and tear.
- Metal: Metal edging is highly durable, flexible and rust-resistant. Corten steel forms a protective patina that resists corrosion while aluminum is lightweight and can be bent to fit curved designs.
- Rubber: Rubber edging is flexible and impact-resistant. It’s often used for playgrounds, outdoor fitness areas and garden beds. Its soft edge prevents damage to landscaping.
- Stone: Natural stone is resistant to weathering, damage and foot traffic, making it perfect for walkways and plazas.
- Brick: Brick or paver edging is a time-tested edging material for high-traffic areas. When installed properly, it can resist shifting or cracking even under constant use.
Innovative Edging Designs for Commercial Rooftop Gardens
Solutions for rooftop gardens, or green roofs, should focus on sustainability, durability and visual appeal. Two such solutions include:
- Recycled Aluminum: One creative option is recycled aluminum. It is lightweight yet durable, making it easy to install on a rooftop garden. It is also resistant to rust and corrosion, giving building owners peace of mind.
- Corten Steel: Corten steel develops a rusted patina over time, creating a weather-resistant solution perfect for high-exposure rooftop gardens.
For the super creative landscape designer, pre-planted modular panels serve as both edging and living walls. They provide insulation, improve air quality and manage stormwater. They are an ideal and innovative choice for urban rooftop environments.
Permaloc: Your Edging Solution for Commercial Applications
Permaloc offers a range of high-performance products specifically designed to meet the unique demands of commercial landscapes, from urban parks and rooftop gardens to walkways and mixed-use developments.
Whether you’re looking for strength, flexibility, or sustainable materials, Permaloc has the best landscape edging solution for your project.
Check out our edging solutions and our installation instructions and videos for every product line. Our design tools will provide valuable assistance during your planning and design project, bringing your vision to life. Ready to get started on your commercial landscaping project? Get a quote from our experts today.
