Naturescaping With Steel & Aluminium Landscape Edging

Naturescaping harnesses the beauty of nature to create spectacular, sustainable landscapes where steel and aluminium edging can also play a vital role.

Nature is increasingly shaping the world we live in as architects turn to its forms for inspiration and materials for sustainable construction. Landscape design is also moving away from excessive urbanisation with a holistic approach to landscaping that by prioritising native plants, wildlife habitats and sustainable practices, offers a way to harmonise human spaces with the natural world. This practice is called Naturescaping.

One often overlooked but crucial aspect of naturescaping is the use of durable and eco-friendly materials for edging. In this blog post, we delve into how steel and aluminium edging can contribute to thriving, aesthetically pleasing and sustainable landscape design.

Understanding Naturescaping

Naturescaping is a landscaping technique that focuses on creating landscapes that mimic the natural environment, supporting local biodiversity and ecological balance. This method encourages the use of native plants, which are already adapted to the local climate and require minimal maintenance.

Naturescaping also promotes water conservation, soil health and the creation of wildlife-friendly habitats. By implementing these principles, landscape designers and architects can contribute to the well-being of the environment while bringing the benefits of beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces to those who visit, work or live around them.

Edging in Naturescaping

Edging is a fundamental element in landscaping that provides a clean and defined separation between different areas such as flower beds, lawns and pathways. In naturescaping, the choice of edging material becomes crucial to ensure it aligns with the principles of sustainability and durability. But while natural edging materials such as timber may seem a more ecologically sound choice, these have an extremely limited lifespan which reduces their long-term sustainability. This is where steel and aluminium edging come into play.

Steel Edging

Steel edging is a popular choice for naturescaping due to its strength, longevity, and aesthetic appeal. Typically made from recycled or recyclable materials, steel edging is an environmentally friendly option. Its durability ensures it withstands the challenges of changing weather conditions, resisting corrosion and maintaining its structure over time.

Steel edging can be seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape, providing a sleek and minimalist border that complements the overall design of the naturescaped area. The most popular steel for naturescaped landscape edging is probably CorTen weathering steel, as over time this develops a protective oxide layer with an orange-brown patina that perfectly harmonises with the natural shades of soil, mulch and plants.

Aluminium Edging

Aluminium edging shares many of the same advantages as steel but with some unique characteristics. It is lightweight, making it easier to handle and install while still maintaining durability. It also offers excellent corrosion resistance and is a good choice for landscaping in coastal areas where salinity is higher.

Aluminium is also a highly sustainable material as recycling requires less energy than producing new metal, while its natural mill finish is low maintenance.

The versatility of aluminium edging allows for creative and flexible designs, adapting to the contours of the landscape with ease.

Benefits of Metal Edging in Naturescaping

Durability

Both steel and aluminium edging offer long-lasting solutions that can withstand the challenges posed by weather, foot traffic and other environmental factors.

Sustainability

Made from recycled materials, steel and aluminium edging contribute to reducing the environmental impact of landscaping projects.

Aesthetics

Steel and aluminium edging enhances the visual appeal of naturescaped areas, providing either a natural rustic/industrial look or a clean and polished finish.

Ease of Installation

Several factors contribute to metal landscape edging’s ease of installation.

• Lightweight – it is easily carried and positioned by one installer
• Easy to cut – most metal edging can be cut with a hand-held angle grinder or hacksaw
• Flexible – many types of metal edging can be formed on location to accurately follow curves
• Fixings – metal fixing spikes or standard fixings are used to hold metal edging securely in place, often without requiring an additional foundation or haunching
• Speed – installation and backfilling of hard and soft landscaping can follow as soon as metal landscape edging has been installed

Low Maintenance

Once installed, steel and aluminium edging requires minimal maintenance, reducing ongoing costs.

Naturescaping: The Future of Landscape Design

Naturescaping is more than just a trend; it is a conscientious effort to coexist harmoniously with nature while creating visually stunning landscapes. Steel and aluminium edging, with its durability, sustainability and aesthetic appeal, plays a vital role in achieving the goals of naturescaping.

Use Kinley’s steel and aluminium edging to naturescape your next project. Visit https://www.kinley.co.uk, contact us on 01580 830688 or email sales@kinley.co.uk.