5 Best Faux Grass Edging Options (2026): Metal, Plastic, Timber and Paver Edges That Hold Turf Tight
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Edging is what gives a faux lawn crisp lines and stops the turf creeping, lifting or sinking at the sides.
Turf edging is a rigid strip or border fixed around the edge of the lawn. The base is compacted up to it, and the turf is nailed or glued against it, so the edge stays tight and level. Without it, the base can spread outwards over time, soil washes onto the turf and the edge goes soft and wavy. With it, the lawn looks finished.
So this guide covers why edging matters, the main types, five good products and how to install edging before the turf. We compared seller-listed specs on Amazon and read installer guidance from Install It Direct and edging guides from Gardening Beyond. For decorative stone and paver borders, see our border edging guide.
Quick picks: the best faux grass edging
| Best for | Pick | The spec that decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Metal edging | Anleolife Galvanized Steel, 60 ft × 4 in | Bends for curves, cuts for corners |
| No-dig plastic | EasyFlex Heavy Duty No-Dig, 100 ft | Commercial-grade recycled plastic, no trenching |
| Timber look | Master Mark Terrace Board, 40 ft × 4 in | HDPE with a wood-grain finish |
| Tight curves | Quibbay Corrugated Metal, 4 in × 50 ft | Flexible galvanised bender board |
| Budget | 4 in × 60 ft Edging with 75 Metal Spikes | Long coil with plenty of spikes |
Why does faux grass need edging?
Edging does four jobs at the turf's perimeter:
- Holds the base in. A compacted stone base wants to spread outward under foot traffic. Edging keeps it in place, so the lawn edge doesn't sink.
- Gives a fixing edge. Turf can be nailed or glued against a solid edge, so it stays tight and doesn't lift. Timber edging also acts as a nailer board.
- Stops soil and mulch spilling on. Flower bed soil and bark wash onto turf in rain. An edge raised slightly above the soil keeps beds and lawn apart.
- Stops real grass creeping in. Next to a living lawn, edging blocks runners from growing into the turf.
Do you need edging for artificial grass? Not always. If the turf already meets a patio, wall, path or driveway, those hard edges do the job. Edging matters most where turf meets soil, beds or real grass.
Which edging type is best?
Metal suits curves, plastic suits budgets, timber suits straight lines.
| Type | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel or aluminium | Thin, strong, holds curves and sharp corners, blocks roots | Costs more; sharp edges if unrolled | Curves, modern looks, long life |
| HDPE plastic coil | Cheap, DIY friendly, flexible | Can heave or sag if poorly staked | Budget installs, gentle curves |
| Timber or composite board | Natural look, easy to nail turf into | Real timber can rot; best on straight runs | Straight runs, rustic gardens |
| Pavers or curbing | Permanent and decorative | Costly, more work | Feature borders (see border guide) |
Metal or plastic edging for artificial grass? Metal if you want a thin, crisp line that lasts for years, or if your lawn has tight curves. Plastic if you're on a budget or doing it yourself in a weekend. HDPE plastic resists cracking better than cheaper plastics, which matters through hot summers and cold winters.
What edging works for curves? Flexible metal and plastic coils both bend. Thin, corrugated metal and flexible plastic bend most easily. Rigid timber is best kept to straight lines.
Whatever the type, staking matters. Gardening Beyond suggests stakes at least 8 in long, and around 30 stakes for a 40 ft coil, so the edging stays put. Most edging profiles run 2 to 4 in tall.
The 5 best edging products for faux grass
These five products cover straight, curved and budget edges.
1. Anleolife Galvanized Steel Edging, 60 ft × 4 in — Best Metal Edging
Material: heavy-gauge galvanised steel | Size: 60 ft × 4 in | Finish: black, rolled top and bottom edges (seller)
Steel gives the thinnest, crispest edge there is. It's what makes a lawn look professionally laid.
Anleolife's edging is heavy-gauge galvanised steel, which the seller says handles extreme temperatures and moisture for years. It bends to form smooth curves and can be cut for sharp corners, so one roll handles both. The top and bottom edges are rolled smooth, which makes it safer to handle and to walk past. At 60 ft, one roll edges a small to medium lawn.
But steel costs more than plastic, and buyer feedback on this listing is still limited. Wear gloves when cutting it.
Our take: from our hands-on work with artificial grass, a thin dark edge is the one that disappears in photos; chunky borders draw the eye away from the turf.
2. EasyFlex Heavy Duty No-Dig Edging, 100 ft — Best No-Dig Plastic Edging
Material: commercial-grade recycled plastic | Size: 100 ft kit | Install: no trenching (seller)
The easiest edging to install is the one you don't have to dig a trench for.
EasyFlex's no-dig edging is staked into place along the ground, so you skip trenching. EasyFlex says it's made from commercial-grade recycled plastic for long-term ground contact. It bends for curves, tree rings and beds, and works in soft and compacted soil. A 100 ft kit covers a full lawn border. Buyers consistently say it's easy to put in.
But no-dig edging sits mostly above ground, so it's less of a barrier to roots and less firm as a fixing edge. Stake it closely next to turf.
Our take: in our experience, artificial grass edges lift wherever the border can shift, so no-dig edging only stays neat if you stake it more often than the kit suggests.
3. Master Mark Terrace Board, 40 ft × 4 in — Best Timber-Look Edging
Material: HDPE plastic with wood-grain finish | Size: 40 ft × 4 in | Includes: 10 stakes
Like the look of timber edging but not the rot? This is the plastic version.
Master Mark's Terrace Board is HDPE plastic with a textured wood-grain finish, so it reads as timber without breaking down in wet soil. Master Mark says it's rigid enough for straight runs but still flexible for smooth curves. At 4 in tall, it separates beds and lawn well.
But it only comes with 10 stakes for 40 ft, well short of the roughly 30 Gardening Beyond suggests for that length. Buy extra stakes. EasyFlex also sells a 4 in composite edging kit that installs at least 3 in into the ground. EasyFlex composite on Amazon
Our take: next to green turf, a brown wood-grain edge reads warmer and more natural than black plastic, which is why we like this look for rustic gardens.
4. Quibbay Corrugated Metal Edging, 4 in × 50 ft — Best for Tight Curves
Material: galvanised metal, corrugated | Size: 4 in × 50 ft (also 6 in) | Finishes: black or silver
Curvy lawns need edging that bends without kinking. Corrugation helps.
Quibbay's edging is galvanised metal with a corrugated profile, sold as a flexible bender board. The ridges let the strip flex around tight curves that would kink flat steel. It also gives a modern, ribbed look. It comes in 4 and 6 in heights, and black or silver.
But corrugated edging has a visible, chunkier profile than flat steel. For an invisible, minimal edge, go with #1.
Our take: from shaping artificial grass around curves in our décor work, smooth flowing lines are what make turf look intentional, and kinked edges are the first thing people notice.
5. 4 in × 60 ft Landscape Edging with 75 Metal Spikes — Best Budget Edging
Material: plastic | Size: 4 in × 60 ft | Includes: 75 metal spikes
The cheapest edging fails when it's under-staked. This one comes with plenty of spikes.
This kit includes 60 ft of 4 in plastic edging and 75 metal spikes. That's more than one spike per foot, well above the minimum most guides suggest. Plenty of spikes means the edging stays straight and doesn't heave.
But it's thin plastic, so it's best for gentle curves and low-traffic edges. For a long-lasting border, step up to #1 or #2.
Our take: in our experience, a cheap edge is fine as long as it's held firm; it's wobbly, under-fixed borders that make artificial grass look tired, not the material itself.
Need extra stakes? Spiral spikes on Amazon
How do you install edging for faux grass?
Edging goes in before the base, so the base can be compacted right up to it. Here's how:
- Mark the line. Lay out the lawn edge with a hose or string line.
- Dig the area. Excavate the lawn as normal. See our installation guide.
- Set the edging. Place the edging along the line, with its top at the finished base height.
- Stake it. Drive stakes every 2 to 3 ft, closer on curves.
- Spread and compact the base. Fill the lawn with base material and compact it right up to the edging. See our base guide.
- Lay the turf. Roll the turf out and trim it tight against the edging.
- Fix the edge. Nail the turf down along the edge, or into a timber nailer board. On metal or plastic edging, nail just inside it. See our nails guide.
Do you put edging in before or after turf? Before. The base has to be compacted against the edging, so it goes in first.
How do you attach turf to edging? Nail it just inside the edge, or into a timber board. Some installers glue turf to timber or concrete edges.
Edging questions
These are the edging questions installers ask most.
How high should edging sit? Flush with the top of the compacted base, so the turf lies level over it. Next to flower beds, a slightly raised edge helps keep soil off the lawn.
Can you mow over edging next to real grass? Yes, if it's low. A low, flat profile, around 2 in, lets a mower wheel run over it. Taller edging needs trimming along the edge instead. For decorative edges, see our border edging guide.
Ready to install? See the full faux grass installation guide.