Plastic bed borders have long been the preferred solution for separating beds and lawns. Gradually, however, lawn edges made of PE, PET, PVC and PP are falling behind. You can find out why in our guide, which also serves as a practical test and comparison and helps you to find the right border for your garden.

Plastic bed edgings are very easy to assemble

Table of Contents

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  1. What are the general characteristics of bed edgings made of plastic?
  2. What types of plastic bed borders are there?
  3. Other purchase criteria
  4. What brands are there?
  5. How do I care for plastic bed edgings?
  6. Which accessories are useful?
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. What are the general characteristics of bed edgings made of plastic?

    With no other material for bed edging are the advantages and disadvantages so contrary to each other as with plastic. There are many plus points that are really convincing and quickly tempt you to overlook the serious disadvantages or to pay (too) little attention to them. But first things first. In the following, we will first deal with the advantages of plastic bed borders (€29.90). Then we take a closer look at the arguments against buying a plastic lawn edging.

    Advantages of plastic bed borders

    Here is an overview of the main advantages of plastic borders:

    • inexpensive
    • wide range of colors, shapes and sizes
    • can be used flexibly
    • easy to install

    Cheap price

    our recommendation
    Cellfast 34-031 garden palisade, lawn edge ECO, 17cm X 2.4m, pack of 10
    9.99 EUR To the product

    Plastic bed edgings are unbeatably cheap to buy. You usually only pay between 30 cents and one euro per meter. In addition, plastic borders are particularly lightweight, so they do not increase transport or delivery costs in any way. This represents an immense advantage, especially in comparison to building materials such as natural stone, concrete or wood.

    Note: The fact that plastic bezels are extremely cheap is primarily due to the simple chemical manufacturing process, which allows industrial production in huge quantities.

    Large variety of models

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    Fence lawn edge bed edging palisade 10 m in brown
    15.69 EUR To the product

    Furthermore, plastic can be realized in many different ways. That's why you'll enjoy a huge range of plastic bed borders. The available versions are presented in a wide variety of colors and shapes. In addition, they are available in different sizes. In specialist shops you will find plastic tapes in various colors as well as fence-like specimens.

    tips

    Visually, the models with a wood look or stone look stand out among the plastic bed edgings. They ensure at least a rudimentary harmonization of the border of the bed with the natural character of the garden.

    Flexible usability

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    AMISPOL elastic lawn edging plastic black 12 m (125/4 mm) - bed edging round - bed border for curves - flower bed border invisible - lawn and bed border made of sturdy plastic
    EUR 30.95 To the product

    One of the main advantages of plastic bed borders is their flexible use. In fact, you can use plastic edging for any flower bed. They can even be used in garden beds with deep-rooted plants that you want to prevent from spreading through the garden soil. In other words: plastic bed edgings are also suitable as root barriers - a point that often plays a decisive role for gardeners.

    easy installation

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    7.8 m garden palisade rattan lawn edge bed border bed edging bed border color gray palisade mowing edge bed fence
    EUR 26.95 To the product

    The fourth major benefit of plastic edgings is that they are relatively easy to install. Most of the time, all you have to do is stick them into the previously loosened soil.

    Extra: The question of durability

    In many guides and (of course…) also in the product descriptions of the respective manufacturers, plastic bed edgings are declared to be extremely weather-resistant and durable. But do these claims correspond to reality?

    We (and other experts) doubt this. It is true that bed borders made of plastic are considerably more moisture-resistant than those made of wood. Also, plastic bezels cannot rust like metal versions do.

    However, it is a gross exaggeration to say that plastic bed edgings are completely insensitive to solar radiation and are almost indestructible in general.

    In fact, the lifespan of plastic bed borders is limited. As a rule, they have to struggle significantly more with external influences than frames made of other materials:

    • UV light and frost make plastic borderings brittle, causing the borders to disintegrate over time. As soon as this condition sets in, you must dispose of the borders immediately so that your green oasis remains free of microplastics.
    • Plastic borders are significantly less stable compared to borders made of metal, steel, stone or wood. Even gardening with pointed objects or just happily playing children can damage the borders.

    All in all, we consider plastic bezels to be not very durable.

    Disadvantages of plastic bed edgings

    Cheap plastic bed edgings are often of inferior quality

    On closer inspection, the severely limited durability is just one of several glaring disadvantages that come with plastic bed borders. Before we go into detail, here is a short cons overview:

    • limited resistance (already described in more detail in the "intermediate part")
    • not very attractive
    • inferior in quality
    • environmentally harmful

    Low attractiveness

    Bed edgings do not necessarily have to be beautiful and decorative, but they should at least match the garden to the extent that they do not catch the eye negatively. However, the latter is generally the case with plastic borders.

    Even versions with a stone or wood look cannot hide the strikingly unnatural appearance of plastic lawn edges. Plastic bed borders just look artificial, which they actually are. It is almost impossible, if at all, to integrate them harmoniously into the garden - especially if the gardener values creating a harmonious whole. In this case, plastic bezels are definitely not the right solution.

    In short: The break between wild, living nature and dead plastic is simply too massive for a real consensus on the appearance of the green oasis to be achieved with the two opposite poles.

    Reduced quality

    For many buyers of plastic bed edgings, the low price is the main motive. That is why the manufacturer saves at every point in production. The result is often bed borders whose quality leaves a lot to be desired. Featherweight designs that slip with the slightest contact with tools or feet, as well as in strong winds, make up the majority of the plastic surrounds that can be purchased. Thus, crooked bed edgings are literally more the rule than the exception if you opt for plastic versions.

    Harmful to the environment

    Plastic borders are bad for the environment. They are not biodegradable.

    tips

    If you want or have to use plastic for cost reasons despite the disadvantages, we advise you to buy flower bed edgings made from recycled plastic. With this compromise you protect the environment at least as much as this material allows.

    General advantages and disadvantages of plastic bed borders

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    Lawn edge garden palisade bed edging bed border 3.9 m rattan look 3 colors from rg-vertrieb (grey)
    14.50 EUR To the product

    In summary, here is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of plastic bed borders:

    benefits
    • inexpensive
    • large selection of colors and shapes
    • many sizes available
    • can be used flexibly
    • easy to install
    disadvantage
    • limited lifespan
    • unnatural look
    • often inferior and unstable
    • environmentally harmful

    Popularity of plastic bezels on the decline

    “Plastic bed borders have long been the preferred solution for separating beds and lawns. Gradually, however, lawn edges made of PE, PET, PVC and PP are falling behind.”

    Our introductory words have indirectly raised the question of why plastic barriers are losing popularity. After the explanations of the disadvantages, the answer is obvious: hobby gardeners are now also more sensitive to nature and the environment. The trend is towards the 'natural garden' and artificial materials have no place in a natural garden. Especially not if they are not only neutral, but even harmful to the most precious commodity on earth.

    What types of plastic bed borders are there?

    Most plastic bed edgings are made from one of the following four materials:

    • PE (polyethylene)
    • PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
    • PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
    • PP (polypropylene)

    They are all plastics and have the advantages and disadvantages described above - but the specific properties still vary depending on the substance.

    PE under test

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    Polyethylene is a thermoplastic material - this means that it can be deformed under certain temperatures. This fact and, of course, the extremely low production price make PE the most commonly used plastic (share of around 30 percent). Manufacturers of plastic edging for flower beds also prefer polyethylene. PE is resistant to acids and alkalis as well as oils and fats.

    PET in check

    Polyethylene terephthalate belongs to the polyester family. The plastic can be coated with other plastics as well as with aluminum, steamed or used in the form of composite materials. PET is resistant to oils and fats as well as diluted acids and alcohols.

    Extra: Comparison of PE and PET

    • In its raw form, PE is milky and cloudy.
    • PET is crystal clear in its raw form.
    • PE is significantly softer than PET.
    • PET is considerably more break-resistant than PE.

    Since PET is stiffer and more break-resistant than PE, PET bed edgings can be realized with lower material thicknesses than PE bed borders. This in turn means that PET borders require less use of raw materials and are therefore more environmentally friendly.

    PVC under test

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    In its original form, polyvinyl chloride is hard and brittle. As a result, manufacturers of PVC flowerbed edging typically have to use plasticizers to make the material elastic and malleable. Plasticizers are not only harmful to the environment, but have also been shown to be dangerous to human health. We therefore recommend that you stay away from bed borders made of PVC.

    Note: PVC is very resistant to acids and alkalis as well as alcohol and oil. But this also applies to PET. If in doubt, you can simply buy a frame made of the latter plastic.

    PP in check

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    Polypropylene tends to be a young plastic that is chemically very similar to PE (polyethylene), but is stronger and more temperature-resistant than it. However, PP also generally becomes brittle at temperatures below freezing point (zero degrees Celsius). The plastic is resistant to grease and moisture.

    Other purchase criteria

    In addition to the specific plastic and its specific characteristics, you should also consider the following criteria when buying a plastic bed edging in order to find the perfect version for your needs:

    • height
    • color

    height

    The height of the plastic border depends mainly on how tall the plants are in the respective bed or how deep they are rooted.

    Note: If you want to prevent the roots of your deep-rooted plants from growing independently in the ground and happily spreading into the lawn area, you need edging that is as high as possible and that you can sink deep into the ground.

    Practically, the trade has plastic bed borders available in various heights. Are very popular

    • 30 cm,
    • 40cm,
    • 50cm and
    • 60 cm.

    color

    One of the advantages of plastic bed edgings is the variety of colors. In principle, you have complete freedom of choice here. There is nothing that does not exist. Whether simple brown or black, green that takes up the garden or striking red, yellow, orange or blue nuances - the spectrum is huge.

    tips

    Always match the color of the plastic bed edging to the dominant color in the bed in question. In this way you achieve at least a touch of harmony in your garden when you build on plastic borders.

    What brands are there?

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    Here is a brief overview of popular brands for plastic bed edging:

    • Beckman
    • Gardena
    • geoBORDER
    • Richard Brink
    • Thomas Phillips

    And we don't want to withhold from you our list of dealers and shops where you can buy plastic bed borders:

    • Aldi South/North
    • Amazon
    • stretcher
    • Ebay
    • Globe hardware store
    • Hagebau
    • bright way
    • Hornbach
    • OBI
    • toom

    How do I care for plastic bed edgings?

    As long as they last, plastic bed edgings are relatively easy to care for. Any dirt can be wiped away with a damp cloth and a little washing-up liquid.

    It is also practical that you do not have to impregnate plastic bed borders (unlike wooden borders).

    The main problem with plastic borders is the high level of instability. Since the edging can break quite quickly, minor (or major) repair work may be required every few months - i.e. replacing individual elements or the entire border of the bed.

    Which accessories are useful?

    Normally you don't need any specific accessories for plastic bed edgings. During installation, the respective parts are usually simply plugged into the ground. Accordingly, not even a plastic hammer is required.

    We recommend using a digging fork to loosen up the soil a little and make it easier to attach the plastic edging.

    frequently asked Questions

    How are plastic bed borders sold?

    In particular, you have two variants to choose from:

    • colored plastic strips in roll form
    • colorful plastic borders with integrated ground spikes

    How do I install a plastic bed edging?

    Push the border into the ground as far as you want it to be. If the border is also to serve as a root barrier, it must logically be relatively high and embedded very deeply in the ground.

    What is a plastic border used for?

    With a bed edging made of plastic, you effectively separate bed and lawn from each other and prevent one garden highlight from penetrating into the other. In this way you give structure to your green oasis and create order permanently - or as long as the plastic bed border lasts.

    When is a plastic bed edging recommended?

    A bed border made of plastic is recommended when cost-effectiveness is the most important criterion and optics and environmental protection play a less important role. Even with a varying use of space in the garden, plastic edgings are very good, as installation and removal are quick and easy.

    Note: Plastic borders are less suitable for long-term use, mainly due to their high instability and generally poor quality - not to mention the environmental problems.

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