Safe Edge Corten Steel Garden Edging With Safety Fold

What you’ll need

For most Safe Edge installations, allow for the edging lengths, matching joining plates, any required internal or external corners, approximately four to five Corten steel pegs per 3 metre length and suitable roofing screws. Ground conditions, curves and the amount of edging left visible may change the peg quantity.

Safe Edge and Flat Edge use different joining and corner components.

Chippy’s preferred Safe Edge installation method

Safe Edge is generally easier to install when the Corten steel pegs are positioned and levelled first. The edging can then be seated over the pegs, using the folded top to help locate and retain the top of each peg while the lower fixing is installed.

1. Set out the line. Mark the proposed edge with a string line for straight runs or a hose for curves.
2. Prepare the ground. Create a narrow trench or loosen the soil along the route so the pegs and edging can be set at the required level.
3. Position and level the pegs first. Install approximately four to five Corten steel pegs per 3 metre length as a starting guide. The peg positions are not pre-drilled, so place them wherever the run needs support and adjust the number for the soil, exposed height and shape of the line.
4. Seat the Safe Edge over the pegs. Position the 3 metre length so the folded top sits over the tops of the pegs. The fold helps locate and hold each peg at the top while also adding rigidity to the finished line.
5. Form the finished line. Use the rigidity of the folded top to establish straight runs. For curves, shape the edging gradually around the levelled pegs to avoid sudden kinks.
6. Clamp the edging to each peg. A small G-clamp can be fitted from underneath, or a larger clamp can be fitted from the top, to hold the edging and peg firmly together while the fixing is installed.
7. Install the lower fixing. At the selected peg position, use a suitable self-tapping roofing screw at slow speed through the un-drilled lower section of the edging and into the peg. The roofing screw secures the lower section while the folded top helps retain the top of the peg.
8. Join adjoining lengths. Place the correct Safe Edge joining plate behind the connection and align the folded tops. Use the pre-drilled joining holes in the edging ends to establish the fixing positions through the un-drilled plate. Fix with suitable roofing screws, or drill through the plate and use suitable pop rivets.
9. Fit purpose-made corners. Use matching internal or external Safe Edge corners where the run changes direction. The pre-drilled holes in the edging and corners connect through joining plates placed behind each connection.
10. Check and finish. Recheck the height, straight lines, curves and folded-top alignment before installing final fixings. Backfill and compact the surrounding material when the full run is correct.

Drilling tips from Chippy’s

• Use a normal drill, not an impact driver.
• Run the drill slowly when pre-drilling or using roofing screws.
• Place masking tape or duct tape over the starting point to reduce the chance of the bit or screw skating across the steel.
• Keep fixings in the lower third where they can be concealed where practical.
• Keep the clamp in place until the lower roofing screw has securely connected the edging to the peg.

Do not place a peg directly over a join. Fit the joining plate at the connection and position the nearest supporting peg to one side.