Are steel edges limited to high-value projects?

Steel Edge Pricing

We have broken down each aspect of steel edge pricing to give you an idea of how you can incorporate this timeless commodity into your garden designs. This will enable you to budget and make the best decisions for your project.  For accurate pricing visit the relevant product pages.

Are you considering steel edging for your garden but unsure if it fits your budget? It’s a popular choice for its distinctive look, so understanding its cost factors can help you fit it into your financial plan. Here, we break down the elements that affect steel edging rates and offer tips on how to manage costs effectively.

 Contents: 

1. Edge Height 
2. Material and Finish
3. Curved steel edges  
4. Installation
5. Bespoke vs modular
6. Steel rates

Edge Height

Edge height significantly impacts cost, with taller edges generally costing more. Here’s why:

1. More Steel: Taller edges require more steel material.
2. Heavier Panels: Increased height means heavier panels for manufacture and carriage. 
3. Greater Surface Area: Mostly affecting powder-coated planters. 
4. Soil Weight Considerations: Higher edges must support more soil weight.
5. Additional Gussets: More structural support is needed for taller edges.
6. Different System Requirements: Edges over 600mm use thicker steel
7. Costlier Installation Methods: Taller edges often require more expensive installation techniques. (See the section ‘Install Methods’ for details.)

The price doesn’t always increase incrementally with height. For instance, with Anco, there is a significant price jump from 500mm to 600mm high due to changes in sheet size. However, increasing the height from 600mm to 700mm results in only a minimal cost increase because the same sheet size is used, leading to less wastage at 700mm high.

Material and Finish

Material choice significantly impacts the steel edge pricing. Here’s a breakdown of options, ordered from least to most expensive. We also give a price range for each finish for the groundline system. 

1. Mild Steel: (£12 - £16) This is the most affordable option. Mild steel is easy to work with and resistant to damage, which simplifies production and reduces costs. 
2. Powder-Coated Finishes (Standard RAL Colour): (£21 - £26) Galvanized steel with a standard RAL powder-coated finish is cost-effective. However, many suppliers add a ‘hassle tax’ for powder-coated systems due to additional processing, packaging, and damage risks. If you damage a powder-coated edge, you can easily touch it up to restore its former glory.
3. Corten Steel: (£24 - £30) Corten can be up to 2.5 times more expensive than mild steel. While this material is pricier, our pricing structure reflects more than just the raw material cost. Corten is maintenance-free and holds a lifetime warranty.
4. Non-Standard Powder Coating: (£25 - £50) Custom powder coatings are often a more expensive option than Corten. This is because they often can only be purchased as a large batch size. It often only works on larger projects. 
5. Stainless Steel: (£44 - £41) This is the most expensive option, known for its durability and style, but comes with a higher price tag.

Curved steel edges

Curved edges come at no extra cost with our Contour or Groundline systems. They are designed as curved edges and with the added straightener bar, perfect straight edges are a breeze. - The straightener bar comes as standard with each panel and can be removed for curved sections. 

For our Anco range, curved panels are more expensive than straight panels. This is because they are custom-made to fit your specific requirements. For bespoke sizes and further details, feel free to get in touch!

Installation works

When planning your budget, it’s crucial to consider all potential costs associated with each system. Installation can be a large contributor to the overall steel edge pricing. Download the full installation guide for each system:

• Contain
• Groundline
• Contour
• Anco

Key factors to consider when looking at alternative wall methods include:

1. Foundations: A large foundation can be a large hidden cost. Steel edges up to 600mm high do not need a foundation. Edges over 600mm high need a 150mm deep strip foundation.
2. Structural calculations: Are these required? Steel edges need structural calculations to avoid, tipping, bowing, deforming etc.  Anco has full structural calculations which enable us to offer our lifetime guarantee.
3. Drainage: Does the wall need allowance for drainage?
4. Installation Time: Evaluate how long it would take to install. Check how quick steel edging can be! Here
5. Tools: What tools and equipment do you need to install? Each of the installation guides above includes a tools list.

By factoring in these elements, you can better manage your budget and make an informed decision.

RELATED: Top 5 Retaining wall methods 2024: (reviews/ Ratings)

Bespoke vs modular systems affect steel edge pricing 

The choice between bespoke and modular systems can greatly impact your project costs. Our Groundline, Contour, and Anco systems are designed to expand the possibilities of modular configurations, providing a cost-effective ‘bespoke’ solution. These pre-designed, adaptable systems allow for quick and efficient installation without the need for bespoke fabrication. This standardisation reduces both material costs and labour expenses while speeding up installation time.

Opting for our modular systems means you benefit from favourable rates, making them a budget-friendly choice for your project without compromising on quality or durability. For projects requiring bespoke customisation, our work with our sister company Logic Manufactured Bespoke. They offer comprehensive services including quotes, drawings, and project management to ensure you get exactly what you need. Contact us to learn more!

Steel rate fluctuations

Steel market rates directly impact our product pricing. Due to fluctuations in global steel prices—driven by factors like raw material costs, supply chain issues, and demand—our prices adjust monthly to reflect these changes. When steel prices rise, our product costs increase accordingly, and conversely, when steel prices drop, we pass those savings on to you.

We follow market trends closely to ensure our pricing remains fair and competitive. For more detailed information and to track steel rates, check out our steel rates blog where we provide regular updates on the latest trends and forecasts.

We try to keep our steel edge pricing simple.  Hopefully, you are now in a better position to understand how and why we price the way we do. We strive to offer value, we put a huge emphasis on innovation and making sure we continue supply the easiest steel edge system on the market.  We want to make it easy for you.

 Happy creating!