Concrete curbing, pavers, and steel edging are the three most popular permanent edging choices in Bozeman. All three can look great. The differences show up in maintenance, durability, and how your yard looks five years from now. Here's an honest side-by-side comparison to help you choose.
Quick Comparison
Concrete curbing: one continuous, machine-formed border. Smooth or stamped, any color. Mower-friendly. Minimal upkeep.
Pavers: individual blocks set side by side. Lots of style options. Can shift and grow weeds in the joints.
Steel edging: thin metal strips staked into the soil. Crisp, modern line. Doesn't stop trimming and can lift with frost.
Concrete Curbing
Concrete curbing is extruded on-site from a curbing machine into one seamless piece that follows every curve of your beds. At EdgeWorks, concrete is mixed on-site with added fiber, control joints are cut to manage cracking, and colored curbs are sealed the same day.
Pros
No seams, so grass and weeds can't grow through
Won't separate or shift like individual pieces
Custom colors and stamped textures like slate, flagstone, and brick
Your mower wheel can ride along the edge, often eliminating trimming
Installed in a single visit with minimal disruption to your lawn
Cons
Higher up-front cost than DIY plastic or steel
Like all concrete, it can develop small hairline cracks
Colored curbing needs resealing about every 18 months to keep its semi-gloss luster
Pavers
Pavers are concrete or clay blocks laid end to end. They're popular for matching patios and walkways, and they come in many shapes and colors.
Pros
Huge range of styles
Individual pieces can be replaced
Pairs well with paver patios
Cons
Pieces shift and settle, especially through freeze-thaw cycles
Weeds and grass grow in the joints
Often needs re-leveling and weeding to keep a clean line
Labor-intensive to install well
Steel Edging
Steel edging is a thin metal strip driven into the ground with stakes. It's a favorite for modern, minimalist landscapes.
Pros
Very clean, thin line
Bends to follow gentle curves
Lower material cost
Cons
Too thin for a mower wheel, so you'll still trim
Frost can lift it out of the ground over time
Exposed top edge can be sharp
Steel can rust
Which One Lasts Longest in Montana?
Bozeman's long winters and repeated freeze-thaw cycles are hard on edging made of many separate pieces or staked into the soil. A continuous concrete border holds its line better because there are no joints to open up and no stakes to work loose. Read more in Does Concrete Curbing Hold Up in Montana?
Cost Comparison
Steel and pavers vary widely in price depending on materials and whether you install them yourself. EdgeWorks concrete curbing is $10 to $16 per linear foot installed, depending on the style, with a $1,000 minimum within 40 miles of Bozeman. That includes site prep, sod removal, on-site mixing, control joints, and same-day sealing. Use our cost estimator to price your project in under a minute.
The Bottom Line
Choose pavers if you're matching an existing paver patio and don't mind some upkeep.
Choose steel for a minimalist look on straight runs where trimming isn't a concern.
Choose concrete curbing if you want a permanent, custom border that's easy to mow around and doesn't need yearly fixing.
Want to see your options in person? Browse our colors and stamp patterns, see stamped and decorative curbing, or request a free on-site quote. For a broader look at every edging type, see our landscape edging guide.
Written by Zach McCleary, Founder of EdgeWorks Curbing.
