What Is Conceal Fixing Corten Edging? (And Why Landscapers Love It)

The Problem with Visible Stakes

Standard garden edging, whether it’s corten steel, mild steel, or aluminium, is typically held in place with metal stakes driven through the face of the edging or positioned visibly alongside it. It works. It’s strong. But it leaves you with a row of stake heads running along your beautifully crafted garden border.

For many residential projects, that’s perfectly fine. But for high-end landscaping, architectural courtyard gardens, and commercial streetscapes, those visible fixings can undermine the clean, minimal look you’re trying to achieve. That’s exactly the problem conceal fixing corten edging was designed to solve.

How Conceal Fixing Edging Works

Conceal fixing corten edging uses a bracket-and-channel system that sits entirely behind the steel face. From the front, the side everyone sees, there are no stakes, no bolt heads, and no clips. Just an uninterrupted line of corten steel with its natural rust patina.

The concealed brackets are driven into the ground behind the edging and lock into a formed channel along the back of the steel. This holds the edging rigid and upright without any fixings penetrating or showing on the visible face. The system is engineered to handle the same soil pressures and ground movement as standard staked edging, so you’re not sacrificing strength for aesthetics.

Where Conceal Fixing Edging Makes the Biggest Difference

Not every project needs concealed fixings — but some projects are transformed by them. Here’s where we see the biggest impact:

Front yard and entrance landscaping. First impressions matter. Conceal fixing edging along a front path or driveway entry gives a polished, architect-designed look that standard edging can’t quite match. When visitors see clean corten lines with no visible hardware, the entire streetscape lifts.

Courtyard and entertaining areas. In smaller, more intimate spaces — courtyards, alfresco dining areas, rooftop gardens — every detail is on display. Concealed fixings keep the focus on the material and the design, not the installation method.

Commercial and hospitality projects. Hotels, restaurants, cafés, and retail spaces increasingly specify corten for its low maintenance and distinctive look. Conceal fixing edging is the standard choice for these projects because it delivers a clean, professional finish that meets the design brief.

Garden beds against paving or decking. When your edging runs alongside pavers, concrete, or timber decking, visible stakes can look cluttered. The concealed system gives you a seamless transition between hard and soft landscaping.

Standard vs Conceal Fixing: A Quick Comparison

Both options are fabricated from the same grade of corten weathering steel and develop the same rich, protective patina over time. The difference comes down to the fixing method and where you want to use them.

Standard corten edging is the more affordable option and is ideal for garden beds, lawn borders, and general landscaping where the priority is a durable, defined edge. Stakes are visible but unobtrusive — especially once mulch or soil is backfilled. Installation is quick and requires no special tools beyond a rubber mallet and a level.

Conceal fixing corten edging costs a bit more per metre due to the engineered bracket system, but delivers a completely clean face with no visible hardware. It’s the choice for feature areas, high-visibility zones, and projects where the landscape design calls for minimal, uninterrupted lines. Installation is only slightly more involved — the brackets slot into the channel and are secured from behind.

Many of our customers use a combination of both: standard edging for the bulk of their garden borders, and conceal fixing edging for the feature areas and high-traffic sightlines.

Installation Overview

Installing conceal fixing corten edging follows the same basic process as standard edging, with one extra step for the bracket system:

1. Set your line. Mark out your edging layout using string lines or a garden hose for curves. Dig a shallow trench to the desired depth.
2. Position the edging. Place the corten edging into the trench with the bracket channel facing the garden bed side (away from the primary viewing angle).
3. Insert the concealed brackets. Slide the brackets into the channel at regular intervals (typically every 600–800mm) and drive them firmly into the ground.
4. Check level and adjust. Use a spirit level to ensure the edging sits true, then tamp the brackets down to final depth.
5. Backfill. Fill soil or mulch against both sides to lock everything in place. The brackets are now completely hidden behind the edging and below ground level.

The whole process is DIY-friendly, though we’d always recommend taking your time with the levelling step — it’s what separates a good result from a great one.

Fabricated In-House at Thompson Co Outdoors

All of our conceal fixing corten edging is fabricated right here in our workshop. We use our guillotine to cut the steel to length and our press brake to form the concealed bracket channel with precision. Because we control the entire process in-house, we can ensure consistent quality and offer custom lengths to suit your project.

Browse our conceal fixing corten edging range, or check out our standard corten edging if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option. Need help choosing? Get in touch — we’re happy to talk through your project and recommend the right option.