Short version: These are solid. Very thick and heavy. Easy to install if your ground isn't hard or rocky.Long version: We have intentional spaces in our sidewalk that allow the flower beds to extend through the sidewalk to the yard (see picture). I didn't want the rocks in the flower bed spilling out to the yard so I needed some sort or barrier along the edge of the sidewalk. I can't stand that plastic edging junk that is cheap and easy to find as it is a pain to install and doesn't hold up well. So, I gave this product a try. It is very thick and sturdy. I used a block of wood and a hammer to force it down in the ground along the edge of the flower bed. DO NOT hit the metal itself with a hammer as this will warp the metal and damage the finish. My method was to lay the wood on the product and hit the wood with the hammer, working my way from one end to the other and back until the whole thing was buried to the depth I wanted. I could tell I hit rocks in a few spots and that was pretty difficult, just more pounding with the hammer than in the rock-free spots. I had to turn a corner with this edging and that was when I really started to appreciate how robust this material is. It is HARD to bend. I got it done, though, and it looks great. Already had a few compliments on how sleek and clean it looks. Can't speak for the long term durability of the black finish yet but I suspect it will be just fine.
dr. heiter 
