Everform manufactures high-quality metal garden planters out of Corten Steel and Polyester Powder coated aluminium. This Blog focuses on Corten Steel Planters.
- Our planters are available in a number of shapes and sizes.
- Bespoke design option available ensuring we can achieve your desired dimensions for your outdoor space.
- All of our products are designed and manufactured here in the UK using companies we have built a relationship with over the past decade insuring the best quality for our consumers.
What is Corten Steel?
Corten Steel is that rusty looking metal you’ve seen around, generally being used for aesthetic building purposes, such as benches or planters in public spaces, even bespoke artwork, it's also used for chimneys, fire pits and stairs. It can also be found cladding a whole building facade. Corten is an orangey brown looking metal. The colour comes from its self protecting properties that naturally form a layer of rust known as a ‘patina’.
Why does Corten Steel rust?
Corten steel us known as a weathering steel, it is a high strength low alloy steel that consists of copper, chromium, phosphorous, silicon and nickel. Corten Steel was developed in the early 1930s and has been widely used since due to their excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, in fact they exhibit much higher resistance to corrosion than carbon steel due to their ability to form a lightweight, stable protective layer known as a ‘patina’ over the period of exposure. The oxidised dark brown coating acts as a barrier preventing deeper rust penetration.
How long does Corten Steel last?
Due to the properties of the metal every time the steel is exposed to rain or any moisture, the ‘Patina’ rust layer thickens. After many years of exposure the layer will stabilise and forms a natural look, other metals require a textured powder coating layer to achieve this look however it will always appear fake. The natural barrier prevents any need of upkeep unlike many other types of steels.
How thick are Corten Steel Planters?
They are generally 1-2 mm thick but can be 5+mm depending on the structural requirements.
How long does It take for Corten Steel to rust?
Within the UK with the average intermittent wet weather the Patina rust layer typically forms between 6months and a year. The entire process takes up to 3-9 years. Drier climates tend to use salt-spray and watering to speed up the process however this is not necessary in the UK.