User Information – Metal
Metals
for outdoor use
Metal Types and Finishes for Outdoor Use
When it comes to garden and urban furniture, the choice of metal influences the visual appearance, material properties, and future maintenance requirements. Consequently, various types of metal and finishes are suitable depending on the intended application, desired surface finish, and design specifications.
Gartenmetall® develops, plans, designs, and manufactures metal objects for the garden, landscape, and urban furniture sectors. This work is underpinned by extensive experience in industrial sheet metal processing and a modern machinery lineup featuring TRUMPF laser cutting machines, plate rolling machines, press brakes, and testing stations. Almost all manufacturing steps take place at the company’s headquarters in Nürtingen, enabling the precise production of both standard product lines and bespoke custom designs.
The metals and finishes used differ significantly in terms of appearance, properties, and maintenance needs. Material thickness and structural design are carefully balanced to ensure the objects remain durably stable without being unnecessarily heavy. A sample portfolio featuring various metal finishes is also available to assist with sampling and coordination with clients.
Information on the different types of metal
Metal Sample Folder
Metal as a material
CORTEN STEEL – a versatile material
Why are metal objects made from Corten steel in particular so popular? Thanks to its special alloy, Corten steel develops its characteristic rust-red surface after just a short period of exposure to the elements. It can take between 1.5 and 3 years for the final surface to develop. This weathered, rust-effect finish is particularly striking on flat objects such as fountain basins, planters, water bowls and privacy screens. Furthermore, with their constantly changing surface, Corten steel objects blend harmoniously into a natural environment featuring plants, soil and stones.
Low maintenance
Another advantage: metal objects for the garden or the city, made from the characteristic rust-red steel, require very little maintenance and, under normal conditions, are durable and hard-wearing. However, it is important that the objects are positioned in such a way that water does not become waterlogged, for example in a bed of chippings or gravel. Objects that come into regular contact with water, such as water bowls, should be able to dry out regularly – ideally overnight. Only then can the protective layer that prevents rusting through reform. Only in the case of acid from bird droppings or dog urine, chloride exposure from road salt or in a maritime climate, and in environments containing sulphuric acid (acid rain) do you need to keep an eye on the objects and, if necessary, clean them regularly.
If you want to be absolutely sure that nothing happens to your high-quality metal garden features, you can also seal them with the ROST-PROTECT® patina protection. The colourless natural oil penetrates right into the deepest pores and stabilises the existing surface. Further information on ROST-PROTECT® can be found here: ROST-PROTECT®. Find out more about Corten steel here: CORTEN STEEL
Corten steel, also known as weather-resistant structural steel
STAINLESS STEEL – a premium material for a high-quality finish
Gartenmetall® uses the particularly high-quality and corrosion-resistant stainless steel with material number 1.4404 (V4A) for its metal garden features. This steel offers high resistance to chlorides, acids and sulphur dioxide. Nevertheless, deposits should be removed regularly, as they could impair corrosion resistance. We offer the following products for this purpose: STAINLESS STEEL CARE and STAINLESS STEEL LOTION.
‘Rotex-polished’ surfaces have proven particularly effective for garden features. The non-directional polish ensures that sunlight is diffused evenly and fingerprints are barely visible. The most important advantage, however, is that scratches caused during use or installation can be easily removed. Further information on stainless steel can be found here:
COLOUR-COATED STAINLESS STEEL – Colour for the garden and the city
With colourful garden features and urban furniture made of metal can add distinctive touches to gardens, parks and public spaces. We use V2A stainless steel as the base material for our colour-coated metal features, such as privacy screens, water features and planters, and coat the surface with high-quality textured paints. These are highly resistant to surface imperfections and dirt. When it comes to colour selection, customers can choose their favourite colour from the RAL or DB colour charts. Should a scratch occur, the affected area on painted surfaces can be repainted quickly and easily. A ‘spare bottle’ is included as standard with every delivery. Further information on colour-coated surfaces can be found here:
Stainless steel with a Rotex finish
Colour-coated stainless steel