Planters, screens, house numbers, fire pits — outdoor metalwork takes everything the British weather can throw at it. The metal you start with, and how it's finished, decides whether a piece looks good for two seasons or twenty. Here's how the three we use compare.
Mild steel — the workhorse
Most of our garden range starts life as mild (carbon) steel. It's strong, easy to cut and weld, and takes a finish beautifully — but left bare it will rust. That's not a flaw to be feared; it's a choice:
- Powder coated, mild steel becomes properly weatherproof. The baked-on coat seals the metal from moisture, and a good coat will see out many years outdoors with nothing more than the occasional rinse.
- Left raw, mild steel rusts to a warm russet patina that many people choose deliberately for fire pits and rustic garden pieces. The surface rust actually slows further corrosion.
For anything structural or load-bearing outdoors, we powder coat as standard so the steel underneath stays sound.
Weathering steel — the "rusty" look, on purpose
Weathering steel (often known by the trade name Corten) is alloyed to form a stable, tightly-bonded rust layer that then protects the metal beneath rather than eating into it. It's the material behind those rich orange-brown garden screens and planters you'll have seen. It needs no coating, ages gracefully, and only really needs managing for one thing: run-off staining on pale paving below it while the patina settles.
Stainless steel — when you want zero rust
Where a bright, clean, genuinely rust-free finish matters — coastal sites, poolside, or contemporary architectural work — stainless is the answer. Grade 304 suits most gardens; near the sea we'd specify grade 316, which stands up to salt far better. It costs more and is harder to work, but it asks almost nothing of you afterwards.
Near the coast? Salt air is brutal on metal. We'd steer you to 316 stainless, weathering steel, or a textured powder coat with fully-covered edges — and we'll always tell you honestly which suits your spot and budget.
So which should you choose?
- Best all-rounder, best value: powder-coated mild steel.
- Want the warm rusted look: weathering steel, or raw mild steel sealed to taste.
- Want it to stay bright with no rust, ever: stainless steel (316 by the coast).
Once it's outside, a little upkeep goes a long way — our care guide covers cleaning and keeping each finish at its best.
Read next: how custom fabrication works here. Or browse garden & outdoor and fire pits.