Architecture
Perfect Patina: 7 Ways With Corten Weathering Steel
With its earthy tones, weathering steel – or Corten – is a natural choice for Australian architecture
Corten corrodes under the influence of weather, becoming a beautiful rusty colour that varies according to the climate, from deep reddish browns to rich oranges. It is becoming increasingly popular in Australia for a variety of uses; it can be found cladding contemporary homes and public buildings and is also commonly used for sculptures, doors, fences and fireplaces. Here are seven ways of using Corten that can make your home stand out.
The rich patina develops over time when oxides form on the surface from the effects of weather. Metals added to the steel, plus the natural weather-induced corrosion, are what make it form a stabilised layer which would not occur with regular steel or iron. This stabilised layer provides protection so that no further corrosion occurs. This makes Corten long-lasting and low maintenance.
This New York studio is clad in corrugated Corten – which turned from a dull grey to this colour in just a few months.
This building is also clad in a corrugated Corten which adds texture to the box-like design.
Architect Nicole Walters of Bespoke Architects likes using Corten for its “ever changing” look. “It has a depth of colour that you can’t achieve with a powder coat colour such as Colorbond,” she says. “Given the orientation of product to the elements it will age at different speeds.”
At this home Corten was wrapped around the external features. As a result the vertical Corten was weathering much faster than the horizontal soffit lining. “This home is in a coastal location and Corten is completely fine to use, however the salt air will make the Corten age more quickly,” says Walters. “I believe that Corten can be sealed at anytime during its life if clients feel it has the right patina.”
EXPERT TIP: “Unsealed, the Corten makes rainwater rusty which can run and drip, so clients need to be aware that Corten can stain other materials such as concrete and paint,” advises Walters.
At this home Corten was wrapped around the external features. As a result the vertical Corten was weathering much faster than the horizontal soffit lining. “This home is in a coastal location and Corten is completely fine to use, however the salt air will make the Corten age more quickly,” says Walters. “I believe that Corten can be sealed at anytime during its life if clients feel it has the right patina.”
EXPERT TIP: “Unsealed, the Corten makes rainwater rusty which can run and drip, so clients need to be aware that Corten can stain other materials such as concrete and paint,” advises Walters.
2. Ornamental
At this home in Perth, the tree sculpture, custom-made from Corten steel, makes for a stunning entrance.
In the UK and US, Corten has been used for iconic works of art, including Antony Gormley’s sculpture Angel of the North in Gateshead, England, and the Picasso sculpture in Chicago, US, both of which were controversial works when originally commissioned.
More: Home Front: Simple Ways to Personalise Your Front Exterior
At this home in Perth, the tree sculpture, custom-made from Corten steel, makes for a stunning entrance.
In the UK and US, Corten has been used for iconic works of art, including Antony Gormley’s sculpture Angel of the North in Gateshead, England, and the Picasso sculpture in Chicago, US, both of which were controversial works when originally commissioned.
More: Home Front: Simple Ways to Personalise Your Front Exterior
This beautiful feature of an inner-city Sydney property was designed by Steve Warner of Sydney landscape company Outhouse Design. Warner favours Corten for these artistic pieces because of “the texture, colour and earthy nature of the product”.
The advantages of working with Corten, according to Warner, are that it is a lightweight, pliable material to curve and bend, and he likes that the rusted nature of it means no additional maintenance is required.
For Warner, though, the downsides of Corten are its cost and the fact that it isn’t a natural material.
EXPERT TIP: “Don’t use lots of it, as it can be overwhelming in a small space,” says Warner. “And if you don’t seal it, don’t hang it over pavers as, yes, it stains.”
EXPERT TIP: “Don’t use lots of it, as it can be overwhelming in a small space,” says Warner. “And if you don’t seal it, don’t hang it over pavers as, yes, it stains.”
3. Retaining
Increasingly, in Australia, landscapers are making use of this material in gardening applications. The pliability of Corten makes it great for these round raised garden beds.
Increasingly, in Australia, landscapers are making use of this material in gardening applications. The pliability of Corten makes it great for these round raised garden beds.
For herb and vegetable gardens, the inside can be treated with a non-toxic sealant to prevent any leaching of metals into the soil.
Its good looks make Corten an attractive material for retaining walls, too.
Corten has been used for steps and retaining walls throughout this impressively landscaped property.
More: Boundary Booster: Magical Ideas for Garden Walls
More: Boundary Booster: Magical Ideas for Garden Walls
This courtyard in Melbourne makes use of corten in a number of decorative ways without overdoing it.
4. Water features
Here, a concrete retaining wall is clad in a Corten steel veneer. The water leaves streaks adding to the individual character of the feature.
See more ways to use water in the garden
Here, a concrete retaining wall is clad in a Corten steel veneer. The water leaves streaks adding to the individual character of the feature.
See more ways to use water in the garden
It’s a popular material for fire pits, too. These can be custom-made or can often be found for sale at hardware stores or landscaping suppliers.
Read more on fire pits
Read more on fire pits
Corten can also be used inside as cladding for the fireplace. This one acts as both cladding and an attractive feature wall.
6. Doors
Corten is a sturdy and impressive material for a statement entry door.
More: 8 Rock-Solid Ideas to Build a Grand Entrance to Your Home
Corten is a sturdy and impressive material for a statement entry door.
More: 8 Rock-Solid Ideas to Build a Grand Entrance to Your Home
Mixing up warm materials is an option, too, such as this feature Corten entrance with a timber pergola.
7. Fencing
According to the architect of this Pennsylvania, US, property the Corten steel fence was expensive both because of the Corten and the labour-intensive nature of aligning each blade of steel precisely. Still, the results are very impressive.
According to the architect, the fence, which meanders through the 12-acre property, is “both sculptural as well as functional, and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural surroundings without obstructing the views.”
“The original goal of this fence was to provide a sculptural enclosure that would keep out deer and not obstruct the views from the house of the natural surroundings.”
See more fences here
According to the architect of this Pennsylvania, US, property the Corten steel fence was expensive both because of the Corten and the labour-intensive nature of aligning each blade of steel precisely. Still, the results are very impressive.
According to the architect, the fence, which meanders through the 12-acre property, is “both sculptural as well as functional, and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural surroundings without obstructing the views.”
“The original goal of this fence was to provide a sculptural enclosure that would keep out deer and not obstruct the views from the house of the natural surroundings.”
See more fences here
Corten has been used for both the fencing and the pergola at this stunning property in rural NSW.
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Because of its long-lasting nature, weathering steel – or Corten as it is known – is appropriate for outdoor use and is increasingly used as a cladding material in architecturally designed buildings.
This home in San Francisco is completely clad in Corten steel, with some areas featuring perforations for a more textured effect.