Questions
- gagui97
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
1. What is Corten steel? Why is rust considered aesthetic?
Corten steel is a special alloy of steel often referred to as “weathering steel.” Unlike regular mild steel, which rusts and eventually breaks down, Corten steel is designed to intentionally rust to create a protective barrier.
The rust you see is actually a stable, protective layer called patina . This patina acts as a shield and prevents any deeper corrosion from reaching the interior of the metal. This is the most important feature of Corten steel!
2. How long will it take for a new product to get a nice patina?
Your Corten product is shipped in its original, unweathered state. It looks like ordinary, grayish, raw steel. The Corten orange-brown patina develops when the steel is in direct contact with the outside environment (alternating wet and dry cycles).
The initial color change (striped yellow/orange) usually begins within a few weeks to 2 months.
A stable, protective patina with a rich, uniform orange-brown color typically develops within 6 months to 2 years .
The time depends on your local climate, as frequent wet-dry cycles speed up the process.
3. Will rust spread to the area around my product?
Yes, it will initially. For the first 6-12 months, while the protective patina forms, small particles of rust will wash away with rain, causing rust spots on surrounding surfaces.
To avoid stains: We recommend that you do not place the product on light-colored or porous surfaces (such as light-colored stone, concrete, or decking) during the initial setting period.
Once the patina has fully developed and stabilized (usually after 1-2 years), the leakage will be significantly reduced and the stains will no longer be present.
4. Does Corten steel require maintenance, painting or protective coatings?
No. That's one of its biggest advantages!
The beautiful, naturally formed rust (patina) acts as its own protective layer.
You will never need to paint, stain, or apply any other protective coating to maintain the integrity of the steel. It is virtually maintenance-free.
On the contrary, painting it will prevent the protective patina from forming properly.
5. Corten steel is more expensive than regular steel. Why?
The initial cost of Corten steel is usually higher than standard (mild) steel because it is alloyed with special elements (such as copper, chromium, and nickel) that give it unique corrosion resistance.
In general, Corten is considered a long-term investment because:
It has an exceptionally long lifespan (decades).
It does not require maintenance costs (neither painting nor protective treatment).
