Bespoke Landscape Product Solutions

Zintec Steel - Powder Coated

Zintec Steel has a protective Zinc layer electroplated onto Mild Steel, and it is the cheapest metal that IOTA offers.

For many commercial projects, where cost is of paramount importance, Powder Coated Zintec Steel offers an optimal quality vs. cost relationship - particularly if the environment is relatively protected. 

1.4003-grade Stainless Steel - Powder Coated

For unprotected environments, like public realm, it is almost always worth paying a bit more to powder coat onto 1.4003-grade Stainless Steel, rather than Zintec Steel, to enhance longevity and corrosion-resistance.

Higher grade Stainless Steels [such as 304- and 316-grades] can also be painted; but the cost is generally prohibitive, except for marine environments and ultra high-end projects.

Aluminium - Powder Coated

Aluminium offers similar benefits of corrosion-resistance to 1.4003-grade Stainless Steel, but at a significantly higher cost. And this premium can only be justified in specific situations, such as where Aluminium's lower weight delivers demonstrable benefits.

Corten Steel - Natural Metal

Corten Steel develops a distinctive patina, which acts as the perfect foil for all manner of planting schemes.

Corten Steel is also not as expensive as often thought, and 'it lasts forever'. 

Given this, of all sheet metals, Corten Steel offers by far the best ROI for landscape products, over a 25+ year lifetime expectation - particularly in challenging environments, such as public realm.

High-grade Stainless Steels - Natural Metal

High-grade [304- and 316-grade] Stainless Steels are expensive. 

However, they do not need painting, are durable and corrosion-resistant, and have a distinctive metropolitan style.

And the only sheet metals that can definitively guarantee a 25+ year lifespan are Corten Steel and 316-grade Stainless Steel. And 316 is aka 'Marine-grade' for a reason - in exposed coastal locations, it really is the only option. 

Lead - Patinated

The patina of old Lead is utterly distinctive. Unlike Zinc and Bronze/Brass [which are stiff], Lead's softness also means that embossed/debossed designs are possible.

Zinc - Patinated

At the beginning, Zinc's patina resembles old Lead. However, over time, Zinc will become generally lighter, with increasing levels of tonal variation and highlights - and characteristic 'white-ish' zinc oxide highlights will start to come through.

Bronze and Brass - Patinated

Bronze and Brass start with a general background patina of warm brown and gold. Over time, the metals will become generally darker, with increasing levels of tonal variation and highlights - and eventually some green tones will start to show through.