Corten Steel Planters: Rugged Elegance for Your Outdoor Space
Corten Steel Planters Can Enhance Any Landscape
When I first laid eyes on a corten steel planter it was love at first sight. I had never seen anything like its complex surface texture and tonality. Plus it was ruggedly elegant. Corten steel is a perfect material choice if you want to add a dynamic yet low-maintenance element to your outdoor space. As an avid gardener and landscape design professional, I strive to produce planters that are as durable as they’re beautiful — corten steel delivers on both fronts
Today, corten steel is the primary material I use to fabricate my planters. My corten steel planters and planter beds now enhance landscapes across the country. The home page of my website click here as well as the corten steel planters gallery page click here show more installation photos of my corten steel planters and aluminum planters, if you’d like to view them. Every image on my site shows corten steel planters, aluminum planters or metal sculpture that I designed and fabricated. If you would like to learn more about any of the projects illustrated in my photos please contact me.
In addition corten steel planters, I design and fabricate powder-coated aluminum planters and metal sculpture. There is a seemingly endless number of powder-coat color choices. Some clients provide a specific RAL or Pantone color for me to match and with others we work through the choices together, often on a Zoom or Google voice chat call.
My business has grown and today I fabricate my planters on both coasts; in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as in South Florida. The fabrication location is determined by project location. Because I often fabricate numerous large corten steel planters this enables me to save my clients substantial shipping costs.
Everything I design and fabricate is custom. I build each aluminum or corten steel planter to the specifications of each client. It’s important for me to build a relationship with every client to gain a deep understanding of their project goals, needs and vision.
Every project has nuanced aspects that make it unique. These can include climate considerations, existing structures or trees, ease of installation, budget, evolving project / design specifications, complex logistics and a myriad of others.
Creating Custom Corten Steel Planters and Metal Sculpture: Design Process
On my homepage, I briefly outlined the overall design process that I employ for each project. Each project begins the same way: I am contacted by a landscape architect, landscape designer, custom home builder, developer or individual client. This can be through my contact page click here, email, phone call, etc. Sometimes a client will be able to share project drawings with me and other times they will send me a photo of the existing landscape and share their vision for its evolution with me.
After this communication, I will create some CAD concept drawings / renderings which I will share with my client. We then discuss the initial concepts after which I will either refine one or more of them or create and share additional design concepts with them. Once my client decides on a design concept / project concept I will create a project quote for them. My quotes include delivery to the client job-site via a lift-gate equipped truck, on pallets. If the quote is accepted, payment in full is made and I begin the fabrication process.
The 3 images below illustrate this process. My client and his landscape architect contacted me at the beginning of their backyard landscape project. The footprint wasn’t large but the design was complex. My part of the project came in 2 stages, about 6 months apart.
As you can see below I was provided with drawings at the project outset. (I included a small area of the drawings below). There were numerous large 11 gauge corten steel planters, fire pits and edging in the original project scope. As things continued to evolve on the project with client budget, permitting, weather, etc. my part of the project changed as well. The second image below shows an initial rendering I did for the large L-shaped planter for this project. My custom, complex sectional corten steel planters were built to spec and worked as planned in the project. The third photo below shows the large L-shaped planter bed being assembled on-site.
Corten Steel Planters - Benefits and Long-Term Cost-Savings
Having found my website you are most likely very familiar with corten steel. As a raw material, it is more expensive then mild steel and aluminum. It is about twice as heavy as aluminum, something to consider for projects in which large planters will be placed on elevated wood decks, etc.
The higher initial cost for corten steel planters vs. mild steel or aluminum ones will become a cost-savings over time as corten steel has a working lifespan of 8 times that of mild steel. Powder-coated aluminum planters, of which I make large quantities, will eventually need to be repainted / touched up. Hopefully not for many years but eventually. So, as long as you are able to have a realistic lifespan for aluminum planters then you will be very happy with them.
Corten steel planters require zero maintanence over their entire life. I offer welded planters as well as my custom sectional planters. I pre-install stainless steel riv-nuts in my sectional planters and include stainless steel bolts for them. My sectional designs have hidden assembly hardware, top and bottom edge flanges (bends) plus a top edge inner bend (flange). These provide extra structural integrity plus a refined elegant aesthetic. My larger custom planters / beds come with inner cross supports.
The first 4 images below show the precise design and fabrication detail and assembly of my sectional corten and aluminum steel planters (These show my 6-section planter design with inner cross supports).
The fifth image shows 2 of my sectional corten steel planters in my 4-section design. There is no need to add cross supports for the large majority of my 4-section planters. I also pre-cut holes in the bottom edge bend (flange) for clients who want to either bolt the planters in place or drive rebar stakes into the ground for extra support.
Corten steel planters require no maintenance and they will maintain their structural integrity and beautiful patina for decades. Plus, they are a very healthy environment for growing food sources and in some cases can prolong your growing season by maintaining a warmer soil temperature than the surrounding ground.
Corten steel has a high recycled content and can qualify for LEED credit. If you want to learn more about corten steel, also known as weathering steel, click here to read more from Central Steel, one of the largest corten steel / weathering steel suppliers in North America. Below is an image of my sectional corten steel planter panels that I pre-patinaed for a large order. If you’re interested in accelerating the development of your corten steel planter patina let me know and i’ll share the process I use. It’s simple and totally non-toxic.
Prior to installing any corten steel planter directly on a light colored, porous surface such as light marble and other stone material it is important to find out if it will get permanently stained from rust run-off. As corten steel undergoes it’s patina process it will create liquid rust run-off that will get onto anything that touches it or is very close to it. For most materials this won’t be a problem as they can be hosed off and scrubbed with a standard brush and cleaning solution. Even some porcelain tiles or pavers can withstand permanent staining. Concrete, gravel, wood, metal and other non-porous surfaces are usually safe to have corten steel placed on them.
However, I would highly recommend that you speak with the supplier of your flooring or decking material prior to placing any corten steel planters on it to ensure that it is OK. It’s not whether your corten steel planter will have rust liquid run-off. It’s really how much and will it stain the substrate.
Climate, especially rainfall and humidity levels, will impact the rate at which corten steel develops and completes it’s patina process. Even after it has developed it’s patina, it will flake off rust over time. This won’t harm your corten steel as it is a self-sealing material and it will simply develop new rust to fill in the spot that flaked off. If you have any questions about flooring material choice and suitability feel free to call or write me and we can figure it out together.
Below is an image of my sectional corten steel planter panels that I pre-patinaed for a large order. If you’re interested in accelerating your corten steel planter patina let me know and i’ll be happy to share the process I use.
How to Care for Your Corten Steel Planters
What Are Corten Steel Planters?
Corten steel, also known as weathering steel, is an alloy that develops a stable rust-like appearance over time. However, corten steel won’t continue to erode and weaken like regular steel does. The rust layer protects the metal underneath. It’s rugged, organic look complements many landscape styles. The rich, warm tones of the corten steel patina blend beautifully with stone, wood, and greenery.
Corten steel is highly durable and low-maintenance. It can withstand extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, and humidity without sustaining damage.
Corten steel planter beds can be designed in any shape and size, including tiered beds. They can be designed to nurture succulents, trees, flowering plants, vegetables and herbs.
The rustic, rugged patina and high performance of my custom corten steel planters will allow your plants and garden to flourish for many years.Using cutting-edge parametric CAD software, I can help you to design and create anything you want or need includig round corten steel planters.
Why Choose Corten Steel Planters?
As an industrial designer, I strive to create a balance between form and function. One aspect of this it selecting a great material for the project. For outdoor planters, corten steel is a perfect material choice. Corten steel planters can achieve a perfect balance of beauty and performance.
1. Distinct Rustic Appearance
Corten steel, also known as weathering steel, develops a stable rust-like appearance over time due to its chemical composition. This protective layer prevents further corrosion. The result is a rich, textured patina in rich shades of orange and brown. No two planters will look exactly alike, giving steel planter boxes a handcrafted beauty.
2. Highly Durable
These planters can withstand weathering elements more than stainless steel planter boxes, with virtually no maintenance required. They won’t rot, warp, or crack — they resist damage from weather, temperature changes, and fungal growth.
Corten steel planters create a dramatic focal point in any outdoor space. They work well in modern, rustic, minimalist, classic and many other landscape designs. Corten steel planters cost more but they outlast and outperform any other planters.
How to Care for Corten Steel Planters
Caring for your metal planter box properly will help ensure they last for years.
Having built hundreds of corten steel planters for my clients, I’ve confirmed that corten steel planters need zero maintenance. However, if you always want to keep them clean here are some ways you can do that:
1. Cleaning
About once a month, give your planters a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth to remove any built-up dirt or debris. Be sure to avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or steel wool, which can damage the protective rust patina.
2. Drainage
Ensuring your planters have adequate drainage is vital. You can place a few inches of gravel or stones in the bottom of each planter before adding potting soil. This creates an aerated layer for water to flow through and reduces the chance of soil clogging the bottom drain holes. I add laser-cut drainage holes in the bottom of all my outdoor planters.
3. Rust Patina
The rust patina on a corten steel planter box acts as a natural protective coating. To accelerate the corten steel patina, you can spray the planters with a solution of vinegar, table salt and hydrogen peroxide. I’d be happy to share the recipe I use to achieve this with you.
Following these easy care guidelines will help your steel planters looking their best for years. The initial investment in these durable planters will pay off through their longevity and minimal upkeep.
Where to Buy High-Quality Corten Steel Planters
Once you’ve decided corten steel planters are for you, the next step is finding a reputable supplier that offers high-quality, long-lasting products. As someone who has been designing outdoor spaces for years, here are my recommendations for where to buy corten steel planters:
1. Domestic-Made Corten Steel Planter Bed Designers
Check with metal sculpture fabrication shops in your area or online to see if they craft corten steel planters or can make custom pieces for you. Buying locally-made planters supports small businesses in your area and means you can enjoy better communication with the designer so that your planters are exactly as you need.
If you’re based in the U.S., I design, fabricate and sell custom corten steel planters. I work with you directly to create exactly what you need. You’re also assured of a fast turnaround time when you work with me — contact me here .
2. Online Retailers
A handful of websites specialize in weathering steel planters. In addition to contacting me directly, I have an Etsy shop—AvidonDesign—where you see a large number of my custom planters and order one if you’d like. If you’d like to read some Avidon Design customer reviews click here.
Overall, evaluate factors like selection, customization options, cost, lead-time and shipping to determine the best source for you.
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Yes. Corten steel is safe for growing vegetables, fruit and other edible food. Here is a link to an article describing how and why corten steel is a great material for planters. Click Here.
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Yes. I design and build custom planters for each project. I ensure a great fit at all joints and pre-install riv-nuts for super easy assembly. I add oval bolt holes so you have a little wiggle room during assembly. You tighten the bolts firmly once all sections are loosely bolted together. I am always available for a call during assembly if you run into any challenges.
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Yes. I pass along fabrication and shipping cost savings for volume orders. When we speak about your project we can discuss volume pricing.