According to Andrew Duff, co-chair of the Society of Gardener Designers, in 2023, our gardens are going to have to work much harder to respond to the effects of climate change and support sustainable gardening practices.
So it seems sustainable gardening is now more important than ever within the industry.
After analysing Google Trends, industry-leading designer and supplier of decorative garden metal fencing and screens, Stark & Greensmith, backed this point up by discovering that the search term ‘Sustainable Gardens’ has increased by 495% over the past month.
Combining this surge in searches and sustainable landscaping predicted as a 2023 gardening trend, Stark & Greensmith, have explained the benefits of Corten steel for your garden in 2023.
Martine Le Gassick, a creative director at Stark & Greensmith discusses the positive sustainable impacts of Corten steel as well as its economical advantages.
“Although there’s a constant push for composite materials to be used in our garden designs due to the fact they are made from recycled materials, we need to remember that these are designed to be durable, not always 100% recyclable.
That’s where bespoke Corten steel takes over.
Corten steel is a rusting carbon heavy mild steel, which forms a protective patina, protecting the substrate within, meaning it can withstand all weather conditions for many years without deteriorating.
And, unlike composite products, Corten steel is made up of recycled steel which is 100% recyclable at the end of its life. An affordable and sustainable outdoor garden design, bespoke Corten steel products also do not involve any hazardous materials in their fabrication. Making it an environmentally friendly option that can last a lifetime.
An option for all year round, Corten steel has a high resistance to corrosion and weather – up to 8 times higher than common carbon steel, which makes it particularly suitable for outdoor use. One of its many positive features is its ability to naturally oxidise, forming a protective coat that prevents further rusting. This presents long term durability. With the protective rust that provides corrosion resistance, Corten steel can last upwards of a few decades to over 100 years, making it a particularly good sustainable option.
Using Corten steel also reduces the environmental impacts associated with emissions from paint coatings and cleaning functions required with painting as it requires no maintenance at all. This positions Corten steel as a sustainable product that provides a range of LEED certifications.
Because of this, long term savings are further shown by the material’s durability and general strength. Utilising the protective nature of this material eliminates the expensive costs associated with painting, maintenance and other repair costs. This is particularly helpful during the current cost of living crisis across the UK.
Periodic cleaning and inspection should be the only maintenance required when using exposed weathering steel. Periodic cleaning consists of rinsing the rusted surfaces with water to clear off any natural debris or contamination. If applied properly, strong rains can provide regular cleaning to the weathering steel members. In addition, scratches and dings are benefited by the oxide structure and will heal through their own natural development without the need for replacement.
Using steel for garden screening enhances safety and privacy, while also bringing extra security advantages in the process.
While composite material can be an excellent fencing material for homeowners, its durability depends on the manufacturer. The material that the manufacturer uses will determine how much damage it can take before it shows. And it’ll also impact how strong it is against the wind and weather.
In terms of long-term durability, Corten Steel screens offers maximum performance. It can take hard knocks and its panels have no water absorption and will not rot or splinter because of its excellent resistance to the elements of weather and insects.”
Alex Withers/Stark & Greensmith