Trend Spotting

Weathering Steel and Modular Wood Panels Offer New Distinctive Looks for Residential, Commercial and Public Landscapes Projects

by Nina A. Koziol If you’ve walked the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail in Lockport, Joliet or LaSalle, you’ve probably seen the rusty looking steel silhouettes of men, women, children and animals. They’re made of weathering steel, best known as cor-ten, the same material as the Chicago Picasso sculpture and the exterior of the Daley Center.

Cor-Ten® is the United States Steel Corporation’s trade name for a corrosion-resistant steel used where higher strength and a longer life material is desired. Made from a group of steel alloys, the material eliminates the need for painting and, when exposed to weather, begins to rust, forming a colorful protective coating that slows the rate of future corrosion.

Cor-Ten has found its way into the design lexicon of landscape architects looking for something new and different. Hana Ishikawa is the design principal at Site Design Group, Ltd. in Chicago. She’s used weathering steel in different projects. “It’s a pretty material and it’s typically used in a very industrial application—it evokes rough steel.” It’s been used for planters, decorative privacy panels, sculpture, edging and backdrops for fire pits, seating and borders.

In the past, rusted metal was considered avoidable and undesirable (think=tetanus shot). But now, landscapers and designers are more appreciative of the material, especially for use in contemporary gardens. Ishikawa, however, laments that when some people think of weathering steel, the first thing that comes to mind are bridges. But the material offers an aesthetic beyond its typical industrial use. “It’s beautiful,” she says. “Anything that patinas is so interesting and I do hope to see more uses of it. This idea that it’s only meant for bridges or industrial use has to go.”

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Heavy Metal

Ishikawa worked on the Mary Bartelme Park project on Chicago’s West Side. “We used a lot of metals there including weathering steel. It reflects what once was a very industrial neighborhood. We also have stainless steel sculptures and water fountains, steel and aluminum fencing, and powder-coated steel furnishings.”

While you can make Cor-Ten steel rust more quickly, it can’t be painted or galvanized. “That patina is actually important—it makes it stronger. It doesn’t need to be repainted or finished and it makes a lot of sense in a very industrial application. I don’t know if there’s a trend per se, but it’s one of the most durable materials on public grounds, even on private grounds,” Ishikawa said. “It holds up to weather and doesn’t decay. It can withstand a lot of abuse in public grounds.” Although it’s not suitable for outdoor furnishings, a low Cor-Ten steel wall at Bartelme Park allows children to draw on it with chalk. Why used weathered metal there? “We are constantly looking to other disciplines and new collaborators for unique ideas, new materials, and leading-edge technologies to improve the way we work and play.” (continued on page 108)

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What type of client might gravitate to the rusty industrial look? “It’s like exposed concrete that’s used in some interiors—the look depends on the demographics [of the client].” And that may mean younger or urban clients who may enjoy a chic, contemporary look more than older ones who seek something more traditional. “For residential applications—as long as the client is interested in material that patinas and changes over time, and is aware that’s the aesthetic they’re going for it definitely fits. I’ve seen fencing in weathering steel that blends with the background a bit more, too.”

For now, Ishikawa says, it’s a toss up between the demand for stainless steel and weathering steel. “We can use laser cut or saw cut weathering steel and you can use it just like any other steel. We’ve done stainless steel edging that blends with the earth—raised beds or flush to hold in sod or gravel.” The biggest factor with weathering steel is the cost. “It’s more expensive than regular steel or aluminum. I still think within the design community it’s a really respected material—the large weathering steel artworks or mid-century architecture. You have to be within the design community to appreciate it.”

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Pre-Fab Wood Panels

When you can’t find someone to custom build wood screens or panels, you can turn to online or big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowes, which offer OUTDECO’s (outdecousa.com) prefabricated wood panels made from Australian hardwood. (All panels are made of a weather-proof engineered hardwood composite material and come with a 10 year warranty.)

“Landscapers design-build with artistry and style in mind and we craft OUTDECO modular panels to reinforce their vision,” said Steve Sawyer, vice president of sales. “We have many designs and our privacy and focal point solutions fit seamlessly into most projects. They help to create functional space combined with high design. At the same time, our environmentally friendly panels offer a lower cost ‘green’ alternative to expensive metal options.” The wood panels come in a variety of sizes and installers can modify, cut, color or miter them. A “conceal” edge hides the framework for a consistent look. “The material is suitable for all North American weather conditions and has proven to last 30-plus years outdoors,” Sawyer said. “The panels come with a semi-transparent dark stain pre-applied for color. The semi-transparent color will patina similar to teak furniture to a beautiful silver tone outdoors. We recommend a solid stain at the time of install for a long 10 to 20 year effect if no color change is preferred.”

For landscape contractors, Sawyer says, “We typically point customers to purchase from SiteOne, Horizon and SCP Landscape centers. We also provide a contractor direct program for times when our dealers are not convenient. (continued on page 114)

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Our smaller sizes are available on homedepot.com, lowes.com and Wayfair. com. Our program is readily available to ship within days and features designs to compliment most projects.”

Ideas Galore

If you’re stumped for design ideas or applications, consider using decorative wood or metal panels as privacy screens, a focal point in the garden, stand-alone and wall trellis panels, raised beds, planter boxes, edging, fencing, decorative panels attached to a wall or fence, pergolas, arbors or stand-alone sculpture. For inspiration, check out “landscape panels” or “Cor-Ten landscape” on social media sites like Houzz, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.