Corten Steel Raised Beds
£195.00
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- Heavy duty 3mm Corten Steel used as standard
- Stiffeners and braces included in larger planters
- 5 year warranty included
- Planters over 2 meters will be supplied in sections – drawings will be supplied for your approval.
- Please note all of our Corten Steel products are supplied unweathered
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This product is made to order | Current lead time is 6 Weeks
Product Information
Our Corten steel raised garden beds will prove a stunning addition to any garden. Expertly crafted from 3mm Corten weathering steel as standard, these striking and very on trend raised beds are built to last and offer a far superior alternative to wooden raised beds with zero maintenance. The open bottom design allows for excellent drainage making them perfect for creating a beautiful flower bed or growing your own fruit and vegetables.
All of our Metal raised garden beds are fabricated by us here on site here in Cheshire, UK to the highest quality. Some cheaper versions are much less sturdy and are often made of 1.5/2mm steel. If you are in any doubt as to the quality, always check the weight of the product and thickness of the steel. Our raised beds are built to last a lifetime.
Information
| Bottom Lip | 80mm wide as standard |
|---|---|
| Construction | Welded with smooth corners |
| Finish | Unweathered – this product may have began its weathering process on dispatch and will continue to weather for around 6-9 months. |
| Maintenance | Maintenance-free product |
| Material | Genuine Cor-Ten weathering steel – Please refer to the 'About Corten' tab for more information on the material |
| Steel Thickness | 3mm |
| Top Lip | Optional |
About Corten
Please note that we may dispatch a Corten Steel product at any stage of its weathering process.
What is Corten Steel?
Corten steel, which is also known as ‘weathering steel’, is a group of steel alloys that were originally developed to eliminate the need for painting or applying protective coatings to steel surfaces. So, what truly sets Corten Steel apart from its peers? When subjected to atmospheric elements, this remarkable material develops a protective layer resembling rust on its surface. This unique characteristic makes it highly resistant to corrosion.
This innovative material was first brought to life back in the 1930s. Its primary application was within the railroad industry, and it was subsequently patented by the well-known U.S. Steel (USS). Interestingly, the name “COR-TEN” stands for the material’s two primary properties. ‘Cor’ signifies Corrosion Resistance, while ‘Ten’ indicates Tensile Strength.
What is Corten Steel Made of?
Primarily composed of iron and a small amount of carbon, Corten steel sets itself apart due to the inclusion of unique alloying elements: chromium, nickel, copper and added phosphorous which gives the steel its self-protecting properties. A particularly noteworthy feature of this composition is the ability of the materials outer layer to naturally repair itself when subjected to scratches or damage, demonstrating its resilience and longevity.
Is Corten Steel Expensive?
Although Corten steel might come with a higher upfront cost when compared to mild steel, it turns out to be an economical choice in the long run. Given its resilience and low maintenance requirements, your investment in Corten steel recoups itself as time goes by.
Furthermore, when you consider the expenses associated with protecting other sheet metals via processes like painting or galvanizing, the price difference starts to level out, reaffirming the cost-effectiveness of Corten steel.
How does Corten Steel Weather?
One of the fascinating aspects of Corten steel is its weathering process, which typically takes around 6-9 months, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. At the start of the process, the steel develops an orange patina. As time goes on, this turns into a darker brown hue, providing Corten steel its iconic look. It’s important to note that Corten steel requires a cycle of alternating wet and dry conditions to form this protective layer effectively.
Step 1 – Newly created Corten Steel. At this point, a dark, oily coating is visible on the Corten Steel.
Step 2 – The dark coating starts to degrade, marking the start of Corten Steel’s weathering process.
Steps 3 & 4 – The “Run-Off” phase. This stage can take between 3 to 9 months, depending on weather conditions and location.
Steps 5 & 6 – During these final phases of weathering, occasional ‘run-off’ may still occur. Meanwhile, Corten Steel’s patina evolves towards a more uniform and striking appearance.
Where is Corten Steel used?
Corten steel’s unique properties have led to its use across a range of industries, including architecture, construction, and landscape. You’ve probably seen it in the form of large structures like bridges, or even the Angel of the North, a renowned sculpture. But Corten steel isn’t limited to grand structures alone. It’s also become very popular in recent years for creating outdoor garden products such as corten planters, edging, artwork, water features, and street furniture, adding a natural and rustic aesthetic to any outdoor space.
Run-Off
Another significant aspect to understand about Corten steel is the occurrence of ‘run-off’ during the initial stages of its weathering process. ‘Run off’ refers to the rusty water that can drain off from Corten steel, potentially causing staining on the surfaces upon which it is placed.
To ensure that run-off doesn’t become a concern, there are several steps you can take:
- Complete Weathering Before Placement: You could allow the Corten steel product to undergo the complete weathering process and let any run-off occur before positioning it in its final location. If you’re aiming for a more rapid transition, you could apply a weathering treatment to speed up this process.
- Use Protective Layer: Alternatively, you might consider placing the Corten steel product on a slab or other protective material that can be moved or replaced once the product has fully weathered. This acts as a barrier, protecting your surfaces from potential staining.
- Opt for Easily Replaceable Materials: Lastly, you could choose to position the Corten steel product on grass or soil which won’t cause any issues or loose materials such as stone, slate, or wood chippings. These materials can easily be turned over or replaced to eliminate any run-off stains.
The weathering process of this product is integral to it and as such we will not accept any responsibility for damage caused to surrounding materials as a result of run-off.
Delivery
Delivery Information and FAQ’s
How much does it cost?
Due to the heavy nature and size of the products we offer, our delivery charges are based upon the size and weight of a product. Most of our products are dispatched on a pallet with a tail lift offload. Smaller items and longer lengths are usually sent via DX Courier. Delivery charges are calculated in the basket and checkout after entering your postcode and our website is designed to offer you the most cost effective method of delivery.
Why do you charge for delivery?
The delivery charge covers the cost of processing, packing, checking and finally delivering your goods. Every order that we dispatch is processed then either selected from stock, or fabricated to order, quality checked and packaged to ensure it arrives with you in pristine condition. The costs of this process and the materials used are not added into the product cost and we simply charge what is needed to cover our costs.
Where do you deliver to?
We can deliver items all over the UK.
Our website only calculates shipping costs to Mainland UK. The following locations are excluded:-
- Northern Ireland
- Highlands and Scottish Islands
- All Off-Shore are excluded
Please contact us if you require delivery to any of these locations as we may be able to assist.
Unfortunately we are unable to ship internationally.
How long will I wait for my order to be delivered?
For stock items we aim to dispatch within 5-7 working days.
For made-to-order items, our lead times are stated on each product.
Once your order is complete, we will contact you via email to arrange delivery. Please note we do not ship any items until we have your confirmation.
We always endeavour to keep customers updated as to their delivery but once an item leaves us it is in the hands of the delivery company and we cannot be held responsible for any delays in delivery once the item has left us. All customers receiving a pallet delivery can select their preferred delivery date directly with Palletways by using their “book in” service. Tracking is available and customers will be sent a link to the tracking following dispatch of the order.
If items are larger than 2 metres in length then these cannot be shipped on a pallet. We do offer our own delivery service which is charged per mile and is used for items that cannot fit onto a pallet.
Some larger items can be delivered via DX who accept items of this nature (dependent on their overall weight).
I’d like my order to be left in a safe place or with a neighbour if I’m not in. Can you arrange this?
If you advise us of a safe place to leave the item in the event that you are not home, we will pass this information onto the courier. Since our deliveries require a signature; if you do choose to provide a safe place then we cannot accept responsibility for goods once they have been left.
Our Shipping Partners
DX
Our smaller items and lengths over 2 metres are shipped with DX as this is the most cost effective delivery method for such items.
Delivery is a next day service available Monday to Friday only.
Pallet Delivery – Palletways
Most of our items are delivered on a pallet due to weight. We use the Palletways Network for our pallet deliveries.
When an order is dispatched, our clients are usually offered a “book in” service which means that Palletways will contact you directly to book in a suitable delivery date once they have your pallet in their possession.
Deliveries can take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Pallet orders will be dropped kerbside only. We do not offer a two-man delivery service.
Pallet deliveries are not timed and as such usual delivery times are between 9am and 5pm. The tracking will be able to advise you when your order is “Out for Delivery” and Palletways will send a text message advising of a 2 hour delivery slot once the pallet has been loaded for delivery.
Pallets can be left in a customer’s absence if there is a suitable place to do so.
Access for pallet deliveries
Is it important that a 7.5 tonne lorry (or larger) with a tail lift can access your property if pallet delivery of your item(s) is required. Some items can only be delivered on a pallet. We ask our customers to be aware of the access requirements and contact us should they have any queries prior to placing an order.
For more information on pallet deliveries see Rules for delivering your pallet (youtube.com)
Tracking
Once we have dispatched an order (pallets only), we will provide you with a tracking link which will enable you track your delivery. Please note that where more than one item is expected, sometimes the couriers can deliver items separately so please allow a little extra time for additional items to arrive. Please be assured we always ship an order at the same time (unless we have agreed alternative arrangements with you).
General Guarantee – Returns Policy
We hope that all our customers are satisfied with their products. If you are unhappy with your purchase you can return it in perfect condition and in the original packaging within 14 days of purchase for a replacement or full refund (bespoke items are excluded from this unless they are damaged or faulty).
Returns postage will only be refunded if the item is damaged, faulty or if the wrong items have been sent. We do not accept responsibility for damaged or lost parcels on return. Please CONTACT US if you wish to return an item.
We reserve the right to deduct an amount from any refund due should there be any damage to the product caused by you, that makes the product unsaleable. For example, if the product had any obvious signs of use.
Damaged Goods
We go to great lengths to protect our products with protective wrapping and packaging to ensure that your purchase reaches you in perfect condition. In the unlikely event that your goods are damaged on arrival please CONTACT US with a picture of the damage as soon as possible so that we can raise this with our delivery partners and resolve the matter as soon as possible.
If you can see that an item has arrived ‘damaged’ upon delivery, please sign for the item as ‘damaged on arrival’. You must also notify us within 7 days of receipt, so that we may arrange for collection or replacement of the damaged item. Failure to notify us of any damage within 7 days of delivery will mean we are unable to proceed with a claim from our delivery partners and as such any replacements or refunds will be at our sole discretion.
Warranty
This product comes with a 5 year structural warranty.
