Aluminium is an exceptionally useful and versatile metal for planter manufacture.
All our aluminium manufacture is to-order and to your specification, and we do not hold in stock a standard range of shapes and sizes.
The key benefits of Aluminium, which can in certain circumstances make it a preferred material for planter fabrication, are that it does not corrode when exposed to the elements, and it has a higher strength:weight ratio than steel. It is however about 30% more expensive than powder coated steel.
Aluminium planters can be supplied ‘raw’ (without any external paint or coating), and develop a naturally weathered, often pitted appearance which will last outdoors for decades without maintenance. However, we generally apply a clear lacquer coat, which means the silvery-grey unweathered appearance can be retained, at no detriment to longevity. The photographs on this page show a planter with this clear coat.
Aluminium planters can also be supplied powder coated in any RAL shade, or in one of the many special powder coat finishes available. Powder coated aluminium and steel look, and perform, essentially the same; but aluminium will not corrode if the surface paint finish is scratched through to bare metal. Thus, for heavily-trafficked areas, the additional cost of powder coated aluminium over steel can be justified, if a long Design Life Performance is desired.
For more information about the relative merits of Aluminium and steel, see our article https://www.iotagarden.com/specifiers-area/steel-vs-aluminium-which-metal-should-I-specify/
IOTA custom-manufactures aluminium planters in the UK, in any shape or size, from simple geometric shapes to complex architectural designs. CAD models can also be generated for approval against a design brief.
