Sheet Metal

Zintec Steel has a protective Zinc layer electroplated onto Mild Steel, and it is the cheapest metal that IOTA offers.

For many commercial projects, where cost is of paramount importance, Powder Coated Zintec Steel offers an attractive quality vs. cost relationship – particularly if the environment is relatively protected. 

For unprotected environments, like public realm and streetscapes, it is almost always worth paying a bit more to powder coat onto 1.4003-grade Stainless Steel, rather than Zintec Steel, to enhance longevity and corrosion-resistance.

Aluminium offers similar benefits to 1.4003-grade Stainless Steel, but at a significantly higher cost. Aluminium's premium means that its use is largely limited to specific situations: where Aluminium's triple benefits of corrosion-resistance, longevity – and light weight – combine. 

High-grade Stainless Steels – such as 316-grade [aka 'Marine-grade] – offer unparalleled corrosion-resistance and longevity. However, these steels are extremely expensive; and, when painted, will look like any other metal. Therefore, their use, painted, can only be cost-justified for landscape products where either contractual warranties, and/or the environments, are extreme.

The patina of old Lead is utterly distinctive. Unlike Zinc and Bronze/Brass [which are stiff], Lead's softness also means that embossed/debossed designs are possible.

At the beginning, Zinc's patina resembles old Lead. However, over time, Zinc will become generally lighter, with increasing levels of tonal variation and highlights – and characteristic 'white-ish' zinc oxide highlights will start to come through.

Bronze and Brass start with a general background patina of warm brown and gold. Over time, the metals will become generally darker, with increasing levels of tonal variation and highlights – and eventually some green tones will start to show through.