There's Nothing Like Corten

By Chris Witte at Kingspan Benchmark.

Corten facades are definitely the impact product of the moment here in the UK, but I haven't personally seen it used in other countries yet. We had a question on Twitter the other day about the possibility of sealing Corten facades. I can see why the question has been asked because the rain run-off from the facades can stain other materials and has to be collected using a suitable guttering system. However, the whole point of using Corten is the ever changing appearance of the self-weathering steel as the elements oxidise the surface, building up a natural rust. So sealing it would negate its prime aesthetic benefit. However if you want to prevent the product from weathering, a clear lacquer can be applied to the surface of Corten. This would introduce a maintenance factor; would prevent the different appearances of wet/dry Corten - often a desirable aesthetic and in some circumstances, where the paint film is compromised, excessive localised corrosion can result. Alternatively a solution would be to go for a Euramax EuraDesign 'look alike' Corten finish which wouldn't self-weather. However, there's nothing quite like Corten for impact!

View Chester & Chichester House, our latest Corten Case Study