Legs for Outdoor Commercial Use
Material Selection
For commercial outdoor use, we suggest choosing a base material that is durable in its own right and does not rely on a finish or coating to protect over its life.
Stainless Steel
As the name suggests, choosing an inert steel such as 316 stainless will ensure corrosion is unable to form regardless of the coating chosen.
In many situations, stainless steel is finished "Raw" with brushing or vibro techniques.
Not all steels are the same. If a product just says "steel," it's likely "carbon" or "mild" steel, which can rust in less than a day without a protective coating. Also, choosing the wrong type of "stainless steel" can lead to faster than expected corrosion. For outdoor use, we recommend using at least 316 grade stainless steel.
Aluminium
Aluminium is a great base metal for commercial grade outdoor furniture. It will not corrode, even in harsh environments, and accepts coatings well. Generally aluminium is finished in a powdercoat painted for outdoor use.
Zinc Coatings
Zinc can be applied to steel in different ways. It can provide a durable coating over steel suitable for outdoor use. Street lights and motorway central reservations are usually a zinc coated steel.
Zinc acts as a "self-healing sacrificial anode". This means that the zinc will corrode before the base metal, protecting the base metal in the process.
Galvanising
Hot dip galvanising is most common, where steel is dipped into a 450°C molten zinc solution, forming a durable alloy coating which is highly resistant to corrosion.
The most durable finish, but also the most industrial. While sometimes used on large pieces of furniture it is very rarely used on more intricate parts.
Zinc Paints
Outdoor powder coat paints and undercoats can contain zinc particles. This improves the corrosion resistance of the paint and adds a self healing property to repair any minor scratches. They are also offer better adhesion to the base metal.
Electroplating
While this is technically more of a decorative finish, it can be used as a less industrial version of galvanising. Over time, the bright silver finish will turn into a more subtle grey, but the underlying steel will remain protected.
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