Login

Cart

Your cart is empty

Corten steel in the garden


Corten steel has become a popular choice in modern gardens – and for good reason. The material combines a raw, architectural look with high durability and minimal maintenance. On this page, you will find a comprehensive overview of what corten steel is, how it develops over time, and how it is best used in the garden.

This page serves as a knowledge and inspiration hub, where you can easily explore guides and concrete solutions made from corten steel.

What is corten steel?

Corten steel is a special type of structural steel designed to rust in a controlled way. When exposed to wind and weather, a dense rust patina forms on the surface. This patina protects the underlying steel and makes the material extremely weather-resistant.

Unlike ordinary steel, which continues to corrode over time, the rusting process in corten steel stops naturally once the protective patina has formed.

👉 Read more here: What is corten steel?

Why choose corten steel in the garden?

Corten steel is widely used in gardens because it:

  • creates a warm, natural and timeless appearance
  • works beautifully with plants, wood, stone and concrete
  • requires minimal maintenance
  • lasts for many years – even in a Nordic climate

The material is particularly well suited for permanent garden elements where both aesthetics and durability matter.

Patination and rust – what should you know?

When corten steel is new, it has a raw, grey steel surface. Over time, it develops its characteristic rust colour. The patination process happens gradually and depends on weather conditions, placement and moisture.

It is completely normal for rust runoff to occur during the initial phase, until the patina has stabilised. This is an important and natural part of the material’s development.

👉 Read more in the guide: How can corten steel last when it rusts?

Placement on paving and wooden terraces

Corten steel can be used on both paving stones and wooden terraces – but correct placement is important.

During the initial patination phase, rust runoff may cause staining of the surface underneath. Therefore, it is recommended to:

  • create distance between the product and the surface
  • use the correct base construction
  • pay extra attention when placing on light-coloured paving or wood

👉 Read the guide: Corten steel on terraces and paving – how to avoid rust stains

Maintenance and lifespan

One of the major advantages of corten steel is that it is virtually maintenance-free. Once the patina has formed, it protects the steel against further corrosion.

There is generally no need for:

  • painting
  • oiling
  • surface treatment

This makes corten steel an ideal choice for both private gardens and larger projects where long lifespan is essential.

Corten steel products for the garden

Corten steel is used in many different garden elements. At byJEMA, you will find, among others:

These solutions can be combined across products to create a coherent and harmonious garden design.

Selected corten steel products

Below are some selected corten steel products that demonstrate how the material is used in practice, covering planting, edging and terrain:

These products serve as examples of how corten steel can be used in both small and large outdoor spaces.

Further reading and inspiration

If you would like to explore the material and its applications in more depth, you can also read:

These articles provide deeper insight into both technical aspects, usage and design.

Examples of how our customers use corten steel in the garden

kundebillede-maria-a1

Corten steel – a conscious choice

Corten steel is not just a material, but a conscious choice of aesthetics, quality and durability. Whether you are working with a small garden or a larger outdoor space, corten steel allows you to create solutions that last – both visually and technically.

This page is your starting point for everything about corten steel in the garden.

Your product is being configured

Please wait