How to design uniqueness with predictability

Naturally, you want to make a COR-TEN® façade look as good as possible during the years. Since COR-TEN® is self-protecting it needs no regular attention or maintenance, as is the case for almost all other façade materials.

The perfect patina

The speed of change and the final color of the steel depend on the atmospheric conditions of a site and the surrounding air quality. Sulfur dense atmospheres will speed up the oxidation process and result in a darker patina. Frequent cycles of wet and dry weather conditions will also speed up oxidation.

  • The patina that protects the steel and gives it its distinctive color is formed when COR-TEN® is subjected to alternating wet and dry conditions.
  • To maintain an even color, it’s recommended that water can run off freely and not stay on the surface.
  • In a sheltered location with damp conditions, COR-TEN® may not adopt the intended color and protective patina.
  • Direct contact with earth, snow or vegetation also might affect the color. Therefore COR-TEN® is not recommended for building foundations or socle walls.
  • COR-TEN® is sometimes perforated for aesthetic purposes. In these cases, it’s possible that run-off from these holes can affect the color of the patina.

Installing COR-TEN®

  • COR-TEN® is very resilient when coming in contact with most other materials. A word of caution is to avoid prolonged contact with wood, copper or other noble metals, chemicals or de-icing salts.
  • When installing COR-TEN® on a building, ensure a free airflow together with water running off freely and moisture escaping from the metal’s surfaces and back side. Ventilation space should be full-length and at least 30 mm in width.
  • Before installation, COR-TEN® should be stored in dry conditions to ensure a similar patina formation on all steel plates.
  • Use screws of acid proof stainless steel in screw connections and EPDM or neoprene gasket to avoid galvanic corrosion.
  • For best result, remove welding splashes or any other impurities from the surface.
  • Best practice in the case of lap joints is to avoid direct contact between steel surfaces and leave a ventilation gap between steel sheets.
Best practice in the case of lap joints is to avoid direct contact between steel surfaces and leave a ventilation gap between steel sheets. Use screws of acid proof stainless steel in screw connections and EPDM or neoprene gasket to avoid galvanic corrosion.

Designing uniqueness with predictability

Bend it. Perforate it. Mix it. There are endless opportunities to bring a natural beauty to the environment it is located in. COR-TEN® steel is now becoming the trend setting material in all aspects of architecture. Buildings that use COR-TEN® steel have been rewarded many times over for innovative and sustainable design.

Profiling COR-TEN® steel sheet

With COR-TEN® steel it’s easy to create a dynamic façade appearance. The shape of the profiling is up the architect’s desire, allowing daylight to play with the shadows for an ever-changing look, with artificial lights adding life during dark hours.

Perforated COR-TEN® steel panels

COR-TEN® weathering steel sheets can be perforated in any way you like. Create your design using round, square, rectangular holes, customized texts, logos and images. Anything is possible. Backlighting your creation will accentuate your design even further.

Mixing COR-TEN® steel

COR-TEN® steel lends itself perfectly to mixing with other building materials. Contrast the deep brown patina of COR-TEN® in any shape you like with concrete, bricks or wood for a unique and eye-catching façade.
Patina formation process

Apply nature

At first, the steel begins to rust in the same fashion as any other carbon steel, when exposed to wet and dry weather conditions. However, as time passes, the rust layer transforms into a dense patina layer, sealing-off the steel surface, resisting further corrosion. The color changes from fresh, newly developed orange-brown, to light and eventually dark brown. The speed of change and the final color of the steel depend on the atmospheric conditions of a site and the surrounding air quality. Sulfur dense atmospheres will speed up the oxidation process and result in a darker patina. Frequent cycles of wet and dry weather conditions will also speed up oxidation.

COR-TEN® in architecture

Audenasa Headquarters

Two concrete slabs wrap the steel lattice COR-TEN® Steel to the South and reused tire blocks to the North. The image of the set aims to establish close links to infrastructures linked to movement and transport …

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Amsterdam Klaprozenweg

The owners of this home on Klaprozenweg in Amsterdam-Noord wanted a robust, durable and affordable home. Inspired by the industrial character of the environment …

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Hackney Backhouse

A new family home for a constrained back garden site in a Hackney Conservation Area. The house has a refined materials palette of ochre brickwork, anodised aluminium windows, COR-TEN® steel …

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