COR-TEN® FAQ
COR-TEN® steel is what’s commonly known as a weathering steel.
It’s a steel alloy with copper, chromium and nickel that oxidises to give a beautiful orange tone that’s often referred to as ‘rusty steel’ developed to eliminate the need for painting.
This naturally beautiful sunset steel is long lasting and sustainable with a lifespan that exceeds any other steel making it a desired choice for many architectural projects. It provides a far superior resistance to atmospheric corrosion due to it’s protective layer known as a ‘patina’.
Most notably recognised in a contemporary sculpture by Antony Gormley known as ‘The Angel of the North’, COR-TEN® has two distinguishing properties; corrosion resistant and tensile strength leading to the name COR-TEN®.
Points to note
- COR-TEN® Steel is a durable, weathering steel that develops a warm, rust-coloured patina over time. However, unlike rust this patina is non-corrosive and doesn’t affect the steel’s integrity.
- Unless specified your COR-TEN® product will arrive un-weathered and will visually appear as a steely grey/blue finish with a slight patina or oily residue.
- Once your product arrives you should unpack it immediately to ensure that any moisture between the packaging is not sealed. Failure to do so may result in an irregular finish to your item.
- The corrosion process may take in the region of 6-12 months for your COR-TEN® product to reach a fully weathered effect. During this period of time your product may stain patios, decking, clothing and general surfaces they come in direct contact with.
- To maintain an even colour it is recommended that water can run freely from the surface.
- In a sheltered environment your COR-TEN® product may not adopt the intended colour and protective patina. Direct contact with earth, snow or vegetation may also affect the colour and it is therefore not recommended for building foundations. Prolonged contact with wood, copper, chemicals or de-icing salts is not advised.
- COR-TEN® can be perforated for aesthetic purposes. In these cases, it is possible that run-off from these holes can affect the colour of the patina.
- Once fully weathered your product may still produce a slight colour run off, however this will be minimal.
- We do not provide a warranty on the lifespan of your COR-TEN® Steel product.
No material warranty is offered as the lifespan of your product is based on its location and environmental surroundings. For further information on COR-TEN® Steel please refer to the manufacturers technical data sheet (this can be supplied upon request). - Our products are fully inspected prior to dispatch for delivery. Your product will be loaded onto the designated delivery vehicle using a forklift truck and should be offloaded by the same means. Should you choose not to unload your goods by forklift truck you shall be held responsible for any damage caused whilst unloading. All products are fully inspected prior to dispatch. Photographic evidence is taken of all goods, wrapped and loaded on the pallet prior to dispatch, copies of which will be supplied to you.
We shall endeavour to use metal ends and fragile stickers where necessary.
- All deliveries must be inspected by you whilst still on the designated transport vehicle. Any defects found must be reported immediately by calling the telephone number on the pallet and delivery must be refused. Once delivery has been refused you must then complete the Comments Section on the transportation driver’s notes.
Do not unload the goods if the pallet is damaged. By offloading the goods from the vehicle, you are accepting liability.
- When a third-party courier is used we cannot guarantee specific delivery slots. We will pass on your requested delivery slot however we cannot guarantee the courier will fulfil these requests. We will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by yourself or your company for goods not received in your requested time slot.
- When the goods have been delivered, you shall verify them in the manner prescribed by sound business practice and in accordance with the points raised above in our Delivery Clause 11. Claims regarding any faults in the goods shall be made in writing, specifying the nature and extent of the fault. Claims regarding any fault in the goods caused by damage during transportation shall be addressed directly to the carrier.
- We do not instruct nor advise you how to fit your product.
