Materials
Which metal is right depends on where it lives, what it holds and how it needs to age. A short guide to the materials we work in.
Steel
Mild and hot-rolled steel is the workhorse and the default for anything structural — driveway gates, stair stringers, posts and pergola frames. Strong, economical, quick to weld, and it takes powder coat well. It rusts, so exterior steel is always coated, and near the water it is galvanised first.
Stainless Steel
304 for interiors, 316 anywhere salt reaches. Stainless is the answer when rust is not an option — kitchens, waterfront railings, pool surrounds, marine exposure. It costs more per kilo and more to fabricate, and the finish choice matters as much as the grade.
Aluminum
A third the weight of steel and it will not rust. That makes it the right call for wide automated gates, rooftop and balcony work, and anything you would rather never maintain. Softer than steel, so long structural spans still want a steel frame.
Brass
Expensive, slow to work, and unmatched where the metal itself is the finish. We use solid brass — never plated — for hardware, handrails, bar fronts, fireplace trim and feature work, usually on a steel structure underneath.
Corten Steel
Weathering steel that grows its own protective patina and needs no coating at all. Planters, privacy screens, facades and signage. It stains whatever sits beneath it for the first year, which is manageable if it is designed for and a problem if it is not.
Glass and Metal
Steel frames with glass infill — partitions, internal doors, shower screens and guards. Steel holds a large pane in a slimmer section than any other frame material, which is the entire reason the look exists. Glass type is set by code, not preference.
Wood and Metal
Steel structure, timber surface. Tables, treads, shelving, benches and cladding. The craft is in the fixings: wood moves through the year and steel does not, so the joint has to hold firmly while letting the timber breathe.
Free in-house consultation
We come to you, measure the site, and talk through options and budget before you commit to anything. No charge, no obligation.
Call (778) 805-5333 or email sales@trussmetal.com