Coating and Finishes
All of our Mild Steel products are galvanized as standard, at no extra cost. This allows us to offer our 10 year no rust guarantee, safe in the knowledge your balcony will be rust free far longer.
Hot Dip Galvanizing offers you long-term protection against rust and corrosion of steel products. Hot dip galvanizing is a process developed to prevent steel from corroding.
Hot dip zinc plating protects the underlying steel from exposure to corrosion from moisture, oxygen, and chemicals. It significantly extends the lifespan of the coated metal, even in the harshest environments. ‘Hot dip galvanizing’ provides a superior protection to that of electro galvanising which is more suited to indoor or sheltered areas. We work with Wedge Group.
Galvanization adds a slight texture to the steel which is lightly buffed and sanded before powder coating however this means it’s impossible to achieve a ‘car bonnet’ finish and you may notice some unevenness under the paint surface. If you are looking for a perfectly smooth finish, we would recommend checking out our 316 marine grade stainless-steel range instead
What is Powder Coating?
This is a paint treatment which offers an alternative to wet paint. It is a dry process that involves applying a polyester paint powder to the metal work using a spray gun. The spray gun applies an electrostatic charge to the powder particles which are attracted to the metal. The powder is then melted and cured in an oven.
The benefits of powder coating over wet paint are:
- More durable and more resistant to many corrosive chemicals and weather
- More resistant to chipping and scratching
- A more even, smooth finish without runs or drip
- Colour tends to stay bright and fresh longer
- Faster drying time, meaning quicker lead times
Maintaining your balcony
If you’re opting for a ‘galvanization’ only finish with no paint work, they will need very little ongoing care however as it’s not a decorative finish, the bright and shiny appearance will soon dull to a grey or white matte appearance.
Powder coated finishes require a little bit of care to keep them looking fresh. Over time, chips and damage will appear in the paint work as it perishes (which sadly is an unavoidable natural process), but this can easily be repaired with a colour-matched spray or brushed paint.
You should clean every 6-12 months with a soft cloth and mild detergent to keep your paintwork looking fresh- dish soap will do the trick!
Glass balconies can be cleaned and cared for in the same way as your building’s windows.
Your stainless steel rails should be cleaned every few months with a wet soft cloth and mild detergent to avoid ‘tea staining’.
Please note: Do not weld, cut, drill, or grind steel near stainless or galvanized steel. Resulting particles will contaminate stainless steel and lead to rust.