Tools & Tips

How will this weather outside?

This is the number one question our customers ask.

Let’s discuss the different materials that we carry, and talk about their care/reaction to the outdoors.

Aluminum: is remarkable for its ability to resist corrosion/rust!  Statuary cast in Aluminum will hold up extremely well to the outdoors.  Aluminum is also lighter in weight than many other metals. Most cast aluminum pieces are finished in a verdigris finish. Aluminum is an excellent choice for outdoor use.

Copper: Pure copper is rather soft and malleable, and a freshly-exposed surface has a pinkish or peachy color. Copper does not react with water, but it slowly reacts with atmospheric oxygen forming a layer of brown-black copper oxide, this oxide layer stops the further, bulk corrosion. A green layer of copper carbonate, called verdigris, can often be seen on old constructions. Many people love the copper finish.  You can apply a lacquer to your copper piece to prevent the oxidation that would naturally occur.  This metal holds up very well to the coppe outdoors.

Brass: An alloy of copper and zinc. Brass has a muted yellow color, somewhat similar to gold. It is relatively resistant to tarnishing. Brass hardware is generally lacquered when new, which prevents tarnishing of the metal for a few years when located outside (and indefinitely when located indoors). After this most manufacturers recommend that the lacquer be removed (e.g. with paint stripper) and the items regularly polished to maintain a bright finish. Unlacquered brass weathers more attractively than brass with deteriorated lacquer, even if polishing is not carried out. Freshly polished brass is similar to gold in appearance, but becomes more reddish within days of exposure to the elements.

Iron; Is by far the most common metal used for everyday use. Cast Iron is simply that, iron that has been cast into statuary or pottery.  Iron does rust when it reacts to water.  Once again, this process of rusting can be slowed down by applying outdoor paint or clear coat to the finish.  If you have a piece that has become very rusty, you can have the rust sandblasted off, and apply a new painted finish.

Powder Coated Metal:  Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder to the metal. The coating is typically applied electro statically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin." Powder coating protects the metal from water which slows down the formation of rust.

Cast Stone: Cast stone is a masonry product, used to make statuary, benches and planters. Cast stone can be made from white and/or grey cements, manufactured or natural sands, carefully selected crushed stone or well graded natural gravels and mineral coloring pigments to achieve the desired color and appearance while maintaining durable physical properties. Each of the companies I buy from, have their own unique formula giving their products a specific “look”. Each of the Cast stone is an excellent replacement for natural cut limestone, brownstone, sandstone, bluestone, granite, slate, coral rock, travertine and other natural building stones. However, cast stone does require winter protection in a frost freeze environment. Cast stone birdbaths and fountains need to be emptied and covered over the winter. Statuary and planters should not be allowed to freeze to the ground. Cast stone costs less then granite which makes it more appealing to many shoppers.

Granite: is a common and widely occurring type of igneous rock. Granites can be pink to dark gray or even black, depending on their chemistry and mineralogy. Granite is hard and tough, and therefore it has gained popularity with those customers who want to set the piece out in the yard and not have to worry about it.

Resin; is a natural or synthetic compound which begins in a highly viscous state and hardens with treatment. Typically, resin is not soluble in water. There are a number of different classes of resin, depending on exact chemical composition and potential uses. There are numerous applications for resins. We sell many statues and pots that are made of resin. Most of the resins we carry are suitable for outdoor use. It has been my experience that resin can fade from the sunlight. The beauty of resin is it is less expensive than many of the other materials we have talked about, and when cast it maintains great detail.

Garden Specialties Link Exchange