Metal might not be the first material you think of when designing for landscape architecture. It often has a reputation for being cold and industrial. However, metal is already a key component in many residential and commercial landscapes, whether as bold features or subtle accents.

So, why should you embrace metal in your landscape design? The answer lies in the way it compliments vegetation, its extreme durability, and lack of maintenance. Metal offers a bold, crisp edge that beautifully offsets the softness of plants, adding depth and interest to your space. It also expands your hardscape palette beyond the usual greys of concrete or whites of walls. Metal is a versatile neutral that can tie your design together.

Custom metalwork, while stunning, can sometimes be a significant investment. But don’t let that deter you—there are plenty of creative and cost-effective ways to incorporate metal into your landscape without going over-budget, especially when factoring in the total life-cycle cost of natural metals.

Ready to explore the possibilities? Let’s dive into the many ways metal can elevate your outdoor design, turning it into a space that’s not just functional, but truly unforgettable.

Corten Awning & Trellis

Weathering steel, also known by its trade name “Corten” or “Cor-ten” is an incredible material for the outdoors. If is specified at a proper thickness and designed to prevent bleeding on steel, it can endure for decades. This longevity and bold aesthetic makes it an ideal choice for landscape elements, such as awnings, trellis, pergolas and more.

Corten Stair & Railing

Weathering steel, often chosen for its rugged resilience and natural beauty, is an ideal material for landscape railing and stair guardrails. The distinctive weathered look of corten blends harmoniously with outdoor environments, from urban gardens to natural landscapes. Its low maintenance and long-lasting durability make weathering steel a sustainable choice for exterior applications, adding both strength and style to railings and guardrails.

Corten Steel Retaining Walls

Beyond aesthetics, corten retaining walls are highly practical, providing the necessary structural support for soil retention while seamlessly integrating into both modern and rustic design settings. Their robustness and longevity make them an ideal choice for creating terraces, managing slopes, or defining spaces within a garden, all while adding an element of architectural interest that matures gracefully over time.

Metal Water Features

Metal systems are one of the perfect ways to deliver a water feature. Copper and stainless steel are ideal for areas where the water has frequent direct contact, and weathering steel with DMD’s preweathering system makes an ideal exterior face.

Weathering Steel Signage

In commercial landscapes, signage is often required to point people in the right direction. Cor-ten steel signage is not only aesthetically-pleasing but can also withstand outdoor elements better than other signage materials. Weathering steel also mixes well with other materials, such stainless steel, wood and stone, to create just the right rustic, contemporary look.

Corten Steel Wall & Fencing

Walls and fences act as bold architectural statements within the landscape, providing privacy and defining the boundaries of the space. The vertical orientation of the steel panels adds a sense of height and structure, while the rich, weathered tones of the corten steel harmonize with the natural surroundings.

Corten Steel Retaining Edges:

Low, weathering steel landscape edges create a clear separation between the walkway and the planting beds. These retaining edges are both functional and aesthetic, holding back soil while introducing a warm, rustic tone that contrasts beautifully with the vibrant greenery. The natural rust patina of corten steel evolves over time, adding character and depth to the landscape.

The desirable orange-brown patina that cor-ten steel develops over time blends beautifully into all outdoors spaces making it a great solution for defining spaces and keeping landscapes looking neat and tidy.

Weathering Steel Partitions

Corten steel landscape screens provide privacy and delineate different areas within the landscape. These elements serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, acting as vertical features that define space, create visual interest, and add a contemporary, industrial aesthetic to the landscape design.

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Gallery of Weathering Steel & other Metals for Landscape Architecture

Below is a gallery of work showcasing weathering steel, copper, zinc, and blackened stainless steel used in context of the architectural landscape.