Want to add some green to a small space? Want to add planters to a balcony or roof terrace? Want plants but don’t want them getting out of control? You need a metal planter!
Planters are perfect for gardening without a garden, for maximising limited space or ensuring your can take your plants with you when you move.
Metal planters are also useful in commercial spaces. You’ll see them a lot in beer gardens, holding topiary outside shops and cafes and by the doors of many upmarket hotels.
While metal isn’t the only material you can use for planters, it has the most character and is easily the most versatile.
Here’s a breakdown of the 4 most popular metals used for planters.
Aluminium planters
Aluminium is a very lightweight and robust metal. It also resists corrosion and is readily available in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colours.
Aluminium planters can come in a range of colours and finishes, from the polished metal we typically associated with aluminium to matt black, grey and almost any colour you like.
Aluminium planters work well because they can take a lot of punishment while retaining their look. They are also light enough to offset the usually heavy weight of soil and the plant.
Galvanised steel planters
Galvanised steel is another very popular material for planters. Thanks to the tough zinc coating, galvanised steel is incredibly robust and can shrug off the worst of the British climate.
If the area is going to be visible, galvanised steel planters are definitely worth considering. They may cost a little more than standard steel, but will keep looking good for much longer.
Galvanised steel is stain, weather and corrosion resistant. That makes them perfect for outdoor use. Steel is also incredibly robust, so is ideal for high traffic areas or where softer materials may be damaged.
Corten steel planters
Corten steel planters are relatively new to the scene but look amazing. These are the rust-coloured planters you often see at flower shows, show homes and some new commercial buildings.
Corten steel has a thin layer of rust on the outside. Even though it looks old and worn, that layer of rust provides a similar protection as zinc does on galvanised steel. The steel is protected from the elements and daily use, so should look amazing for longer.
Corten steel planters are ideal for areas where you want to make a statement. They come in all shapes and sizes and deliver amazing aesthetics, which is why it’s so popular.
Zinc planters
Zinc planters are equally popular and can be seen across the country. They are as flexible and easy to use as any of these other materials while also being weatherproof and stain-resistant.
Zinc planters can often be found outside bistros or hotels where metal with a little more of a refined aesthetic is required. The zinc coating protects the material underneath and will mottle subtly over time, giving an aged look.
As zinc comes in a range of colours, shapes and sizes, it’s an excellent material to use to build planters for almost any use.
Each metal has its own unique look and its own pros and cons. All are perfectly suitable for use outdoors, can cope with high traffic areas and handle the great British weather.
If you’re looking for a metal planter that can survive anything the world can throw at it, one of these will do!