| Boundary walls can dominate a garden, particularly | | | | prevailing winds, and the sea salts, are directed at |
| if your outdoors is a small area. Decorating the | | | | your property. |
| garden wall with stylish accessories can certainly | | | | 5. It is possible to purchase a quality garden art |
| have a dramatic, and instant, effect on the overall | | | | piece that is made from mild steel providing it has |
| feel of a garden. | | | | been properly galvanised and powder coated. You |
| While there are various design strategies to | | | | may then get more than 25 years life from you |
| improving your garden walls there is one approach | | | | garden wall art. Galvanising and powder coating |
| that is gaining more popularity for those who | | | | process requires skill and is often reflected in the |
| enjoy home and garden improvements with | | | | price. |
| garden accessories: mounting metal art to garden | | | | 6. Some artists choose to allow the oxidisation |
| walls. If you have decided that metal wall art is | | | | process to occur as it adds character to the form |
| the right solution for your garden it is advised that | | | | and colour of the art. That is fine as long as you |
| the following issues be considered. | | | | are aware that your garden wall art may look |
| 1. There are plenty of websites claiming to offer | | | | very different the following summer. |
| metal art suitable for the garden but be aware | | | | 7. It is possible to purchase garden wall art made |
| the cheaper varieties are not designed to last. | | | | from weathering steel (also referred to as |
| 2. If you want your metal art to last, with minimal | | | | cor-ten). This steel rusts and then acts as barrier |
| maintenance, it will need to be made from a | | | | to the steel below. The rust is part of the design |
| metal that can withstand weathering such as | | | | intent and can add charm to the form of a |
| stainless steel. | | | | sculpture. The surface rust will not affect the |
| 3. Untreated mild steel that is exposed to the | | | | structural integrity of the wall art. |
| outdoors will rust. It is possible to purchase metal | | | | 8. It is also possible to get garden art made from |
| barrier paints for mild steel but it must be applied | | | | zinc however do not leave zinc outside without a |
| regularly. Be aware that a simple scratch to the | | | | protective finish - it will go milky. |
| paint will leave the mild steel exposed and the | | | | 9. It is harder to get a quality powder coat finish |
| oxidisation process can commence. It is then quite | | | | on galvanised steel than it is on zinc. |
| easy for rust to spread throughout the art. It is | | | | 10. Stainless steel can reflect light and is therefore |
| the same rusting process that happens to cars. | | | | a good material to use within darker sections of |
| 4. If you live close to the sea the oxidisation | | | | the garden. |
| process can happen quickly, particularly if the | | | | |