Corten Steel Skin & Facades Project

18/04/2025

From public architecture and interior spaces to landscapes and sculptures, weathering steel delivers unparalleled visual impact while unlocking limitless creative potential for designers.

At the same time, it provides designers with more inspiration and creativity.

As time goes by, weathering steel is exposed to the sun and rain, and its texture changes accordingly.

The original rough texture provides more possibilities for architectural texture.

In addition, weathering steel materials can be continuously recycled, which conforms to the current green and environmental protection trend, especially suitable for sustainable buildings.

Weathering steel has a rust-red protective film on its surface, which prevents rust from spreading inward and developing the substrate under the protective rust layer to slow down its corrosion rate. So how is this protective film formed?

The most commonly used method is the rust stabilization treatment method:

The rust stabilization treatment method uses chemical methods (rust liquid) to slowly dissolve the surface film of the steel plate, so that it produces rust stabilization and forms a uniform rust layer. This rust layer has a protective effect and can inhibit the rust that flows out of the steel in the early stage of use.

Common types of weathering steel products are divided into:

1. High weathering steel (higher P content: 0.07~0.15wt%)

2. Welding weathering steel (lower P content: ≤0.04wt%)

Material cost

Weathering steel price = steel plate raw material price + rust treatment price.

Therefore, the price of rust treatment varies according to the process. In addition, the change in plate thickness and the quality of the plate will also affect the price of weathering steel.

Corten steel building

Hotel, house, tourist city，garden landscape and so on.

While Corten steel remains an unconventional choice for interior surfaces—most homeowners prioritize weatherproofing outdoors—its versatility shines in unexpected residential applications. Beyond the home’s façade, this rust-toned alloy elevates spaces like sunken outdoor lounges, where it clads rear courtyard walls with earthy warmth, or transforms utilitarian fencing into sculptural statements.

In rare, visionary designs, Corten even infiltrates interiors: picture a kitchen where its rugged patina contrasts sleek cabinetry, creating a tactile narrative of raw elegance. Here, the material transcends practicality, becoming a conversation piece that bridges indoor refinement and outdoor resilience.

Why It Works:

‌Unexpected Harmony‌: Balances industrial grit with domestic warmth in transitional zones.
‌Site-Specific Aging‌: Develops unique character through controlled rusting, even indoors.
‌Design Courage‌: Challenges norms by redefining “indoor-appropriate” materials.

Cor-Ten steel face of the modern residence in Toronto

Stunning cantilevered corten clad upper level of the home in Peru

Corten clad wall for the sunken lounge inside the mountain home with green planting roof

Corten clad wall for the sunken lounge inside the mountain home with green roof

Unique kitchen area clad in corten steel

Corten steel panels are great for modern industrial homes

While Corten steel’s inherent resilience makes it a natural choice for harsh climates, its true power lies in its stylistic versatility. This adaptive material transcends design eras, equally at home in heritage revitalizations or avant-garde statements.

Imagine a historic brick residence where Corten cladding wraps a contemporary rear extension. Here, the steel’s burnt sienna tones mirror the original masonry, creating visual harmony across centuries. Glass walls and stone accents act as deliberate counterpoints, anchoring the addition firmly in modernity.

For those seeking bold contrasts, pair Corten’s organic rust patterns with raw concrete’s geometric rigor. This industrial alchemy yields facades where nature’s artistry meets human precision—a dialogue between ephemeral patina and permanent form.