Materials & Finishes
Every surface in the 40FIVE collection is specified for longevity. What follows is a detailed account of the materials we work with, how they are finished, and what you can expect from them over time.
Corten Steel
Corten, formally weathering steel, is an alloy developed to form a stable, adherent rust patina that protects the underlying metal from further corrosion. Unlike conventional steel, which rusts progressively and degrades, Corten's oxidation is self-terminating. The surface develops, stabilises, and stops.
How it Arrives
All 40FIVE Corten pieces are delivered with an accelerated oxidation process already applied at the factory. The surface arrives with a warm, developed patina; not raw steel. Placed outdoors, the patina continues to evolve and deepen over the years that follow.
How it Ages
40FIVE delivery: pre-oxidised
1 year outdoor
3 years
5 years
In outdoor settings where water runoff contacts light-coloured surfaces, pale stone, concrete, or render, some staining may occur as the patina develops. This is characteristic of the material and should be considered during placement.
CORTEN STEEL SPECIFICATION
- Suitable Locations: Indoor and outdoor
- Not Recommended: Continuously wet or submerged environments; proximity to light-coloured masonry where runoff staining may occur
Stainless Steel
The stainless steel used across the 40FIVE collection is specified for exterior applications in coastal, high-humidity, and demanding environments. It is a grade selected for its superior resistance to corrosion, suitable for use both indoors and out.
The Finish
Our stainless finish is not off-the-shelf. Developed over years of working with the material at a production level, it sits between a brushed satin and a soft reflective polish. The surface has directionality and depth that catches light without becoming a mirror. It arrives with character and ages with the same quality it has on delivery.
Suitability
The stainless steel we specify is selected for the most demanding exterior environments. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use including coastal locations. With standard care, pieces maintain their surface and structural integrity indefinitely.
For coastal installations where salt spray is consistent, an occasional rinse with fresh water and a periodic wipe-down will maintain the surface. Avoid abrasive cleaning products, they will scratch the finish permanently.
STAINLESS STEEL SPECIFICATION
- Finish: Proprietary satin-reflective polish
- Suitable locations: Indoor and outdoor, including coastal and high-humidity environments
- Not recommended: Prolonged contact with chlorine or harsh chemical cleaners
- Maintenance: Occasional wipe with a damp cloth. Avoid abrasive pads or steel wool.
Patinated Steel
Our blackened finish is applied to a stainless steel substrate, combining the visual depth of a chemical patination with the structural durability of stainless. The surface undergoes a controlled process that converts the outer layer to a deep, warm black with subtle tonal variation.
Character and Variation
Because the process responds to the natural composition of the steel, no two pieces are identical. Slight tonal variation across the surface is inherent to the material and considered part of its character.
Suitability
Blackened steel is primarily an interior material. It performs well in covered exterior settings with limited direct moisture exposure, but sustained contact with water will affect the surface over time.
In interior settings, blackened steel maintains its finish indefinitely with minimal care. For covered exterior applications, periodic re-waxing extends the life of the surface.
PATINATED STEEL SPECIFICATION
- Base material: 316 stainless steel
- Process: Chemical patination
- Suitable locations: Indoor and sheltered outdoor
- Maintenance: Occasional wipe with a dry or lightly damp cloth.
Bronze Finish
Bronze in the 40FIVE collection is achieved through physical vapour deposition, a process in which bronze material is vaporised in a controlled vacuum environment and deposited as a molecularly bonded layer onto a stainless steel substrate. The bond is formed at a molecular level rather than through adhesive, giving the finish exceptional hardness and wear resistance.
The Process
Physical vapour deposition gives us a high level of control over the result. The deposited layer is extremely thin but extraordinarily durable. It does not chip, flake, or peel under normal use conditions. The colour, warmth, and visual depth of the finish replicates solid bronze while the underlying stainless steel provides the structural performance and corrosion resistance the material demands.
A Note on Patina
The bronze finish applied by this process does not develop a natural patina over time. Unlike solid bronze, which oxidises and shifts in colour with age and exposure, the deposited surface remains consistent from the point of delivery.
The bronze finish is permanent and stable from delivery. It will not chip, fade, or require reapplication over time. The molecular bond formed during deposition ensures the finish endures as long as the piece itself.
BRONZE FINISH SPECIFICATION
- Substrate: stainless steel
- Finish process: Physical vapour deposition
- Deposited material: Bronze
- Suitable locations: Indoor and outdoor
- Maintenance: Occasional wipe with a damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners.