#Industry News
Choosing Materials: The Different Types of Urban Steel Furniture
Steel is one of the key materials in the world of urban furniture. And it’s easy to see why! It is resistant to shocks and external aggressions, making it an ideal material for outdoor design!
Steels are 100% infinitely recyclable materials that generally require little maintenance. Practical for urban furniture that stays outdoors 365 days a year!
At Cyria, we work with different shades of steel, always in line with the design and durability of our outdoor furniture. Combined with its treatment and finish, each option offers a modern aesthetic look with a bold style.
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POWDER-COATED STEEL AND PAINT FINISHES FOR DURABLE URBAN FURNITURE
Powder-coated steel is particularly appreciated in urban planning for the multiple customization options it offers. Thanks to Cyria’s exclusive finishes and the thousands of shades in the RAL color chart, you can leave your mark on urban spaces. But the aesthetic qualities of this steel are not its only advantages!
The powder coating of your steel urban furniture is always combined with the Zalkyon® anti-corrosion process, which we have developed over the years. This treatment makes our urban furniture more resistant, particularly against the challenges of urban environments. As you can see, we don’t just promise you durable and robust urban furniture—we continuously research and develop new processes to enhance its strength. As a bonus, because we care, this treatment is free of acids and heavy metals, making it environmentally and human-friendly.
And because we pay attention to detail, every screw and fastening element is also supplied in stainless steel, ensuring flawless urban furniture that will last for years!
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CORTEN STEEL URBAN FURNITURE WITH UNIQUE SHADES
Until a few years ago, Corten steel was not widely used, but today, it is increasingly present in landscaping, outdoor design, and even some indoor projects. It is highly valued for its aesthetic qualities, high resistance, and low maintenance, making it a perfect choice for urban development.
This surface-corroding steel forms a natural patina, giving it its unique look and a warm, non-uniform rusty color. The variations in color make this material stand out, adding both a modern and natural touch to urban spaces. Its tone gradually evolves, adapting to exposure conditions, shifting from an orange shade to a deeper brown-black hue.
Indeed, this steel goes through different corrosion stages, during which its patina intensifies until reaching a fully developed protective layer. Despite its appearance, its unique alloy makes it about 10 times more resistant to corrosion than most steels. Thanks to its oxidized coating, it remains highly resistant to atmospheric changes. Inalterable, it retains its properties and distinctive aesthetic for decades without requiring any special treatment—all it needs is time to stabilize naturally.
From raw steel, its oxidation process can take 24 to 48 months, depending on climate conditions and exposure location. However, if you wish to speed up this process, we offer solutions tailored to your urban planning needs.
Would you like to receive pre-oxidized Corten urban furniture? We have developed a method to accelerate the rusting process naturally and environmentally-friendly in our workshop. This treatment gives it a yellow-orange oxidation.
Are you planning to install Corten steel urban furniture on a light-colored surface? Be cautious of streaking and stains during the patina formation phase! To protect light-colored surfaces, we have developed an invisible anti-dripping process, Prymext®, which significantly reduces the risk of stains. This treatment gives urban furniture a darker brown "vintage leather" appearance.
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STAINLESS STEEL URBAN FURNITURE WITH REFLECTIVE FINISHES
Stainless steel is a highly resistant material against weather conditions, UV rays, and heat. It is particularly valued in outdoor design for its corrosion resistance and durability. With its modern aesthetic finishes requiring minimal maintenance, stainless steel is the perfect ally for urban design projects.
To ensure optimal quality for our urban furniture, all stainless steel elements undergo a complete finishing process (passivation, shot blasting, or electropolishing).
There are different stainless steel grades, and at Cyria, we use only 304 or 316L stainless steel, depending on the installation environment:
304 stainless steel is suitable for indoor and outdoor use but should not be installed in polluted environments (saline or chlorinated areas, industrial zones, ports, swimming pools, chemical industries, stables, etc.). Installations must always be located at least 50 km from the coast, and the humidity level should remain low.
On the other hand, 316L stainless steel provides greater durability for urban furniture, even in challenging environments (saline, humid, etc.). Molybdenum, a component present in 316 stainless steel, offers superior corrosion protection in harsh conditions.
Not sure which one to choose? Contact our experts—they will be happy to advise you!
