metal
Steel offers many advantages to landscape furnishings + components. Â In addition to being the most highly recycled material available today, steel is strong, highly configurable + long-lasting.
FLAT PLATES
flat bar: long strips of steel up to 20′ long available in the following widths (1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1 1/2″, 2″, 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″ + 12″). Ecotopes commonly uses flat bar steel in the following thicknesses (1/8″, 3/16″ + 1/4″).
plate steel: flat panels of steel that can be specified in dimensions from 12″ x 12″ up to 60″ x 120″. Ecotopes commonly uses plate steel in the following thicknesses (1/8″, 3/16″ + 1/4″).
STRUCTURAL
angle:Â versatile segments of 90-degree angled steel up to 20′ long available in various configurations of the following widths (1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1 1/2″, 2″, 3″, 4″, 5″ + 6″). Ecotopes commonly uses angle steel in the following thicknesses (1/8″, 3/16″ + 1/4″).
channel: strong structural “C” shape which can be used in the landscape to support built components, as a running track for rolling doors, or even as a water channel in fountains. Â Our most commonly used sizes range from 1″ to 4″ wide.
beam: junior “I” beams, which are 6″ or 8″ tall, are most commonly used in the landscape for certain structural components
TUBE
square + rectangular:Â even stronger than angle or channel, these boxy tubes are available in a nice variety of configurations + thicknesses for muliple applications in the landscape.
round tube vs. pipe: while similar to one another, round tube + pipe mostly differ on the sizes of dimensions available. Â Pipe is often available at a slightly lower price.
PANELS
expanded: steel sheet that’s been slit + stretched to a diamond-shaped array of openings — this is the steel you often used on BBQ grills — with a wide variety of thicknesses + opening sizes
perforated: punched steel sheet with a variety of hole patterns + thicknesses
bar-grate: catwalk steel — used to make walking thresholds, elevated spaces or drainage while providing pedestrian access
welded-wire: grid of strong galvanized wire, welded at the intersections — grid can be 2×2, 2×4 or 4×4
roofing: a wide variety of metal roofing options are available — these panels are usually corrugated to provide structural rigidity
GUAGE GUIDE
16GA: 0.065 inches
14GA: 0.083 inches
12GA: 0.109 inches
11GA: 0.120 inches (about 1/8″)
DESIGN SUPPORT
Raw steel in the urban landscape has grown in popularity in recent years. Â While the aesthetic of rusted steel has been initially associated with modern landscape styles, use of this material should be considered regardless of this fashion trend. Â Ecotopes tends to utilize steel with subtlety, seeking to exploit the form + function benefits of this material.