All gazebos can also be purchased untreated from ELEO.
Our customers generally choose this option for two reasons:
Firstly, it is a good way to save money by treating the wood yourself. You can order your untreated gazebo and carry out a simple surface treatment at home. For this, we recommend a protective varnish for metal available in DIY stores (from the Hammerite brand, for example).
On the other hand, for several years now, the trend in gardening has been to leave steel in its original form and not treat its surface, so that it develops a unique, elegant rust patina.
Processus d’oxydation
When metal, such as raw steel, comes into contact with oxygen and water, oxidation begins through the bonding of oxygen and iron, forming rust. There are many places where rust is not welcome, but more and more metal elements with a ‘noble rust’ appearance are appearing around the home and garden.
We talk about noble rust when the rust layer is distributed as evenly as possible over the surface of the metal and the rust is actually the result of the natural oxidation process described above.
In this way, a light orange layer forms on the surface at first. Its colour will change to dark red and rust over time.
For indoor use, apply a thin coat of clear varnish to prevent the rust layer from deteriorating. For outdoor use, steel elements can be protected from rust spreading with Owatrol oil, for example.
Natural oxidation can be accelerated by using acidic or alkaline solutions, such as vinegar essence or salt water.
However, we recommend simply leaving the arbour outdoors, as the natural humidity in the air generally produces the most attractive rust patina.
If you choose to treat your gazebo with vinegar essence (which we do not recommend), make sure that any excess liquid can drain away. Otherwise, unsightly stains may form and rust will develop unevenly.
We would also like to warn you that handling raw or rusty metal parts may stain clothing and skin. These stains will disappear by washing your hands and washing your clothes at 30 degrees. When placing an untreated arbour on natural stone flooring, please bear in mind that these elements may stain the floor in case of rain or high humidity.
A durable natural product
Noble rust is not Corten steel, which sometimes also contains heavy metals, but a natural product. The steel used by ELEO is made from natural iron, which is also an important mineral substance for plants.
We only use solid, flat and round steel for our gazebos, and if you decide to leave the elements untreated, you will still be able to enjoy our products for decades.
Uses and benefits
Untreated gazebos that develop a patina of noble rust over time have a very special charm and offer the following advantages:
- A natural product with a long lifespan
- A romantic and fashionable look with its noble rust
- The most affordable option
