Materials & Finishes

Materials selected around the project

Archora quotes custom metal panels, screens, gates, signs, planters, and architectural features in materials suited to the location, finish, mounting method, and intended use.

Common material options

01Powder-Coated Aluminum

Powder-Coated Aluminum

A lightweight, outdoor-friendly option for privacy screens, decorative panels, balcony screens, railing-adjacent panels, wall accents, and other projects where corrosion resistance and a clean finish matter.

Finish directions

  • Matte Black
  • Charcoal
  • Dark Bronze
  • Warm White

Best for

  • Privacy screens
  • Deck, patio, and balcony panels
  • Decorative wall panels
  • Lightweight exterior panels
  • Low-maintenance outdoor applications

Notes

  • Does not rust like steel
  • Works well with black, bronze, charcoal, white, and custom powder-coated finishes
  • Good option when weight and corrosion resistance matter

02Corten / Weathering Steel

Corten / Weathering Steel

A warm architectural steel that develops a natural rust-colored patina over time. Often used for garden panels, feature walls, signs, planters, and landscape-focused metalwork.

Finish directions

Representative weathered patina

Best for

  • Garden divider panels
  • Decorative wall panels
  • Entry and property signs
  • Planter fronts
  • Landscape features
  • Outdoor architectural accents

Notes

  • Develops a natural weathered finish
  • Color changes over time
  • Best used where runoff, staining risk, and surrounding materials are considered
  • Not the right fit for every mounting condition

03Powder-Coated Steel

Powder-Coated Steel

A stronger and heavier option for gates, frames, posts, brackets, rail-adjacent work, larger panels, and projects where a more structural metal feel is needed.

Finish directions

  • Matte Black
  • Charcoal
  • Graphite Grey
  • Dark Bronze

Best for

  • Driveway gates
  • Pedestrian and garden gates
  • Farm and rural gates
  • Fence and railing inserts
  • Frames, posts, and mounting components
  • Heavier-duty outdoor features

Notes

  • Usually finished with outdoor-grade powder coating
  • Can be combined with aluminum or Corten panels depending on the project
  • Coating quality, drainage, edges, and mounting details matter for long-term outdoor performance

04Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel

A specialty option for projects that need higher corrosion resistance, a specific architectural finish, or a more refined metal appearance.

Finish directions

Representative brushed stainless

Best for

  • Commercial details
  • Entry features
  • Interior architectural panels
  • Specialty exterior applications
  • High-corrosion or high-wear areas when appropriate

Notes

  • Usually quoted as a special request
  • More expensive than common aluminum or steel options
  • Finish selection should be reviewed project by project

05Other Metals & Special Requests

Other Metals & Special Requests

Some projects may require specific metals, thicknesses, finishes, or supplied material. Share the project requirements and Archora can review what is practical to quote.

Finish directions

  • Warm Brass
  • Raw Steel
  • Dark Bronze
  • Charcoal

Best for

  • Supplied drawings
  • Logo panels
  • Custom signs
  • Specialty architectural accents
  • Contractor or designer-specified materials

Notes

  • Include material callouts if you already have drawings
  • If the material is not specified, Archora can recommend a practical starting point

Finish directions

Common color and finish directions

These swatches are representative starting points only. Final colors and finishes depend on the material, coating supplier, batch, exposure, and project requirements.

Matte Black

Common for screens, panels, gates, and architectural accents.

Charcoal

Softer than black, with a modern architectural feel.

Graphite Grey

A neutral dark grey direction for contemporary exterior projects.

Dark Bronze

Warm, dark, and subtle for exterior panels and privacy screens.

Warm Bronze

A warmer metal-inspired finish direction for feature pieces.

Corten / Weathering Steel

A rust-colored architectural patina direction for landscape features.

Raw Weathered Rust

A deeper weathered steel look for garden and landscape accents.

Warm White

A lighter powder-coated direction for bright exterior or interior uses.

Soft Sand

A warm neutral option for stone, stucco, and light architectural palettes.

Brushed Stainless

A specialty stainless direction for select architectural or commercial details.

Swatches are representative only. Final finish options are confirmed during quoting based on material, supplier availability, coating process, and project requirements.

Material direction by use case

  • Lightweight screens

    Powder-coated aluminum

  • Landscape accents

    Corten / weathering steel

  • Gates and frames

    Powder-coated steel

  • Specialty details

    Stainless or project-specific material

Finish options

Color, patina, and surface finish

Powder Coat Colors

Outdoor-grade powder coating is commonly used for black, bronze, charcoal, white, and custom color finishes. It gives aluminum and steel panels a clean, finished appearance.

Corten Patina

Corten/weathering steel develops a natural rust-colored surface over time. It works well for landscape and architectural features where a warm, weathered look is desired.

Raw, Brushed, or Specialty Finishes

Some interior, sign, or architectural projects may use raw, brushed, polished, or specialty finishes depending on the material and application.

Mixed-Material Projects

Some projects may combine materials, such as powder-coated frames with Corten panels, aluminum panels with steel posts, or custom sign panels with separate mounting hardware.

Guidance

Choosing the right material

The right material depends on where the product is going, how it mounts, how exposed it is, and what look you want.

  • For lightweight, low-maintenance screens: consider powder-coated aluminum.
  • For warm landscape and architectural accents: consider Corten/weathering steel.
  • For gates, frames, and heavier-duty components: consider powder-coated steel.
  • For specialty corrosion resistance or refined architectural finishes: ask about stainless steel or project-specific options.

Before quoting

Helpful material details to send

A short summary of the space, mounting, and finish direction is enough to start the quote conversation. Archora can confirm a practical material and finish from there.

  • Photos of the space or mounting condition
  • Approximate width, height, and quantity
  • Preferred color, finish, or patina
  • Whether the panel is freestanding, wall-mounted, framed, hinged, or attached to posts
  • Any drawings, material callouts, or finish specifications
  • Whether the project is interior, exterior, coastal, poolside, rural, or high-exposure

Request a Quote

Not sure which material fits your project?

Send the project location, rough dimensions, photos, and finish direction. Archora can recommend a practical material and finish starting point for quoting.

Request a Quote