Glazed ceramic, fibre concrete, galvanised metal, stainless steel: an honest comparison, use by use.
There is no single best material: there is the right material for your location, exposure and use. Here is how to decide.
Hand-finished, vibrant and colourful: this is the material of emotion. Its practical advantages are real: weight that provides stability in the wind, a UV-stable glazed surface that is easy to clean, and frost resistance (across our ranges designed for outdoor use). Best suited to locations where its weight is an asset rather than a constraint: ground-level terraces, entrances and permanent arrangements.
The raw aesthetic of concrete at a significantly lower weight than conventional concrete, thanks to reinforcing fibres: the material for rooftops, load-limited slabs, building sites and events. Frost- and UV-resistant, with recycled materials in its composition. Its mineral palette (sand, stone, anthracite) complements contemporary architecture.
Protected against corrosion by zinc and virtually indestructible in everyday use: the choice for public spaces and high-traffic locations. Lighter to install, it gains weight and stability from the growing medium. One point to consider: in full sun, allow for a generous growing medium and mulch to moderate the temperature of the sides.
The material for exceptional settings, indoors and out: its brushed, copper or black reflections catch the light and define lobbies, prestigious terraces and coastal locations. Highly corrosion-resistant, it simply requires regular rinsing with fresh water where exposed to sea spray. Hand-finished, with a premium positioning.
Restaurant terrace: glazed ceramic (charm, weight) or metal (urban character). Public space: galvanised metal or fibre concrete (impact resistance, frost). Rooftop and slab: fibre concrete (weight). Coastal location: stainless steel with regular rinsing where exposed to sea spray; glazed ceramic and fibre concrete also age very well there. Lobby and interiors: all materials, with contained watering; the choice then becomes purely aesthetic.
Expertise tailored to each use, with the same commitment to durability.
Designed for permanent outdoor use, including winter.
Colours and finishes can be approved on request using a sample before ordering.
Stainless steel and galvanised metal offer the best overall durability (impact, frost, UV); in a marine environment, stainless steel is best maintained by rinsing regularly with fresh water. Fibre concrete also performs very well outdoors. Glazed ceramic designed for outdoor use is frost-resistant; the key precaution is avoiding standing water, which is managed with good drainage.
Glazed ceramic and fibre concrete withstand full sun without difficulty (UV-stable surface, thick walls). For metal, allow for a generous volume of growing medium and use mulch: the walls heat up more.
Fibre concrete offers the best presence-to-weight ratio among mineral materials; galvanised metal is the lightest when empty. Ceramic is the heaviest. This is also what makes it stable in the wind. Bear in mind that a planted container remains heavy: the growing medium and plants weigh far more than the planter.
Tell us about your site (exposure, ground, use): we will recommend the right material.
