What Material for this Application Please?

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All,

I have been asked by a neighbour and friend to make a wind break for their garden.

The main frame will be welded 25mm steel box section with fixing tabs to take the main panel as shown.

The pal's wife would like it to be "copper" but I am guessing that any copper sheet of suitable thickness would be way too expensive.

I would welcome any suggestions as to a suitable alternative that would be weather proof and not too heavy.

Powder coated something? PVC sheet?

Cheers, Martin

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Size is 1.8m tall by 1.25m width

Martin

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Does it have to remain flat, or can you roll some ribs into it?

A flange on the unsupported edge would be a good idea.

Using both of those would reduce the need for a thick sheet.

Would a galvinised finish be suitable?

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Solid bronze coloured polycarbonate?
Anodised ally colour (assuming someone does those sorts of sizes)?
Hammerite copper paint does look like copper?
Gild with copper leaf?
Thin copper sheet sandwich over something?

pgk

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Can’t recall the name just now, but : There is a grade of steel sheet, beloved by Architects, which rusts gracefully to a sort of self-protecting surface.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: __ see here: https://www.metalsheets.co.uk/corten-steel-sheet/

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 01/10/2021 08:46:21

[StueeeeParticipant @stueeee]

If that windbreak is not in a very sheltered position I think I would use 40mm box section for the frame rather than 25mm. There's quite a square footage of screen/sail there which could buckle the frame in a storm.

re. the finish, If you used aluminium sheet, you could get it treated with a translucent copper powder coat like this: weblink which should give an approximation of clean copper without the eye watering cost.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Some of the imfamous plastic cored decorative building cladding comes to mind. Aluminium composite material (ACM) panels
Metal faced for durability but the platic core makes it stiff and "dead" so won't act like a wobble board and make a lot of noise in the wind.

If they are de-cladding a building near you it might even be free.

Robert G8RPI.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

A house in the village has a fence made of pierced steel sheet which I think must be the type that Michael suggests, It has "rusted" to a nice reddish colour. We also have a garden ornament made of something similar which looks nice.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Just to addd that you could probably get steel laser or water-cut to shape, and in the process they could perhaps cut out a pattern in the panel for decorative effect and reducing windage.

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

Composite fence panel possibly see ** My Modern Garden **

Weathered steel ** Corten Garden Products ** from BuyMetalOnline.co.uk

Cheapest route would probably be to use a sheet of OSB and paint it! Should last 10 years or so.

John

Edit: add link

Edited By Journeyman on 01/10/2021 10:15:48

[egaParticipant @ega]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 01/10/2021 08:42:12:

Can’t recall the name just now, but : There is a grade of steel sheet, beloved by Architects, which rusts gracefully to a sort of self-protecting surface.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: __ see here: **LINK**

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 01/10/2021 08:46:21

I think this is like the "weathered steel" of the Kew Gardens treetop walkway:

https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-in-the-gardens/treetop-walkway

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Tricoya waterproof MDF would probably do the job. You could finish it in almost any way you like.

Martin.

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

Another vote for the aluminium composite sheets; that design is a massive sail!

It's very strong and could be painted or left as the manufacturers coloured surface.

[Adam MaraParticipant @adammara]

And another vote for ACM sheet, but would opt for 5mm rather than 2 or 3mm. Depending on budget, you can stick printed vinyl sheet to it, or even have it printed on directly. Unfortunately sheet they use at work is in short supply at the moment, and the prices keeps rising.

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