Thermal Spray Coatings for the Corrosion Prevention of Balconies, Fences, Railings and Architectural Steel
At Metallisation Ltd, we specialise in helping you protect the look, strength, and long term reliability of your steel structures.
Protecting External Steel from Wear and Corrosion
If you’re responsible for maintaining external metalwork, corrosion is likely a concern. Moisture, salt in the air, pollution, and temperature changes all take their toll over time. Left untreated, steelwork begins to rust, weakening both appearance and strength.
Whether it’s balconies on a residential block, railings outside a public building, fences along a coastal property, or other forms of architectural steel, we offer a proven method to help extend the lifespan of these installations – thermal spray coatings.
Why Use Thermal Spray Coatings
When corrosion sets into architectural steel, it’s not just a cosmetic problem. Rust weakens the structure, reduces safety, and often leads to costly repairs or early replacements. For railings and fences, it can mean unsafe conditions or a tired, poorly maintained appearance.
By applying a protective layer of metal (often zinc, aluminium, or a combination) you’re able to stop the corrosion process before it even starts. The coating acts as a sacrificial shield, giving the steel beneath a much longer life.
For contractors, developers and architects, it’s a chance to deliver something that lasts without locking yourself into constant maintenance cycles.
Common Uses in Steelwork Applications
Domestic Railings
Homeowners, housing developers and property managers often turn to us to protect railings around driveways, gardens or stairwells. With a thermal spray coating applied before painting or powder coating, the railings maintain their appearance for much longer, even in areas with frequent rainfall or coastal air.
Playground Equipment
Steel is a common choice for playground structures, but safety and durability are absolutely essential in these settings. Our coatings help protect play equipment from wear and rust, especially in high touch areas.
Steel Fencing
Whether around commercial premises, housing estates or parks, steel fencing is exposed to a lot – from weather to traffic pollution to accidental damage. We’ve worked with many clients looking to extend the lifespan of their fencing with corrosion resistant coatings that keep the metal strong and rust free.
Decorative Architectural Metalwork
Ornate metal features on buildings or public spaces need to be both functional and attractive. These pieces often include fine details that would be hard to repair if rust set in. By applying a thermal spray coating early, these elements can be preserved in their original condition without constant maintenance or repainting.
How Does the Coating Process Work?
We use metal and thermal spray technology.
The process begins with surface preparation. The steel is first grit blasted to remove any dirt, rust, or previous coatings. This creates a rough surface that helps the new coating bond securely. Once prepped, the spray coating is applied using specialist equipment that heats metal wire or powder and sprays it onto the steel in fine particles. As the sprayed material hits the steel, it cools and hardens, forming a strong, even layer.
Thermal spraying is an excellent alternative to the hot-dip-galvanise process. There is little to no heat distortion with thermal spray making it ideal for thin, lightweight structures which would normally distort in a hot-dip galvanising bath. The size of the objects to be sprayed is limitless, allowing large balconies and fabrications to be coated without any restrictions. The metal sprayed coating also gives an excellent base for subsequent paint or powder coating for aesthetic appearance.
Depending on the coating thickness and environment, independent standards (EN ISO 2063) suggests that coating life to first maintenance can exceed 20 years of protection.
Let’s Talk About Your Next Project
If you’re planning a project that includes balconies, fences, railings or any type of architectural steel, corrosion protection should be part of your thinking from day one. And if you’re dealing with rusted or ageing steelwork, we can help restore it and protect it for the future.
Our facilities are set up to handle both one-off jobs and large-scale runs, and we always focus on getting the details right. Consistency, precision and proper surface preparation are key to getting a strong, long lasting result.
And if you have your own production line? We can support you with advice, training or supply of thermal spray equipment – depending on what you need.
