If you love gardening, you may contemplate what type of planters to use around your home. You can find a variety of choices depending on your location. However, your choice can depend on climate, soil type in your area, the style of garden bed you want, or your budget. You can get planter boxes made of wood, terra-cotta, ceramic, fiberglass, steel, and concrete.
Most current gardeners prefer metal planter boxes as they might be easier to use than the rest. For this reason, you may find more suppliers investing in providing a variety of steel planter boxes. Additionally, you can also get other services from these suppliers so that you can get the most from your planter boxes. Such services, like what KNS Metals offers, can be handy when you want to customize the planter boxes to your taste and style.
Despite the expanding preference by gardeners, steel planter boxes have their disadvantages. The following pros and cons can give you an insight into them. These can help inform your decision on steel planter boxes.
Pros Of Steel Planter Boxes
Easier To Set Up And Maintain
Steel planter boxes are easier to install than the other types. You don’t need specialized tools to set them up. In some cases, you can also request delivery of pre-built ones. However, when you want to customize them to suit your garden layout, you can have them flat-packed. Given that they’re lightweight, you can easily move them around without needing an extra hand.
Moreover, steel planters aren’t labor-intensive when it comes to maintenance. To keep them looking new, you would mainly require a medium-bristle brush and soap water solution. This cleaning solution and brush should be enough to scrape dirt and debris on the metal planter boxes.
It’s important to note, though, that you shouldn’t use an acidic cleaning solution or steel wool as these can leave scratch marks that can expose the planter boxes to rust. Besides, the scratches can allow moisture into the boxes, which can be damaging to your plants.
Available In Various Styles And Colors
A visit to your steel planter boxes supplier allows you to choose different designs, colors, and styles. For instance, you can select a design that can complement the décor around your home. The industrial look of galvanized steel is a favorite among most interior designers. On the other hand, you can go for the rustic style offered by rusted steel.
You can also customize steel planter boxes to your liking. Likewise, you can powder-coat them for durability, thus preventing temperature variations and ultraviolet rays. The coating powder doesn’t contain harmful volatile organic compounds. Therefore, it’s environmentally friendly and can help give you a colorful finish.
Offer More Durability
Steel planter boxes can withstand harsh weather elements. This means they won’t crack or decay due to these exposures. Thus, you don’t have to consider replacement costs when exposed to temperature extremes or heavy rainfall.
It’s also worth noting that despite their durability and strength, steel planter boxes, like galvanized steel, can still be portable.
Cons Of Steel Planter Boxes
Can Be Costly
Steel planter boxes offer you durability and the ability to customize them. These positives mean you have to pay more to enjoy them. Thus, compared to other planter boxes, steel planter boxes are more expensive.
Your initial investment in steel planter boxes would generally be higher than if you chose materials like wood or ceramic. Apart from the purchase cost, you would also need to pay for services like laser cutting and transportation.
Can Cause Injury
Materials such as ceramic or concrete planter boxes rarely have sharp edges if they crack. Hence, you wouldn’t be in danger of injuring yourself in the garden. However, if a steel planter box has protruding edges or its edges aren’t smoothened off, they can easily cause you harm. A scratch from such an object can be infectious, especially if it has been exposed to rust.
Therefore, it’s essential to do regular inspections around your garden for any sharp protrusions or edges and find a way to remedy the situation.
Heat Up More Quickly
The metallic nature of steel planter boxes’ properties means they heat up more than other planter box materials. This characteristic means the soil loses moisture significantly quicker, causing root damage.
If you’re using steel planter boxes, it would be best to avoid heat-sensitive plants. In addition, it would help to consider placing your planter boxes in a shaded area. Using galvanized steel can also help reduce the effects of heat as it’s considerably reflective and doesn’t absorb more heat.
Conclusion
Most gardeners and interior designers recommend steel planter boxes for your gardening needs. Despite their heating up, cost, and risk of injury, they can offer long-term service compared to other materials. Furthermore, they are easier to install and maintain.
