Materials and Finishes Guide

Technical Resources & Specifications

Street Furniture Materials & Powder Coating Guide

At Cityscape Direct, our street furniture is engineered to withstand high-volume footfall, vehicular contact, and harsh UK weather. Understanding base metal treatments and protective finishes is essential for choosing equipment that delivers long-term durability and regulatory compliance.

Base Metals & Structural Substrates

Hot-Dip Galvanised Steel

Raw steel components are fully submerged in a molten zinc bath (~450°C) in accordance with BS EN ISO 1461 standards. This creates a multi-layered zinc-iron alloy bond that acts as a sacrificial barrier against rust.

  • Primary Applications: Root-fixed security bollards, pedestrian guardrails, Sheffield cycle stands, and heavy-duty perimeter protection.
  • Key Advantage: Self-healing cathodic protection; if scratched, surrounding zinc corrodes first to preserve core structural steel.

Zinc-Rich Primer (Dual-Coat Protection)

Prior to topcoat application, a zinc-rich epoxy primer is electrostatically applied and baked onto shot-blasted steel. This provides an extra anti-corrosion barrier beneath the final decorative layer.

  • Primary Applications: High-street litter bins, council benches, and retail park demarcation bollards exposed to road salt.
  • Key Advantage: Prevents lateral rust creep and bubbling beneath the paint surface if impact damage occurs.

Grade 304 Stainless Steel

Contains a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, creating an invisible, self-repairing chromium oxide film that prevents oxidation without needing secondary painting.

  • Primary Applications: Urban high-street bollards, architectural planters, commercial entrance barriers, and bus shelter uprights.
  • Key Advantage: Contemporary aesthetic with low maintenance requirements in standard urban environments.

Grade 316 Stainless Steel (Marine Grade)

Includes an added 2–3% molybdenum content to resist pitting and crevice corrosion caused by aggressive chlorides and de-icing chemicals.

  • Primary Applications: Coastal promenade seating, waterfront guardrails, and highway-adjacent bollards.
  • Key Advantage: Maximum corrosion defense for aggressive maritime or salt-heavy locations.
Powder Coating Technology

Powder coating is a dry finishing process where electrostatically charged resin particles are sprayed onto grounded metal. The coated items are cured in industrial ovens at 180°C–200°C, melting the powder into a smooth, non-porous finish that resists chipping, fading, and chemical wear far better than traditional wet paints.

Standard Colour Range & Applications
Swatch RAL / Finish Colour Name Street Furniture Applications & Best Uses
RAL 3020 Traffic Red Emergency vehicle access bollards, school keep-clear pedestrian railings, and hazard demarcation barriers.
RAL 3004 Purple Red Heritage town centre bollards, traditional parkland seating, and conservation area street furniture.
RAL 5010 Gentian Blue Bus shelter frames, hospital perimeter barriers, civic cycle storage shelters, and university campuses.
RAL 6005 Moss Green Public park litter bins, timber-and-steel woodland benches, landscape perimeter knee rails, and greenways.
RAL 8017 Chocolate Brown Country park picnic tables, timber-composite cycle shelters, and nature trail post systems.
RAL 7044 Silk Grey Modern commercial office plazas, contemporary retail park planters, and minimalist architectural seating.
RAL 9010 Pure White High-visibility hazard bands on security bollards, indoor distribution center barriers, and boundary posts.
RAL 9005 Jet Black Municipal standard street bollards, civic seating frames, high-street waste bins, and anti-ram post systems.
Procity® Grey Textured Grey High-traffic urban transport hubs and bus interchanges. The textured finish helps mask minor scratches and scuffs.
Corten Effect Weathered Rust Architectural urban regeneration schemes, rustic park planters, and bespoke feature signage.

Bespoke Specification & Custom RAL Matching

Need a custom finish or exact corporate color matching? We can supply all steel bollards, benches, shelters, and railings in non-standard RAL colors or specific sheen levels (gloss, satin, or matte) upon request. Contact our sales team at sales@cityscapedirect.com or call 0330 133 4356 for project support.