Articles - Sustainability
For landscape architects, designers, and fabricators, the question often arises: Is Mild Steel up to the task? Long used in construction and landscape detailing, mild steel offers a mix of affordability and functionality. Yet, as expectations grow for structural resilience and aesthetic longevity, particularly in demanding outdoor environments, the limitations of mild steel become more apparent.
To evaluate whether it remains a worthwhile choice, the R&D team undertook a challenge to find or produce the best possible base material for architectural edging. Material form, fabrication constraints, corrosion resistance, and long-term maintenance were all analysed.
Understanding Mild Steel
Mild steel is widely used due to its durability and ease of handling. The steel is coated with zinc, giving it an initial barrier against corrosion. Its strength-to-weight ratio makes it structurally efficient, and it’s inherently non-combustible—features that suit a variety of architectural and construction applications.
This material is typically finished with a Polyester Powder Coating (PPC), enhancing its appearance while adding a secondary layer of surface protection. The PPC layer also offers colour flexibility, aligning well with broader design palettes.
Comparing to Neomel
The R&D team at Logic agreed upon Neomel—a trademarked chemically adjusted base material for our raised planter edging and seating substructures.
Neomel is specifically engineered to retain corrosion resistance at cut edges and welded joins—the areas where traditional material is most vulnerable. Its advanced alloy coating creates a self-healing, passive protection layer, meaning fabrication processes like welding, punching, or profiling do not compromise its integrity.
This makes Neomel particularly suited to curved planter profiles, modular systems, and landscape components.
Context Matters
To be fair, mild steel does hold value in certain contexts. For flat-panel applications where welding is not required and exposure is limited, it remains a practical choice. Its strength, non-combustibility, and compatibility with PPC finishes give it relevance across industrial and general construction sectors.
However, now there is a new standard. One that the whole industry will now be exploring.
Final Verdict: Is Mild Steel Worth It?
In many modern landscape settings, the answer is: not always. While mild steel may offer a good starting point, its restrictions – particularly in terms of weldability, edge durability, and fabrication flexibility – can limit both design intent and lifespan.
Neomel by Logic, by comparison, delivers consistent performance across more demanding applications. It adapts well to complex shapes, resists corrosion at vulnerable points, and supports the kind of detail-driven design that landscapes increasingly require.
