Which finish should you choose?

The finish of a wrought iron box isn’t just an aesthetic choice — it also shapes how the iron ages, exposed as it is to the weather and to damp potting soil. Here are the options, and what really sets them apart.

Matt black powder coating, the reference finish

This is the most common finish — and the most protective. A powder coating is baked onto the metal in an oven, forming a layer resistant to the weather and to damp soil. For year-round outdoor use, it’s the finish that demands the least upkeep: see our article on care and overwintering for the few steps needed to preserve it.

The aged raw finish, a deliberate aesthetic choice

An aged raw finish relies on a natural patina that evolves with time and exposure. It’s a different aesthetic register from powder coating — not the most protective finish, but a deliberate choice for anyone after a look that transforms over time rather than a fixed finish.

Custom colour, to match an existing setting

A coloured powder coating, from a RAL shade chart, remains available on request. This is an option to confirm at the time of your quote: depending on the shade chosen, it can add to the manufacturing lead time compared with standard matt black — better to plan for that than discover it after the project is confirmed.

Gold-leaf detailing, a decorative option

On the most ornate motifs, gold-leaf detailing can be added — a decorative option, quoted on request, generally combined with a matt black or aged raw base rather than covering the whole box.

A choice made before manufacturing

Unlike size, the finish can’t be corrected after the fact — it has to be confirmed before the workshop starts manufacturing. It’s also a factor that affects the final price, beyond the standard matt black included by default.

To explore every option in detail, head to our finishes and colours page — or describe your project directly to get a free quote within 48h.