Finishes
# Which finish should you choose?

24 September 2026 2 min read 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](https://bac-a-oranger.fr/en/blog/overwintering-your-potted-orange-tree/) 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](https://bac-a-oranger.fr/en/blog/small-or-large-size-how-to-choose/) , 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](https://bac-a-oranger.fr/en/blog/orangery-box-price-breakdown/) , beyond the standard matt black included by default.

To explore every option in detail, head to our [finishes and colours](https://bac-a-oranger.fr/en/finishes-and-colours/) page — or describe your project directly to [get a free quote](https://bac-a-oranger.fr/en/quote/) within 48h.
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