People ask us all the time:
"Why do you use steel that rusts?"
Fair question.
Most companies selling outdoor décor promise their stuff won’t rust, won’t fade, won’t change.
At Metalbird, we promise the opposite.
Our birds are made from Corten steel, a material that develops a protective patina that seals and protects the bird.
That surface rust saves the metal underneath.
It’s a finish that evolves with the seasons but never falls apart.
And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Beauty of Imperfect Things
In a world obsessed with perfection, rust feels like failure.
Shiny is good. Flawless is better. Stay new or stay home.
But real life isn’t like that.
Real life is:
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Paint that chips
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Timber that weathers
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Skin that wrinkles
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Love that softens around the edges
We believe art should reflect life... not fight it.
That’s why we make birds that rust and blend into the landscape, not stand out like plastic peacocks.
What Is Corten Steel?
Corten steel (also called weathering steel) is a special alloy.
It was invented in the 1930s for railway cars and bridges... structures meant to be strong, simple, and long-lasting, even in harsh weather.
Here’s how it works:
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The outer layer of steel oxidises.
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But instead of eating away at the metal, the rust forms a protective layer.
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That layer seals the steel from deeper corrosion, locking in the structure while the surface keeps changing.
So when you see a rusted Metalbird in someone’s backyard, you’re not looking at decay.
You’re looking at a patina that protects.
Why We Chose It
When I started cutting the first Metalbirds in my shed, I experimented with different materials.
Galvanised steel? Too shiny.
Powder-coated metal? Too clinical.
Then I tried Corten.
And it clicked.
Because the rust wasn’t a flaw... it was part of the story.
It made the bird look like it belonged to the place, not like it had just arrived in a box.
The Joy of Watching It Change
When you install a Metalbird, the first few weeks are like a time-lapse lesson in patience.
At first, it’s silver-grey. Clean cut. Sharp lines.
Then the weather gets to work.
Rain. Wind. Sun. Frost.
Slowly, the surface shifts from grey to deep orange to soft brown.
It settles into the garden. It starts catching light differently. It becomes part of the landscape, not something added to it.
And underneath? The steel stays strong. That’s the beauty of the protective patina.
Impermanence Is the Point
In Japanese aesthetics, there’s a concept called wabi-sabi... the beauty of imperfection and impermanence.
Rust is part of that.
It says:
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"This isn’t going to stay perfect."
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"It’s going to change with time."
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"And that’s exactly how it should be."
That’s why we love Corten.
The Practical Side
Okay, poetry aside... Corten is also incredibly practical.
It:
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Lasts decades in outdoor conditions
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Doesn’t flake like ordinary rust
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Forms a protective layer that saves the metal underneath
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Requires zero maintenance
You install it once. It does the rest.
Why We Don’t Do "Perfect" Finishes
Some people ask if we’ll ever sell shiny versions.
We won’t.
Because our birds aren’t meant to look like showroom pieces.
They’re meant to look like they’ve always been there.
A Metalbird isn’t about perfection... it’s about presence.
The Story of Patina
When you see rust, you’re seeing:
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Time
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Change
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Connection to place
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A protective layer doing its job
You’re seeing nature and art working together, not against each other.
That’s why we’ll always choose materials that age with grace.
The Shed Test
Back when I was first making birds in my shed, I stuck a few prototypes outside.
Left them through the storms. Forgot about them for a while.
When I came back months later, they’d patinaed beautifully.
Not broken down... blended in. Surface rust that saves the metal underneath.
That’s when I knew:
"This is the right way to do it."
Why It Matters
In a world of fast fashion and disposable goods, we’re proud to make something that stays put and gets better with time.
It’s a small rebellion. A quiet one.
But it matters.
Because life isn’t about staying shiny.
It’s about weathering well.
Want to Watch a Bird Rust Into Your Life?
If you’re ready for a bird that changes with you, you’re in the right place.
Pick your bird. Hammer it in. Let the weather do the rest.
Find your bird here.
Suggested Image:
A side-by-side shot of a brand new Metalbird next to one that’s been patinaing in the garden for years. Same bird, different stages of life. Background: real backyards, not curated lawns.