Outdoors: Preventing Rust

Speaking at a foundational level, homes located in moderate weather conditions have a lesser amount of worries about wear and tear caused from natural elements. But those located in higher humidity zones like the coast have concerns over the longevity of individual parts. What possible solutions are there for homeowners to implement so they can prolong the life of an outdoor light fixture and also save time, money and the environment?

Outdoor lighting fixtures are always vulnerable to coastal precipitation and strong winds. You want your fixtures to outlast and weather the tempest. The most important factor to consider when buying a product is the actual material it's made of. Many of these available fixtures are cast aluminum and forged iron. For coastal areas I’d recommend searching for stainless-steel fixtures which are denser and stronger due to a higher-pressured manufacturing process. Other highly recommended materials are resin, copper, glass and solid brass.

Secondly, look into rust prevention with the application of specific finishes like magnesium, titanium, zinc, copper and aluminum. During the ordering process, many manufacturers offer these options. Finishes act as a buffer zone (also known as a passivation layer) between the metal body and the outside elements. In corrosive conditions like those on the coast, using cadmium as an extra coating is preferred. Applying a layer of zinc (also known as galvanization) dramatically helps prolong a fixture’s lifespan. Aluminum as an extra additive to zinc has also proven to be a doubly effective solution. The aluminum will gravitate to areas like scratches and prevent further oxidization.

Rust prevention can be as simple as polishing your steel fixtures with a sheet of household aluminum dipped in water.

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