COR-TEN steel (weathering steel), is a group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance if exposed to the weather for several years. Weathering steel is popularly used in outdoor sculptures, and as exterior facades, for its rustic antique appearance. It is also widely used in marine environments due to its appearance and durability with little maintainence.

This project is located at a residence in San Francisco, California (an environment high in moisture and salt). COR-TEN is the perfect material to construct a stylish railing that can hold up to the seaside weather. Building a rail out of COR-TEN is no more time consuming than mild steel, but the materials (steel, welding wire) required to build are significantly more expensive that mild steel.