When water meets the garden, it gives the space a dynamic rhythm. From gurgling waterfalls to tranquil mirrored pools, metal water features not only enhance the sensory experience, but also breathe life into your yard.

We recommend using corten steel as the core material. Its unique rust-colored texture mirrors the flowing water, which is resistant to erosion over time, but can also develop an artistic texture over time.

Here are 9 creative designs to help you create a garden water fountain that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Corten Steel Water Sculpture

• Design highlights: The corten steel is used to forge the hollow lattice corten water wall, and the water flows through the irregular grid to form a water curtain, together with the copper-green oxidized layer, creating a David Harper-style modern art installation.
• Advantages of corten steel: No additional corrosion treatment is needed, the natural rust layer forms a protective film, suitable for coastal humid environments, with a service life of more than 50 years. 
• Placement Tip: Corten water features placed in the center axis or corner of the courtyard and use the change of light and shadow to create a dramatic contrast between the rust color and the metal outdoor water fountain.

Corten Steel Water Table

• Functional Aesthetics: Semi-elevated corten steel water table with water curtains overflowing like curtains on both sides, paired with Cambria slate countertops, a fusion of Middle Eastern flavor and industrial texture.
• Installation points: embedded in the center of the outdoor dining area, the water depth is controlled at 5-8cm, and the bottom of the hidden circulating water pump to achieve zero-noise operation.
• Scene extension: floating candles on the water surface in winter, rust-colored steel body and warm light, creating a warm atmosphere.

Corten Steel Pool Border

• Structural innovation: corten steel is used as the metal pool border material, the thickness of 22-gauge steel ensures resistance to deformation under water pressure, and the rusty color creates a color impact with the turquoise blue pool water.
• Ecological Considerations: The corten steel water fountain frame holds the filtration system in place and reduces the use of chemicals, in addition to the aquatic planting tanks.
• Peter Reed's design rule: the orientation of the pool needs to take into account the length of sunlight and protection from falling leaves, and the corten steel features surface can project tree shadows to enhance the artistic sense of reflection.

Corten Steel Water Curtain Wall

• Size options: starting at 1 meter high, minimum footprint of 0.5 square meters, suitable for narrow alleys or balconies. Mirrored and corten steel curtain walls are spliced together to create a “rusty mirror” contrast to the flow of water.
• Cost reference: laser cut patterns to be customized, no maintenance required once rust layer is stabilized.
• Acoustic design: adjustable speed of water flow, high speed water flow is suitable for blocking out city noise, low speed water flow creates a meditative atmosphere.

Corten Steel Spherical Water Feature

• Material combination: corten steel sphere with base, solar powered water pump with no wiring, suitable for campgrounds or rooftop gardens.
• Granite mix: coarse granite base with rusty steel sphere to form texture collision, can be embellished with moss to soften the line.
• Cluster effect: three spheres of different diameters are staggered, and the sound of water flow is superimposed to form a natural soundscape.

Corten Steel Water Bowl

• Weathering process: uncoated blue steel water bowl, sprayed with salt water to accelerate rusting, varnished to fix the color after satisfaction, 6 sizes for different scenes.
• Reflection Art: The still water surface reflects potted plants or the sky, and the rust-colored rim of the bowl becomes a natural picture frame, suitable for Japanese-style landscape gardens.
• Maintenance Tips: Wipe off floating dust with a soft cloth every week and avoid using steel wire balls to damage the rust layer.

Corten Steel Flower Cascade Table

• Structural design: corten steel cascade table is reserved for planter slots, planting ferns or alums, water flow overflows from the top stone slab, forming “green waterfall” effect.
• Flood prevention design: Metal flower pots are isolated from the water flow area, and a gravel layer is laid at the bottom, which is both aesthetically pleasing and protects the plant root system from air permeability.
• Space-saving: the narrow terrace can be installed vertically, 1.2-meter-high flower waterfall table occupies an area of only 0.3 square meters.

Corten Steel Water Blade Fountain

• Waterjet technology: corten steel water fountain supports water blade, the water flow is an ultra-thin outdoor water curtain, with LED light strips to form a light and shadow waterfall.
• Transformation program: can be added to the edge of an existing pond, or as a stand-alone water feature, the thickness of the water blade is only 0.5mm, the visual effect is light.
• Energy Saving Mode: Intelligent sensing system, the water flow is enhanced when people are near, and turns to micro-flow mode when they leave, saving 70% of water.

Corten Steel Step Water Canal

• Water flow logic: hidden waterfall at the top of the staircase, diverting water flow through corten steel U-channel to form “water step”, the bottom of the water reservoir circulating pump consumes only 15W.
• Interactive design: shallow water area can be stepped on with bare feet, stainless steel anti-slip surface treatment, suitable for family-friendly scenes.
• Bio-friendly: The step platform is planted with irises and other aquatic plants, attracting dragonflies and building a miniature ecosystem.

Corten Steel Water Feature Maintenance Tips 

Three Steps of Rust Layer Maintenance

1. Daily cleaning: Wipe with a soft cloth dipped in 1:1 white vinegar water to remove scale without damaging the rust layer.
2. Winter protection: no need to evacuate the area above -5℃, the north needs to remove the water pump and cover the tarpaulin.
3. Rust layer repair: sandpaper grinding at local bumps, apply transparent protective agent after 3-5 days of exposure to natural rust.

Maintenance Points For Water Pump

• Check the water level every week; the pump body needs to be completely submerged; replenish water every 3 days in summer.
• Soak the pump head in white vinegar water for 2 hours every month to prevent algae from clogging.
• Solar pumps should be Regularly clean the dust of photovoltaic panels to ensure the efficiency of power supply.