[MassHistPres] Alternative Suggestions to Corten (Rusting Guardrail) use in Historic Districts

[Dennis De Witt]

When MassHighway rebuilt Rte. 9 in Brookline next to the historic Brookline Reservoir they used standard bright silver galvi guardrail.  I would have loved to have had them spend the extra for Corten in that context.

As Corten costs more, your DPW may have been trying to be sensitive -- or they were factoring in long term costs.  

FYI, for anyone unfamiliar with it, Corten steel contains some copper.  When it rusts the rust becomes a stable oxidized patina and, absent abrasion, which is self-"healing", further rusting is prevented.  Conventional galvanized guardrail is electrolytically protected by a surface coating of zinc which is sacrificed rather than the steel.  But it is not self-"healing" if abraded.  Eventually the zinc and the protection is lost and the steel then rusts away.

Dennis De Witt


On Mar 22, 2012, at 10:58 AM, edmond nickerson wrote:

> Help! Looking for alternatives to the use of the hideous Core 10, a/k/a "rusting guardrail" by
> Department of Public Works in pristine Historic District, which also addresses "safety" and 
> "liability" issues.  Surely in this great land of ours, someone must have employed an alternative
> fabric which addresses both code/safety issues and aesthetics in areas abounding with historic
> landmarks and period homes/businesses. Looking for a natural (not man-made) solution which
> passes muster for all stakeholders.  E-mail edmondr.nickerson at gmail.com or call 401-255-7854
> Thank you!
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