If you've been browsing our wall art or wall panels, you'll notice we now offer three material options - Aluminium, Rusted (Redcor), and our newest addition, Raw Steel. Each one has its own look, personality, and care routine, so here's everything you need to know to choose the right finish for your space.
A quick note: Raw Steel is our newest finish and is currently available on a select range of products, with more being added all the time. If you don't see it as an option on a piece you love, check back soon - or get in touch and we'll let you know what's coming.
What Is Aluminium?
Aluminium is a lightweight, rust-resistant metal that holds its appearance with minimal maintenance. It has a clean, modern finish straight out of the box - smooth, precise, and consistent in colour. Because it doesn't rust or corrode, aluminium is equally at home indoors or outdoors, making it one of the most versatile materials we work with.
If you want a piece that looks sharp from day one and stays that way with very little effort, aluminium is your material.
Best for:
- Indoor living spaces, bedrooms, and feature walls
- Covered outdoor areas like patios and pergolas
- Anyone who wants a clean, contemporary aesthetic
- Low-maintenance households
What Is Redcor?
Redcor is a type of weathering steel - a high-strength steel alloy that, when exposed to the elements, develops a rich, rustic rust patina on its surface. This patina isn't damage. It's actually a protective layer that forms naturally over time and gives each piece a completely unique, one-of-a-kind finish.
No two Redcor pieces ever look exactly the same. The colour evolves from a bright orange-rust when new, deepening into warm browns and earthy tones as it weathers. It's raw, industrial, and unmistakably Australian.
Best for:
- Outdoor gardens, fences, and feature walls
- Rustic, industrial, or earthy interior styles
- Anyone who loves the idea of a piece that changes and develops character over time
- Statement pieces that start conversations
What Is Raw Steel?
Raw Steel is exactly what it sounds like - steel in its most natural, untreated state. It has a cool, gunmetal-grey industrial look with subtle surface variation, so every piece carries its own character straight off the laser bed. If aluminium is polished and Redcor is all warm orange-rust tones, Raw Steel sits between them: bare, honest metal with a moody, monochrome edge.
The one thing to know is that raw steel is untreated, so it will naturally begin to oxidise and develop surface rust over time if it isn't sealed. That's not a flaw - it's just the nature of bare steel, and it gives you two ways to enjoy your piece. To keep that crisp, fresh-cut industrial look, seal it: a thin coat of clear lacquer spray or a wax-based metal sealant applied soon after it arrives locks in the finish, with a quick reseal every 6–12 months depending on your environment. Prefer the aged, rustic feel? Simply leave it untreated and let it develop a naturally weathered patina over time - just know that uncoated raw steel will keep oxidising.
Either way, Raw Steel is happiest indoors or in dry, covered areas, away from prolonged moisture or humidity.
Best for:
- Industrial, warehouse, and modern-minimalist interiors
- Anyone after a bare-metal, monochrome aesthetic without the orange-rust tones of Redcor
- Indoor feature walls and statement pieces in dry, covered spaces
- People happy to do a little upkeep - a quick yearly reseal - to keep that raw finish looking its best
Side by Side: The Key Differences
| Aluminium | Redcor | Raw Steel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Clean, smooth, consistent | Raw, rustic, evolving rust patina | Natural bare-metal, industrial grey |
| Rust | Will not rust | Intentionally rusts — that's the look | Will rust if left unsealed — seal to prevent |
| Maintenance | Wipe down occasionally | Minimal — let nature do the work | Seal on arrival, reseal every 6–12 months |
| Best location | Indoors or covered outdoors | Outdoors or well-ventilated indoors | Indoors or dry, covered areas |
| Style | Modern, contemporary | Rustic, industrial, earthy | Industrial, monochrome, minimalist |
| Uniqueness | Consistent finish | Every piece is one of a kind | Natural surface variation — one of a kind |
Which Should You Choose?
Go with Aluminium if you want something that looks polished and precise, works anywhere in the home, and requires virtually no upkeep. It's the safe choice - and safe doesn't mean boring. Our aluminium pieces are striking, detailed, and built to last.
Go with Redcor if you want something that tells a story. If you love the idea of a piece that evolves over time, develops its own character, and brings that raw, rugged Australian feel to your space - Redcor is unlike anything else on the market.
Go with Raw Steel if you're drawn to a cooler, industrial look - bare metal with a monochrome, warehouse-inspired edge. It's the choice for modern and minimalist interiors where you want the honesty of steel without the orange-rust tones of Redcor. Just remember it likes a protective seal and a dry indoor spot to stay looking its best.
Can't decide? You don't have to overthink it. Aluminium and Redcor are available right across our wall art and wall panels range, and Raw Steel is rolling out across a growing selection of pieces — so just check the material options on each product page and choose the finish that suits your space, your style, and your personality.
Ready to find your piece?
Browse our full range of laser-cut wall art and wall panels and choose your material at checkout.