About Our Steel Water Features
Our steel water features collection holds 13 pieces across four styles. Corten steel spheres come in three sizes (40 cm, 60 cm, 80 cm) from £419 to £925. Stainless steel waterfall blades come in 45 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm widths. Short and long lip options run from £89 to £219. Gilded cascade features with LED lighting start at £375. We also stock a Slate Column with Stainless Steel (£479) and a cast iron hand pump.
Every water feature recirculates water through a pump. No mains water connection is needed. You fill the reservoir once and top up as needed. Stainless steel pieces use grade 304 steel that resists corrosion. Corten steel develops a stable rust-orange patina that protects the core metal.
"The corten spheres are our standout sellers in this range. People expect the rust look to be a problem, but it is the opposite. Corten seals itself. The patina forms in 3–6 months and then the surface stabilises. No painting, no treating. I have had one on my own patio for four years. It looks better every season."
— Matt, Garden Ornaments
Types of Steel Water Features We Offer
Corten Steel Spheres
3 sizes from £419 to £925. Water flows over the sphere surface and returns to a hidden reservoir. The rust-orange patina develops naturally. Each sphere sits on a steel grate over a buried basin. Sizes: 40 cm, 60 cm, and 80 cm diameter.
Stainless Steel Waterfall Blades
5 blades from £89 to £219. Wall-mounted units that produce a smooth curtain of water. Available in 45 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm widths. Choose a 3 cm lip for a gentle trickle or 15 cm lip for a full sheet of water.
Gilded Cascade Features
2 LED-lit features at £375 and £429. Water cascades down tiered steel bowls with a warm gilded finish. Built-in LED lights illuminate the water flow at night. The Gilded Cascade is the taller of the two.
Cast Iron & Hybrid Pieces
3 pieces from £99 to £475. The Cast Iron Hand Pump is a decorative village-style pump. The Slate Column combines natural slate with a stainless steel spout. The Mermaid Bird Bath doubles as an ornament and water feature.
Steel Water Features Compared
| Type | Products | Price Range | Steel Grade | Maintenance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corten Spheres | 3 | £419 – £925 | Corten (weathering steel) | None — self-protecting patina | Modern gardens, gravel areas, patios |
| SS Waterfall Blades | 5 | £89 – £219 | 304 stainless | Wipe with steel cleaner quarterly | Wall-mounted, raised beds, pool edges |
| Gilded Cascades | 2 | £375 – £429 | Powder-coated steel | Annual check of LED connections | Patios, evening entertaining, decking |
| Cast Iron & Hybrid | 3 | £89 – £479 | Cast iron / 304 stainless | Iron: rust treatment every 2–3 yrs | Cottage gardens, traditional settings |
Quick Guide: Corten spheres suit modern, minimal gardens. Stainless blades work on any wall with a reservoir below. Gilded cascades are self-contained and plug-and-play. The cast iron pump is decorative only and does not pump water. Choose stainless for brightness or corten for a warm, evolving patina.
Matt's Installation Tip
Corten spheres stain light-coloured paving during the first 3–6 months. The initial rust wash runs off in rain before the patina stabilises. Place on dark stone, gravel, or use a plastic drip tray underneath for the first season. For waterfall blades, mount them 30–40 cm above the reservoir. Too high and the water splashes outside the basin. Too low and you lose the curtain effect.
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Matt's Pick for Steel Water FeaturesBest For: A contemporary garden centrepiece on a patio or gravel area Why I Recommend It: The 60 cm is the sweet spot. Large enough to see from across the garden but not so heavy it needs machinery. The corten patina develops within months and then the sphere looks after itself. Water rolls over the entire surface, catching light from every angle. Zero maintenance once the patina sets. Price: £599 |
Steel Water Features: Frequently Asked Questions
Corten develops a rust-orange patina; stainless stays mirror-bright. Corten steel contains copper and chromium that form a stable surface rust within 3–6 months. This patina protects the core metal and never needs treatment. Stainless steel (grade 304) resists all corrosion and keeps its polished finish permanently. Choose corten for warmth and texture, stainless for a clean modern look.
No, they recirculate the same water through a pump. Fill the reservoir once and top up when the level drops. Evaporation in summer means you may add water every 1–2 weeks. The pump plugs into a standard outdoor socket. We supply the pump and fittings with every feature.
Yes, during the first 3–6 months while the patina forms. Rain washes loose rust particles off the surface. This stains light paving orange. Once the patina stabilises, the run-off stops. Place on dark stone or gravel, or use a drip tray for the first season. Existing stains on paving can be removed with oxalic acid cleaner.
Short lip (3 cm) gives a gentle trickle; long lip (15 cm) produces a full water curtain. The 3 cm lip lets water fall close to the wall for a quieter, more subtle effect. The 15 cm lip projects the water outward in a smooth sheet. Pick short for bedrooms and seating areas where quiet matters. Pick long for a visual statement.
Switch the pump off when temperatures drop below 2°C. The steel itself handles any UK winter. The pump does not. Drain the reservoir or bring the pump indoors from November to March. Corten and stainless steel can stay outside permanently. Reconnect the pump in spring and refill.
Wipe with a stainless steel cleaner every 2–3 months. Limescale builds up in hard water areas. A proprietary steel cleaner or white vinegar on a soft cloth removes it. Always wipe in the direction of the grain. Avoid abrasive pads. The blades are polished and scratches show.
No, salt spray disrupts the protective patina formation. Corten steel needs dry periods between wettings to form its stable oxide layer. Constant salt spray prevents this and causes deep corrosion like ordinary steel. If you are within a mile of the coast, choose stainless steel or natural stone instead.