Metal at Home: Properties and Care

Metal

Powder-coated metal is the backbone of the furniture that has to hold weight without taking up room: wall shelves, floating bedside tables, shoe racks and hooks. The coating is baked on rather than painted, so the finish is part of the surface instead of a layer waiting to chip. In the SantHome range it appears where a slim profile matters more than mass. Metal takes a thinner section than wood for the same load, leaving a wall-mounted piece visually quiet.

Properties

Powder coating is baked on, not painted: an electrostatically applied powder cured under heat until it fuses into the surface
More chip- and scratch-resistant than a wet-painted finish
Thinner cross-section than wood or plastic for the same load-bearing strength
No solvents involved in application, unlike liquid paint
Resists rust well under normal indoor conditions, though the finish can dull under abrasive cleaning

Care

Wipe with a damp cloth and dry it off. Avoid abrasive pads and solvent cleaners, which dull a powder-coated finish permanently.

Caring for Metal Fittings

Metal FAQs

Will a powder-coated metal shelf rust?

Not under normal indoor conditions. The powder coating is baked on and fuses into the surface, sealing the metal underneath, as long as the finish is not scraped through.