Like standard steel, weathering steel plate is blue-silver in its original state, but it quickly and naturally develops a patina or rust layer that continues to bond and deepen over time, changing from the initial blue-silver color to the popular rusty orange-brown color. This "rustic" color has proven to blend well into gardens, backyards, parks and other outdoor spaces.

The rate at which copper green develops depends on the environment the steel is exposed to, such as temperature changes, humidity and proximity to bodies of water. In our experience, copper green forms faster when the steel is exposed to multiple cycles of wet and dry environments. We have also found that patina forms faster on cold rolled material (18 GA plate or thinner) than on hot rolled material (16 GA plate or thicker). The patina continues to change, becoming darker in tone and texture over time, blending perfectly with the surrounding landscape.