Steel is the default material for a lot of outdoor equipment, trash enclosures included. It's strong and relatively inexpensive, and a new steel enclosure looks great on the day it's installed. However, the problems usually show up a few seasons later, after the weather has had time to work on it.
CITIBIN trash enclosures are made from powder-coated aluminum to avoid the rust that eventually shows up on steel. The difference between the two materials becomes clearer the longer they sit outside.
How steel enclosures rust
Rust forms when the iron in steel reacts with water and oxygen. Steel enclosures are painted or coated to keep moisture away from the metal, which works as long as the coating stays intact.
On a busy street, it rarely stays intact for long. Doors get knocked and bins scrape against the sides, and every chip or scratch exposes bare steel where rust can start. From there it spreads underneath the surrounding paint, lifting it in bubbles and flakes, so a small scratch can grow into a large rusted patch over time.
When winter comes around, this process speeds this up. Road salt and slush splash onto anything close to the street, and salt makes steel corrode much faster. Galvanized steel, which has a zinc coating, lasts longer, but the zinc also wears away, especially at cut edges and welds.
Once rust takes hold, the enclosure either needs sanding and repainting to stay presentable or it's left to look worn. Left long enough, rust can weaken hinges and seams.
Why aluminum doesn't rust
Aluminum contains no iron, so it can't rust. When it's exposed to air, it forms a thin oxide layer on its surface that protects the metal underneath, and if that layer gets scratched, it forms again on its own.
A scratch on an aluminum enclosure stays a scratch. It won't turn orange or creep under the finish, and it won't eat into the structure.
Aluminum is also far lighter than steel, about a third of the weight for the same volume. That makes doors easier to open and the enclosure easier to install.
What powder coating adds
CITIBIN's aluminum cabinets have a powder-coated finish. Powder coating goes on as a dry powder and is then baked, which bonds it to the metal and gives it a harder, more even finish than liquid paint. It holds its color in the sun and handles everyday bumps well.
On a steel enclosure, the coating is the main protection against rust, so any damage to it becomes a problem. On aluminum, the coating is there for appearance and added protection, and the metal underneath stays sound even where the finish gets nicked.
How it holds up over time
A steel enclosure usually costs less up front, but that gap narrows once you factor in touch-up paint, repairs, and an earlier replacement. An aluminum enclosure like CITIBIN keeps its appearance with basic cleaning and doesn't need refinishing every few years to look presentable. A good way to judge the durability of a metal enclosure is to look at it in the rain. Do the drops sit on rusted areas? Rain drops don’t penetrate CITIBIN because of its aluminum base and powder-coated finish.
CITIBIN gleams in the rain. NOT CITIBIN.
If you're comparing trash enclosures, picture how each one will look after several different seasons outside. Browse CITIBIN's enclosures or request a quote to find the right fit for your property.
