Garden planter urns are a striking addition to your home decoration. They can deliver architectural attractions and add visual interest to any landscape. Available in various materials, but they generally fall into three types: stone, ceramic, and metal. “So, which one should I choose?” Through this article, VIC will give you a comprehensive understanding of each type to make your decision easier than ever.
What is a garden urn, and what is it used for?
First thing first, what is a planter urn?
It is a unique type of container used to cultivate beautiful flower bouquets, hold small shrubs, small trees, formal group planting, etc.
Planter urns, garden planters, vases, or flower pots are the focal point and the stunning ornament; they give an impressive grandeur and visual punch to your space.
Furthermore, these decorative containers come with a massive selection of materials, so picking the right item for your home can be quite overwhelming.
Ceramic vs Stone vs Cast iron urn planter
VIC believes that a decent comprehension of each material’s advantages and drawbacks benefits your decision significantly. So let’s get into it!
Ceramic flower pots
The majority of ceramic urns are pottery vessels made of clay, earthen elements, powders, and water mixtures and formed into desired shapes. The urn is then coated in decorative, paint-like substances known as glazes to ensure that the surface does not distort and reaches an outstanding waterproof level.
Pros
In shielding the plant from fluctuations in temperature, the thick walls play a crucial role.
As a result, this ceramic urn will be the best option for each potted plant.
In particular, these ceramic pots have become popular due to their artistic effects. They provide an ageless and elegant display to your space. Available in a wide variety of eye-catching color glazes and designs, you can easily choose one based on your preference and the plant you expect to grow in it.
Although ceramic looks heavy, it is literally lightweight. It is lighter than other metals, ranging from around 3 g/cc and, of course, is lighter than stone. Ceramic planters are, therefore, a more compact and flexible option.
Cons
However, ceramic planters are likely to fit better indoors than outdoor or yard furnishings because they are more costly and their rate of damage is higher than the other two.
Scientific evidence suggests that ceramic is reliable, strong in compression, but vulnerable in shearing and pressure. It is a typical example of brittle materials. Hence, even with high-end ceramic pots, which are very robust, brittleness still seems to happen.
Placing ceramic urns outside can be hazardous because when exposed to extreme temperatures like extreme cold, because when the water in the soil freezes, it expands, then the soil will also expand, contributing to the likelihood of cracking or breaking.
Furthermore, since ceramic is made of clay – a porous material, air and water can travel and pass through the sides easily. Therefore, plants will dry out faster, discouraging root growth and the plant’s well-being, so frequent watering is needed.
Stone flower pots
A stone planter or cast stone urn planter is the traditional preference for garden planters. They are the grand centerpiece for any room, office, outdoor landscape, or patio seating area and can be used separately or set in a wide array.
Pros
Due to the extremely durable and well-suited permanent fixtures, stone planter urns are widely used in commercial and residential areas.
Stone flower pots are built to last and an environmentally friendly investment. Talking about longevity, the stone urn is far beyond compare. Planters made of stone are classic, robust, and frost-proof; they can withstand flawlessly any element or even the harshest climate, from rain, snow, extreme heat to severe impacts, etc.
Besides, stone flower pots are less permeable than some other urn materials, which retain the water in the pot and benefit your plants from better growing conditions.
Cons
On the other hand, along with the excellent resistance and life-long strength, stone urns are heavy. Thus, they are not easy to move. So when you fancy using them, be cautious about the fact that relocation might be unfortunate.
Moreover, regardless of the cause from the weather or living creatures, overtime outdoor urns are prone to stain, and there is no way to prevent that.
Also, stone urns are different in color range compared to the other types as they are only available in earthy tones. Some individuals think that is the limitation of stone planters, but not everyone shares the same aesthetic. Others believe that the color is actually a charming attribute of the stone urns.
You can find garden urns with vibrant colors in various materials. Yet, only simple stone garden urns can blend well and bring your place classic, elegant and nuanced feelings in any situation.
Metal garden pots
The metal urn planter usually come in a set, including a fabulous ornate pattern planter and a pedestal riser. And cast iron is the most prevalent metal used in casting planter urns.
Pros
The cast iron urn, which is customizable, offers various aesthetics. These garden planters are identified as the centerpiece statue of you in both interior and exterior settings. They reveal an ageless, vintage, and majestic look that can complement any decorating theme and landscapes, from the historical and colonial to formal and contemporary places.
So what makes them so dominant?
The signature and also the controversial feature of cast iron urn is the old crusty, rusty, well-worn patina.
In fact, the continually changing patina for a rusty warm color contrasts beautifully with your plantings. This unusual characteristic is assumed to be desirable for many people who favor a fantastic rustic covering for the antique visual. However, it doesn’t mean that cast iron urn planter can’t accommodate the needs of those who into a more modern appearance.
Quite the opposite, producers can decide to freshen up the cast iron urn’s surface with a topcoat to obtain a brand-new metallic shine that can ideally match customers’ expectations.
Though the patina will eventually happen, it does not affect the quality of the metal urn or its consistency. Actually, cast iron is well-known for its incredible strength and pressure resistance; therefore, the cast iron planter can weather fine with tension, damage, and are made to last for years of beauty.
Cons
Even so, the cast iron urn still has some disadvantages that you need to take into account. One of which is that cast iron planter can be reasonably heavy.
To prevent the case of being blown over or damaged by external impact factors, cast iron urn is the optimal decision, but as a result, heaviness is inevitable. Another undesirable point is that cast iron can absorb heat readily, which in the long run may heat up the interior, and the excessive heat can burn the plant.
To solve this problem, cast iron urn manufacturers are now implementing an ideal coating technique to prevent sun heat. Also, you can position the metal urn in shady areas, or a handling tip would be placing a form of plastic fitted containers inside the cast iron planter to reduce the heat exposure.
Conclusion
Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider buying an urn planter should be based on various factors such as: “Will you be moving your planter? Do you want it to be colorful or earthy in color tone? Will there be drastic temperature changes?”
But if you are looking for a sturdy container that can last for generations yet obtains timeless style. Then your best pick would be the cast iron urn.
Remarkably, VIC carries a complete line of cast iron urn planter, with a colossal selection and wide variability of styles available. Welcome to visit our cast iron categories to find the one that fits yours.
Besides, we offer to customize cast iron urn planters to your liking, based on durable cast iron construction and desired coating. It is our pleasure to bring you a durable yet intricate and well-made piece of garniture that is definitely a stunning splash of design to your space.