Metal Fabrication
In Port Orchard, WA, we manufacture planters and site furnishings in aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, and weathering steel. Whether starting with metal castings, pipe, sheet metal, or strap, our metal fabrication process requires many labor-intensive steps.
We have a wide range of metal fabrication capabilities, including laser cutting, bending, and shaping. We use state-of-the art laser cutters and laser welders to produce the highest quality products. Our quality control process includes dry-fitting all modular projects to ensure a clean fit for seams and connection points.
Aluminum
Our aluminum planters, manufactured at our Port Orchard plant in Washington, resist corrosion, do not rust, are easy to maintain, and 100% recyclable.
Tournesol's aluminum products match steel's performance but impressively weigh only 40-60% of steel, easing delivery, installation, and meeting on-structure load constraints. We forge strength from a consistent 1/8" thickness of ASTM B209 5052-H32 marine-grade aluminum alloy, using precision engineering, box-beam stiffeners, and FEA (Finite Element Analysis). With a single material thickness, we are able to ensure lightweight products and consistent edge detail at any scale.
Our engineering capabilities set us apart from our competitors as we can adapt seamlessly to large-scale projects while maintaining structural integrity. Our production process involves precise laser-cutting and welding for clean edges and watertightness. Then, products are dry steam washed and pretreated with a closed loop, environmentally friendly zirconium solution before applying a zinc-free epoxy primer and polyester powder-coat.
Weathering Steel
Weathering Steel planters offer a warm industrial aesthetic favored by many landscape architects and withstands atmospheric corrosion. Its natural red-orange oxidization forms a protective patina that develops and regenerates continuously. Our A588 and A606 grade steel planters are meticulously assembled and welded and come with stainless steel bases to extend their lifespan.
Weathering Steel
Our Weathering Steel ships with a natural mill scale finish. The initial oxidation develops within weeks and evolves over time. Environmental conditions such as humidity, salt, and the temperature at installation can affect rust uniformity and formation rate. The color develops from a vibrant orange to a deep reddish-brown.
Pre-Weathered Steel
Our Pre-Weathered Steel finishing treatment process helps to accelerate the natural weathering look of steel. Pre-Weathered Steel products undergo an earth-friendly pre-treatment, which steps up the oxidation process timeline to help achieve the desired visual result faster.
Our process begins by grit-blasting the raw mill scale surface; next we treat it with an all-natural solution of hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and salt. Treated products cure for a day before being individually wrapped in paper and then plastic before shipping.
Raw mill scale steel and treated surfaces can be powdery and may show markings during delivery and installation. These changes are affected by humidity levels and storage.
Weathering Steel products should be unwrapped upon arrival and stored indoors if possible. Shedding during unpacking and storing may occur; protect flooring during storage and installation.
Powder-Coated Steel
Proper surface preparation is essential for quality powder-coating. Our process starts with perfecting the surface with grinding.
After cleaning surface contaminants, a zinc-rich primer that protects the steel against oxidation/rusting, is applied, providing intercoat adhesion to the steel and a protective base layer.
Once this extensive preparation is completed, a high-quality polyester powder-coat is applied electrostatically and cured.
| WILSHIRE PLANTERS | WEIGHT | |||||
| PRODUCT | SHAPE | L | W | H | ALUMINUM | STEEL |
| WWR-AL2400 / WWR-CS2400 | Square | 24" | 24" | 24" | 44 lbs. | 106 lbs. |
| WWR-AL483024 / WWR-CS483024 | Rectangle | 48" | 30" | 24" | 85 lbs. | 167 lbs. |
| WWR-AL964824 / WWR-CS964824 | Rectangle | 96" | 48" | 24" | 190 lbs. | 394 lbs. |
| KITSAP PLANTERS | WEIGHT | |||||
| PRODUCT | SHAPE | L | W | H | ALUMINUM | STEEL |
| KIT-AL / KIT-PC freestanding outside corner with top lip | Square | 36" | 36" | 36" | 61 lbs. | 149 lbs. |
| KIT-AL / KIT-PC freestanding straight with top lip | Rectangle | 48" | 24" | 24" | 36 lbs. | 89 lbs. |
| KIT-AL / KIT-PC Anchored straight with top lip | Rectangle | 96" | 9" | 24" | 51 lbs. | 113 lbs. |
Wood
All our wood products are built in our Port Orchard, Washington, facility.
Whether you specify a tropical species, or a thermally modified wood, all wood exposed to elements will turn silver/gray. This process can be slowed by applying protectant sealers, but even UV sealants can't hold up to long-term exposure, so, at Tournesol, we prefer to oil wood before delivery.
Wood changes over time
Our wood products arrive with UV-protectant oil to slow the aging process, but natural aging will still occur. Your furniture and planters will naturally develop a rich brown patina that transforms into an elegant silver-gray patina within 6-24 months, depending on the level of sun exposure. This aging process is expected; your products are durable and long-lasting.
Thermally Modified Hardwood
Our thermally modified wood is manufactured from hardwood harvested in the Northeast, typically Oak. The wood is milled and thermally processed, heated in a kiln, naturally producing a deep, rich color. This color is unique to each piece of wood and each batch in the kiln is subject to variation.
Like any natural wood product, the surface of thermally modified wood will turn silver/gray once exposed to UV sunlight. Although the wood color will change, the durability and decay resistance remain the same. Our thermally modified hardwood is dimensionally stable and exhibits minimal expansion or shrinkage. In addition, the altered cell structure keeps the wood from absorbing moisture, which causes typical warping, twisting, cupping, and cracking.
Whether in planters or site furnishings, all wood elements of our products are treated with Penofin® Oil before delivery. Designed for long-term use in commercial exterior applications, they can also be applied indoors.
Douglas Fir
A coniferous softwood tree commonly found in western North America, the Douglas Fir is a strong and dense wood with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio. It has a straight grain and a moderately coarse texture, characterized by a reddish-brown color. Highly resistant to decay and insect damage, its properties present strength, durability, and versatility for outdoor applications.
Western Red Cedar
Native to western North America, Red Cedar is a softwood tree, highly valued for its resistance to decay and insects, durability, and attractive reddish-brown color. The wood is lightweight yet solid and stable, with a straight, uniform grain and a fine, even texture. Red Cedar has a pleasant, distinctive aroma due to the natural oils that help protect it from decay and insects.
Recycled Plastic Lumber
Our recycled plastic lumber is a milk-bottle based, recycled plastic lumber which maintains its structure and durability.
Greenscreen® Trellis
Our rigid and lightweight three-dimensional trellis panels are fabricated from 14-gauge galvanized steel wire in accordance with ASTM A641. The wire is welded at intersections to form a 2" x 2" face grid on the front and back of each panel. Bent wire trusses are spaced at 2" centers and welded to the front and back of each face grid at the truss apex, separating the two face grids and creating their 3" depth. Panels are made to order, customizable, and powder-coated. Panels can be installed horizontally or vertically, mounted to walls or between posts, as infill or overhead with steel supports.
GFRC Lightweight Concrete
All of our GFRC products are cast in our plant in Juarez, Mexico. GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) is made by combining lightfast pigments, sand, cement, polymer, water, and anti-corrosive, alkali-resistant glass fibers.
These glass fibers are what give GFRC its unique strength. They increase tensile performance, help control cracking by binding the matrix, and offer a non-corrosive alternative to traditional steel reinforcement. The result is a material that’s significantly lighter and more durable than conventional concrete.
GFRC offers several sustainability advantages over traditional concrete. By replacing steel reinforcement with glass fibers and using less cement, it significantly reduces its carbon footprint. The manufacturing process is less energy-intensive, and the material’s strength and durability minimize the need for repairs or replacement, reducing the environmental impact over the product's lifecycle.
Our GFRC products are available in five textures and a palette of colors. See all of these textures and colors on our Materials & Finishes page.
GFRC products have the appearance of poured concrete but are lighter and stronger. Thin layers of materials are hand-applied to mold interiors with added strength from layers of fiberglass. Our production process is different for each of our GFRC textures. All GFRC products include binders to resist cracking and efflorescence.
Interior Sealant
Once cast, our planters have an interior sealant added as a water-resistant, damp-proofing layer to prevent most efflorescence and cracking.
Optional Waterproofing
TourneSeal, an optional waterproofing, can be applied to the planter interior. Once coated, we test for watertightness and recommend our customers do an additional test after installation before filling.
Exterior Sealant
Concrete is a porous surface that absorbs moisture and minerals, which can cause changes to the surface appearance. To preserve original appearance, our GFRC is sealed with clear concrete sealer.
FRP Fiberglass
Our commercial-grade FRP planters are highly durable, last longer than plastic, and will endure in most winter climates. Our labor-intensive process results in a uniform, consistent quality product; a great lightweight choice for rooftop applications. FRP is available in 3 textures; Smooth, Rough Stucco, and Orange Peel.
FRP Painting
After surface preparation, products are primed with an industrial-grade primer. Our products are then painted with industrial-grade polyurethane enamel. Our Metallic paint colors have metal particles added that create a polychromatic metallic finish.