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 allows increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion compared to other steels. The steel forms a protective layer on its surface under the influence of the weather. The layer protecting the surface develops and regenerates continuously - the steel can rust to form a protective coating. All rust is water-soluble.
Our steel planter walls begin as steel sheets; the walls are precision cut to specified dimensions on a laser-cutter, then formed, meticulously assembled, and precisely welded. Metal planters are most vulnerable at their base; at Tournesol, we create our steel planters with stainless steel bases to extend planter life and reduce rust and staining of adjacent surfaces.
Our weathering steel products are A588 and A606 grade, shipped un-weathered with the natural mill scale finish. The presence of scale will affect the appearance of rust. These products may begin to rust in transit. Although the initial rust patina develops within weeks, complete rusting may take years to advance. The uniformity of the rust finish and rate of rust formation varies considerably based on environmental conditions, including humidity, salt (seashore), and temperature elements at the installation location. Weathering Steel oxidizes from a vibrant orange to a deep red-orange/darker brown color. Its warm industrial aesthetic is a favorite of many landscape architects.
Powder-Coated Steel
Proper surface preparation is essential for quality powder-coating. Our process that 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.
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
We cast GFRC products in our plant in Juarez, Mexico. GFRC is glass fiber reinforced concrete and is made by combining a mixture of lightfast pigments, fine sand, cement, polymer, water, and alkali-resistant glass fibers.
Our GFRC products are available in five textures and a palette of colors. See all of these textures and colors on our Samples & Finishes page.
The glass fibers used in GFRC help give this unique compound its strength. Alkali-resistant fibers act as the principal tensile load-carrying member, while the polymer and concrete matrix bind the threads together and helps transfer loads from one fiber to another. Without fibers, GFRC would not possess its strength and would be more prone to breakage and cracking.
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 'Designer' paint colors have metal particles added that create a polychromatic metallic finish.
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.
Thermally Modified Hardwood
Our thermally modified wood is manufactured from hardwoods 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 subject to minimal expansion or shrinking. 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 type of coniferous, softwood tree commonly found in western North America, 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 with a reddish-brown color. Highly resistant to decay and insect damage, its properties present strength, durability, and versatility for outdoor applications.
Red Cedar
Native to western North America, Red Cedar is a type of 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.
Ipe
We can provide Ipe, a type of hardwood native to Central and South America.
Recycled Plastic Lumber
Our recycled plastic lumber is a milk-bottle based, recycled plastic lumber which maintains its structure and durability.