Bare steel is formed from iron, which is easily oxidized by moisture, salt and air. All that means is that atoms of iron bond with atoms of oxygen to form a molecule that makes up that brown stain you see on metal. The iron gives it that signature color.
If you look closely you will see the rusted metal has a rather porous look. Get enough rust particles together and you will get metal with weak spots that can eventually crumble. In the water front houses, due to constant high moisture level, the structures cannot survive more than 5-10 years (depending on the treatment of the steel). Therefore, every 10 years the home would need to be rebuild or significantly renovated to increase strength in the metal structure. But with the Corofree treatment – the metal structure in the highly moisture and salty environments will be protected for over 30 years.
Building with steel is the best investment you will ever make. Steel is durable, safe, and is environmentally friendly. But it will only remain so if its surface is properly protected with the appropriate coating.
To compare durability of Corofree to other treated steel structures: