Grid Hardening Starts Today
The Science and History of Desert Varnish
March 20, 2025
Overhead view of a Natina-treated lattice tower.
Materials That Meet Modern Engineering Standards
Imagine a line of power poles stretching across a remote ridgeline. The sun shines, birds chirp and all seems calm. Suddenly, the wind picks up and lightning strikes igniting dry brush. A wildfire erupts. In moments, that serene landscape becomes a battleground against nature’s fury.
If those poles are wooden, the outcome might be dire.
This scenario underscores why grid hardening has become a nationwide imperative.
What Is Grid Hardening?
Grid hardening is preparing utility systems to handle disruption before it strikes. By designing infrastructure to withstand threats like wildfires, hurricanes and ice storms, utilities can significantly limit disruptions and restore power faster. It also means responding quickly with the right materials and deploying to restore power safely. When done right, grid hardening helps utilities protect what matters, deliver reliable service and support energy demand in an increasingly electrified world.¹
Natina-treated pole installed for grid hardening and durability.
The Limitations of Wooden Poles
Wooden utility poles have long been a staple due to their affordability and ease of installation. However, they present several challenges:
• Fire Risk: Wood is combustible, posing significant hazards in wildfire-prone regions.
• Decay and Pests: Susceptible to rot, insects and environmental degradation.
• Variable Lifespan: Many utilities report average service lives between 30 to 50 years.²
• Environmental Concerns: Treated wood can leach chemicals into the soil, raising ecological issues.
These factors contribute to increased maintenance costs and potential service disruptions.
The Advantages of Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel poles offer a reliable alternative, addressing many of the shortcomings of wood:
• Longevity: Lifespans of 50 to 80 years depending on conditions.³
• Fire Resistance: Non-combustible, reducing wildfire risks.
• Durability: Resistant to pests, rot and environmental wear.
• Lower Maintenance: Requires less frequent inspections and treatments.
• Environmental Benefits: Recyclable and free from harmful chemical treatments.
The long-term savings and reliability make galvanized steel an attractive option for modern infrastructure.⁴
Addressing Aesthetic Concerns
Despite their functional benefits, galvanized steel poles have faced criticism for their shiny, industrial appearance, which can clash with natural landscapes and community aesthetics.
Introducing Natina: Blending Strength with Beauty
Natina offers a solution that marries the durability of galvanized steel with aesthetics. Our proprietary treatment reacts with the galvanized surface to produce a rustic brown finish, allowing poles to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
Benefits include:
• Climate agnostic: Performs in dry, wet, humid or coastal areas
• Enhanced Aesthetics: Achieves a rustic look that complements natural environments.
• Preserved Durability: Maintains the protective qualities of galvanized steel.
• Eco-Friendly: Utilizes environmentally safe processes.
• Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for additional coatings or frequent replacements.⁵
With Natina, utilities no longer have to choose between resilience and aesthetics. They can have both.
And with the right materials, like Natina, resilience doesn’t have to come at the expense of design. You can strengthen the grid and preserve the view.
Discover how Natina is redefining energy infrastructure aesthetics. Visit How Natina Impacts Energy & Utilities to learn more.
Crews install Natina-treated lattice tower section using crane in mountainous terrain.
Footnotes:
1. Utility Pole Maintenance and Upgrades Resilience Investment Guide, U.S. Department of Energy
2. Estimated Service Life of Wood Poles, Woodpoles.org
3. Steel Distribution Poles, American Galvanizers Association
4. Take a Second Look at Steel: Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Sustainable, American Galvanizers Association
5. Steel Utility Poles Versus Wood, Steel Times International
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We used Natina Rock Solution to help visually mitigate some scarring on a small rock bench in the Yosemite National Park. I was very pleased with the results of the solution and found it to be appropriate and beneficial for this type of use.
Brad Lewis
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Natina is the perfect treatment for many landscape projects. When metalwork and concrete are a part of our exterior landscape designs, Natina offers an ideal way to create a natural look for introduced elements. Our office has specified Natina on metal, concrete, and even boulders to achieve the right color for natural landscapes. We’ve used Natina on items that need to function within the urban landscape as barriers and to direct pedestrian movement. The clients also like the low maintenance or need for sealers on the finished product. Natina reps are so helpful in ensuring that the details are addressed for the perfect end result!
Janet Waibel
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Thurston County used Natina’s Reactive Color Treatment on our most recent installation of guardrail along Waddell Creek Road and Gate Road. Natina’s final finish provided an aesthetic shade of brown to blend into the beautiful surrounding environment. This natural look was a must-have along Thurston County’s Bountiful Byway.
Brian Meier
Thurston County Public Works
For our project in the Shoshone National Forest, there is a significant color reaction between the Natina Concrete Solution and the shotcrete wall (along with soil-nailing). In just over 2 weeks, the color treatment progress was extremely successful in mitigating the brighter gray surface. In our opinion, it better blends into the slope than the adjacent monotone single color block retaining wall. Natina Solutions plus material costs and two USFS salary days was very cost-effective and saved us time and money.
Darin Martens
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Natina has a wonderful brown hue spectrum for our concrete project’s desert palette. These solutions help to blend bland gray concrete, which is an eyesore, into our desert landscape for a more natural aesthetic. Being environmentally friendly is another reason Natina Solutions are chosen over other products that are calked full of chemicals, VOC’s, and other environmentally unfriendly ingredients. Natina is inexpensive compared to integral colored concrete, helps us get the perfect color we want every time, and we know it will save the project money.
Rob Loftis
MRWM Landscape Architects
I have worked with Natina for years on many guardrail projects throughout Colorado. My team and I have recommended their steel color because of its natural finish. Natina’s environmental stain is a wonderful color alternative to blend in with Colorado’s beautiful mountains. Natina is easy to work with and we have enjoyed our long relationship.
Cyndi Adams
Adarand Constructors
On our recent multi-modal improvement project in Northern Nevada, we wanted to ensure the metal features blended into the surrounding high desert landscape. Natina was an ideal color option to change the shiny metal pedestrian railings and guard rails into a natural, rustic brown. I recommend Natina Steel Solution for projects that need an aesthetic look and color for galvanized metals.
Barb Santner
Stantec
As a guardrail installer, we see miles and miles of guardrail and have worked with various kinds of companies. Gonzales Construction has worked with Natina on many transportation projects over the years. We recommend Natina Steel Solution to other clients over paint, weathering steel and powder coating. We have only had good experiences with them and top-notch customer service. We will continue to use Natina for all of our galvanized surface needs.
Jeremy Gonzales
Gonzales Construction Company, Inc.
Natina was exactly what we needed at the Phoenix Zoo. At our Visayan warty pig habitat, we were looking for a safe product for this species, plus one that would withstand the harsh climate in Arizona, as well as require little upkeep. Natina was approved by our zoo veterinarians for the enclosure and agreed upon by our operations team for the low maintenance factor. The brown finish blended in well for this exhibit and we are happy with the results.
Joe Wilkes
Phoenix Zoo, Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
We have been using Natina for almost 10 years. They have an extraordinary team supporting us with any questions, orders and logistics. The Natina Rock Solution is environmentally-safe and works great on naturalizing and blending the color into its surroundings. The earthy browns created with Natina help us and our clients' projects look beautiful. We look forward to continuing our exceptional relationship with Natina!
Launa Spendlove
Instant Jungle Landscape
We have used Natina Steel Solutions on several of our cell tower sites to help blend them into the surrounding terrain. We are very impressed with the rustic, natural color. Our clients really appreciate the impact Natina has on the project aesthetics. Natina is a great company to work with, has always met all construction deadlines and is very prompt in getting back to us.
Rusty Lewellen
High Desert Communications
