The high amounts of chromium and molybdenum present in SS as well as lower amounts of carbon make stainless steel the best metallic finish solution for a corrosion resistant railing. The final factor to consider is the cost of the materials.
Stainless steel commands a much higher market price than aluminum does, putting it out of budget for many projects. Aluminum is far more commodified and thus cheaper to obtain than stainless steel, making it a more prevalent option for most railing projects. For more information check out our cable railing cost guide. In many residential and commercial applications, aluminum is the most cost-effective solution for your railing posts. Just make sure to not sacrifice the performance of stainless steel where you need it, such as in highly corrosive environments or in areas that need additional strength.
Call Now Or get online Customer Support. See Cable Railing. Related Topics. Design Help. Steel is the sort that wears work boots and does repairs around the house on the weekends. Aluminum wears skinny jeans and shows up at the local hipster coffee shop around noon for a cappuccino. Steel is the old veteran that has been around for awhile, while aluminum is exciting in its unfamiliarity.
There are benefits of aluminum deck railings as well as drawbacks, and it all depends on the context, as well as your priorities for your railing. Winter — and the elements that come with it like cold air, snow and ice — can be harsh on you and your home.
It can be especially harsh on the exterior elements of your home and property, like metal railings. The cold in northern climates can cause structural changes in metals at the molecular level.
Steel becomes less flexible as temperatures plunge, and it has a point of failure called the ductility to brittleness transition point. This failure can cause major damage and has even been linked to the sinking of the Titanic! The good news is that steel-making has improved since that era. Aluminum does the exact opposite.
In cold weather, aluminum actually gets stronger. This is because it has a completely different molecular arrangement than steel. This means that it expands a bit more when warm and shrinks a bit more in the cold.
Therefore, an aluminum railing will end up a bit looser on its mounts during cold months than it was when it was installed. Still, both are strong contenders and are likely to make it through the snowy round to a sunnier day.
In the South, homes and their railings face different challenges. It can be difficult to choose building materials for hot and humid climates where the sun threatens to fades everything and the air is thick with moisture. At first glance, aluminum seems to have the advantage. Not so fast. Choosing the right metal for handrails can be confusing. Railing components and systems are available in a wide variety of metals, including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, and wrought iron.
With all these options, what are the most important factors to consider in selecting metal handrails? First, decide what you need the fence to accomplish. Are you providing safety for an industrial or commercial installation or security around a property?
You will need a sturdy metal fence that can stand up to the environment. On the other hand, you may be looking for an attractive, aesthetically pleasing handrail to complement the design of a home or office building. You can choose between traditional steel railings or go with aluminum, which offers some benefits over steel. For a more upscale look, you also may want to consider brass, stainless, or wrought iron fencing. Steel handrails can be painted, but will need to be stripped and repainted every few years, due to rust, which is not only unsightly, but also can lead to structural damage, such as bent or broken posts.
Steel is much heavier than aluminum, and costs more to transport and install. Aluminum railings are easier to handle and can be cut to size with a miter saw. Aluminum fencing components, such as Hollaender Speed Rail fittings , are an easy, convenient way to install metal pipe railings of any size or cross-section.
The fittings can be used with galvanized carbon steel, stainless steel, black iron, or aluminum pipe, with no electrolytic corrosion.
They can be slipped on and tightened down with a hex key — no welding required — and they can be disassembled and re-used. Stainless steel is strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant, with very low maintenance requirements.
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