Which stainless railing is best?
Stainless Steel is the best material of choice for glass railing systems, but the huge differences in kinds of steel can be surprising. That is what you need to understand for determining the very best material for your following custom railing system project.
In the design and manufacture of stainless railing systems, three forms of steel dominate:
Carbon steel
Grade 304 metal
Grade 316 stainless steel
Whether you choose carbon or stainless for a railing system, you need to take your application and total cost of ownership into account before deciding the material to be used, along with the following factors:
The environment in which the railing system is to be placed,
The amount of traffic the railing is likely to bear,
Expected maintenance level,
Project budget and so on.
Carbon stainless steel railing system
Advantages: rugged, durable, lower prices.
Best for: indoor railing systems
Maintenance: the surface should really be protected with paints and other materials
Carbon steel contains up to 2% carbon and is hard and strong. It is the most inexpensive of the three main steels found in railing systems and is most effective for indoor use with minimal exposure to environmental contaminants.
However, unlike stainless, carbon steel includes a low corrosion resistance, meaning a protective layer is required. The most popular way of protection is powder coating, which prevents corrosion and is available in a number of colors.
Although carbon steel is really a cheap option, it does require regular maintenance to help keep it in optimal condition. The maintenance of the carbon steel railing system includes frequent checks for overall wear, and exposure of bare carbon steel surface should be avoided which can, without proper maintenance, rust and corrode rapidly. Poor maintenance of carbon steel railing systems can result in costly repairs or repaints, and thus should be avoided if the budget is adequate.
For more details check out ventanas de acero inoxidable (stainless steel windows).