Frames
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a steel alloy containing chromium, which forms a thin protective film that resists rust. Shopfronts use it for pull handles, patch fittings, cladding, kick plates, fixings and grilles. Grade 304 suits many inland sites, and grade 316 copes better with coastal air.
Where does it work well?
Door hardware, kick plates, cladding and fixings on busy or coastal frontages, food premises and anywhere hands, trolleys and cleaning chemicals would wear a painted finish, including stall riser facings and projecting sign brackets.
Pros
- No paint finish to chip
- Hard-wearing
- Wipes clean
- Grade 316 resists salt air well
Cons
- Can tea-stain in coastal air if not cleaned
- Shows fingerprints and scratches
- Costs more than painted steel
How long does it last?
Typically very long-lasting, provided the grade suits the location and it is cleaned from time to time.
What should you check when buying?
Specify the grade, because 304 and 316 look alike but behave differently near the sea or road salt. Check the finish, such as brushed or polished, and ask that stainless fixings are isolated from aluminium where the design calls for it.
Common questions
Can stainless steel rust?
Yes, light brown marks can appear, often called tea staining, especially near the coast or where the wrong grade is used. It is usually a surface issue that can be cleaned off, but it should not be left.
What is the difference between grade 304 and 316?
Grade 316 contains molybdenum, which gives better resistance to chlorides from sea air and road salt. Grade 304 costs less and suits many inland uses. The two look the same, so make sure the grade is written on the specification.