02 Sep What Type of Steel Railings is Best?

Steel is one of the most widely used materials in construction and manufacturing processes due to the strength and durability provided by its chemical composition. These characteristics mean that steel has excellent resistance to various types of damage, making it a popular material for outdoor railings.

If you decide to add steel railings to your property, it’s crucial that you take the time to learn about the types of steel available and the different pros and cons they can provide. The steel fabrication experts here at Baker Steel Trading have written this blog post to help you by introducing the three most popular types of steel for railings.

Most Popular Types of Steel Used for Railings

Structural steel fabricators are trained to understand which types of steel are best used for every job they’re asked to complete, and there are many steel options to choose from. Steel railings require a type of steel that has a high level of corrosion resistance and strength.

The three types of railings discussed below are the most popularly used options according to these desired traits, which steel fabrication companies can discuss with you further.

Carbon Steel Railings

Pros:

• One of the biggest reasons that property owners choose for their railings to be made from carbon steel is because of its low price in comparison to the popular alternatives, making it a very affordable option.
• Railings are often added to a property to increase security, so the product’s strength is vital. As an alloy, up to 2% of this type of steel’s structure is carbon, which makes the railings stronger.

Cons:

• Carbon steel doesn’t naturally offer as much corrosion resistance as the other varieties included in the blog post. Still, if you choose this type of steel, this issue can be resolved by adding a protective element (such as a powder coating) to the railings.
• Carbon steel requires regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure there’s no damage to the coating. If water gets into the steel, the railings will begin to corrode, which will eventually affect the durability of the handrails and reduce the benefits of carbon steel.

304-Grade Stainless Steel Railings

Pros:

• This type of steel is popular for outdoor railings because of how well its corrosion resistance compares to alternatives, such as carbon steel.
• 304-grade stainless steel typically contains between 16-24% chromium, as well as carbon, manganese and nickel, all of which contribute to the excellent level of corrosion resistance.
• Apart from regularly polishing the surface of the railings to preserve the steel’s corrosion resistance, which also helps maintain the visual appeal of the railings, very little maintenance is necessary for this type of steel handrail.

Cons:

• Steel fabrication companies won’t suggest this type of steel for a set of railings if your property is located in a coastal area. This is because the higher levels of salt in the air by the sea dramatically reduce the corrosion resistance that comes with 304-grade stainless steel railings.
  

316-Grade Stainless Steel Railings

Pros:

• 316-grade stainless steel offers all of the previously mentioned 304-grade steel benefits but with a higher level of corrosion resistance. This is due to the higher nickel content included in the material and the addition of molybdenum to the alloy, meaning they’re even suitable for use in coastal areas.
• This higher level of corrosion resistance means that 316-grade stainless steel railings have the lowest maintenance costs of any type of steel in this blog post.

Cons:

• The higher level of resistance that comes with 316-grade stainless steel means that railings made from this alloy are more expensive than the alternatives in this blog post. However, if low maintenance and corrosion resistance are your main priorities, these steel railings could be the best option for you and your property.
  

Benefits of Using a Steel Fabrication Company

Whichever carbon and stainless steel option you choose to craft your railings from, your property will benefit from the many advantages of using steel railings. Experienced steel fabrication companies like Baker Steel Trading can work with you to understand what you need from railings in your property and create a great addition to your home or commercial property.

Our experienced structural steel fabricators can turn a basic handrail design into something more personalised to you, creating a stunning design using steel fabrication processes such as welding and joining. Whatever you need from your steel railings, Baker Steel Trading are here to help.

Order Steel Railings Online

If you’re struggling to decide which type of steel handrail is best for you, use the advice above and consider the location where it will be used, the level of maintenance you’re happy to apply, and the budget that you have. Contact the steel fabrication experts at Baker Steel Trading today if you’re interested in adding steel railings to your property or have any questions.