Last Updated on July 29, 2019
The Lowdown on Which is Better: Wood Balustrade or Stainless Steel Balustrade?
Balustrades or railings are essential features of a house because they provide protection from fall for its residents. Balustrades are commonly known as railings and they are used for staircases and balconies. They come in many different types, the most common being wood and stainless steel. It is often asked which of the two popular materials is better for your home?
There is no clear cut answer because that all depends on the style of your house. Some designs have a more rustic and old world feel that may need wooden balustrades. On the other hand, a more modern design will need stainless steel railings. In the principles of designs, all the elements must merge seamlessly to create unity in the chosen theme, which gives your home its unique character, warmth, and charm. That being said, of course, wood and stainless steel are vastly different materials; and therefore, they have different pros and cons. How do wooden railings stack up against stainless steel?
Wooden Balustrade
This type of balustrade is considered the more traditional material like interior design. They have been used longer and have a more classic feel to them. They bring warmth to your home and are also kept literally warm to the touch even on chilly winter days because wood is not a conductor like metal.
Wooden balustrades, however, are more costly because of the workmanship involved in installing the wood. Crafting each piece also requires more work, with shaping, sanding, and polishing the product. Transportation of the wooden balustrade is also much more delicate because wood can easily crack, scratch, and break.
In addition to those, wood weathers with time and can begin to look older faster as the days go buy. They can also warp and deteriorate faster, especially if used outside. These wooden balustrades can be attacked by pesky critters like termites and wood borers. And because of that, they need costly treatments using chemicals to keep them safe.
Aside from those, wood balustrade maintenance includes continuous and regular polishing to keep them looking pristine. And from time to time, they need to be sanded down and repainted, which is really a tedious job that can disturb the residents of the home.
One other important consideration to think of is the environment. Wood is a natural resource that comes from lovely trees like oak and mahogany. Deforestation is already rampant and it adversely affects the world’s ecology. If you are a proponent of green leaving, then wood balustrades may not be the right choice for you.
Stainless Steel Balustrade
Balustrades made with stainless steel materials are sturdy. Stainless steel is made with a strong metal alloy that does not corrode or rust. Stainless steel is a strong compound that does not weather with nature. It is unaffected by things like water seepage, sunlight exposure, or termite attacks. As a result, stainless steel does not require any expensive chemical maintenance to keep it looking pristine and beautiful.
From time to time, you just need to wipe it down to take away the layer of dust that settles on it. Stainless steel will look just as good as the day it was installed. It is important to look for a good supplier like the Miami Stainless Company to ensure that you will receive a quality product that will last forever.
Stainless steel railings have their own charm, which is perfect for modern and industrial looking types of houses. In fact, they can also be incorporated with traditional designs because they are versatile. The polished and shiny finish of the stainless steel balustrades make them look fancy and luxurious.
That being said, although they look ultra-luxe, these stainless steel railings are not expensive. In fact, they cost a lot less than their wooden counterparts. Since the material used in stainless steel are abundant, and they are manufactured easily, they cost less to produce. On top of that, the installation of these metal balustrades is a breeze. The whole unit can actually be assembled on-site, so aside from saving time and effort, homeowners save on labor costs.
Stainless steel railings are being incorporated into the building and home designs all around the world because they look good and they last long. One other advantage is it does not deplete the natural resources, so you can use these for your properties without any guilt. Enjoy its beauty because it can actually last forever.